Blogging in classrooms?

I believe that blogging can be a very useful tool in classrooms. Some general uses of blogs and the benefits of incorporating this technology are listed below.

- Blogs can be used as an administration tool (like a class webpage with easy access for both students and parents).
- They allow for centralized discussion with opportunity for everyone to contribute their ideas. It is a way to connect to students who are not necessarily comfortable speaking in class (this is not to say that it should replace classroom discussions). Also, it allows for viewing of the linear progression of the discussion.
- Blogs can be used as a publication tool. It allows the teacher and students to publish their work in a way that allows for numerous others to read it and give feedback. Similarly, it can be used as a student portfolio which allowing for a centralized collection of works which are easily available to be viewed by anyone who has access.
- It is also a meaningful opportunity to both read and write. As posts are available to other students and peers, it promotes pride of work.

In addition to this, blog sites are an easy way to facilitate communication on the internet. Setting up a site requires minimal technical knowledge (as opposed to building a website) and is easily created and maintained. Blogger.com advertises their “Push-Button Publishing.”

Links supporting blogging in classrooms:
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/bloggingtech/index.htm
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47



While researching the usage of blogs in grade 12 English classes, I discovered many ways in which they have been integrated into real classrooms. Two of my favourite sites are below.


"Mrs. C's Senior English Blogs"
http://mtnbrookseniors.blogspot.com/

Mrs. C uses this blog as a discussion and publication tool. Her “rules” at the top of the page are as follows:

“Every week you will be expected to post at least two comments to this blog. Feel free to post your own ideas or comment on mine. All posts must be relevant to class discussions and assignments. Please mind your manners and use this spot for interesting discourse. Have fun this last semester of your senior year!”

Posts include antidotes, stories, or topics relating to the school or world in general (ex. Drug Free Week, war, terrorism, etc). All topics stem ideas and allow for student thought and reflection. She also brings blog topics back to the classroom which promotes further discussion while allowing students to be able to formulate their thoughts beforehand. In addition, duplicated responses do not get marked (which encourages independent thinking).

This site appears to be a very good way to spark discussion, develop thinking about world topics and it promotes writing with a purpose.


"Mrs. Huff's English Classes"
http://class.huffenglish.com/

This blog is used for all of Mrs. Huff’s English classes (grades 9-12). It is mostly used as an administrative tool: posts are directed to both students and parents with reminders of due dates, projects and feedback on specific classes. She also writes posts which have interesting links, posts articles and gives helpful hints (ex. tips for note taking).

Her site works as an easy and effective communication tool. As both students and parents are involved, it encourages everyone to be involved.

If I were to use blogs in my classroom, I would use the following ideas to ensure student safety.

- Discuss safe and acceptable procedures for online authorship in blogs. Both school policy and common sense dictates this. Also, students should be reminded not to use full names or email addresses.
- Many sites allow for restricted access to blogs. Access should only be granted to teachers, class members, parents and possibly approved others.
- Have open communication! Ongoing discussions of safety, as well as transfer of web discussions back to the classroom setting are very important.