There are so many Web 2.0 Tools that it is hard to even think of most of them. This week, we are focusing on several of the ones that I think have application in the classroom. I love the blog with the teacher posting information or food for thought and the students respond...I think that students like to be asked what they think, even if they do not expound on it the way we would like. It is surely a good way to get them to write. Remember that you need to give them pretty detailed descriptions/examples of appropriate posts...you could even consider giving them a rubric for grading so they would know exactly what you expect. A blog like this one is very appropriate for adults and some older students. A blog like the one on Pow-Pak is great for schools as it is easy to use and the teacher must approve any comments before they will be published. This guarantees that you will not find inappropriate comments on your blog.
I am really going to try to keep writing this blog a couple times a week...I plan to use it as a journal of sorts. Hope I can stay with it!
I agree with students wanting to voice what they like. The rubric and instruction on appropriate posts are a must for my students. It is also another way, lesson, to show students how to voice their thoughts, knowledge and opinions appropriately.
ReplyDeleteAll of my students would like to give their opinion and sometimes time does not allow for this. Creating a blog would allow the students an opportunity. I like the Pow-Pak because the teacher approves first.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how well a blog would work with first graders. I would like to see it in action. I'm in agreement that the teacher needs to approve first and I do think it is a great way for kids to voice their opinions. This is all so new to me that I'm not even sure if I am correctly responding to this blog.
DeleteLeane, you are fine! You can write whatever you like here, and you are certainly on topic! For first grade, perhaps they might work on writing a sentence as class activity, then let them type it into the blog to post. Might make their "writing" more fun! You might also find this to be a good way to give hints to parents about how to help their children at home.
DeleteI really like the idea that my students can collaborate and have meaningful conversation on a blog spot! Often, my students are very opinionated and I would like them to practice communicating in a clear and appropriate manner. This is why I'm pleased to learn that Pow-Pak allows the teacher to approve posts first.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of blogging and I agree that Pow-Pak is a great way to do it at the elementary level. Here is a resource I found for some ideas for how to use a blog in the classroom. Web 2.0 in the Classroom: 33 Ways to Use Blogs in Your Classroom and in the Educational Setting http://web20intheclassroom.blogspot.com/2008/10/ways-to-use-blogs-in-your-classroom-and.html
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have students blog more using my PowPak, but time gets in the way. I need every student to have a computer to do it the way I want to. One can dream, can't he? One thing I have noticed about my students is that their spelling, capitalization, and grammar are worse when blogging than when writing on a sheet of paper.
ReplyDelete