I think that blogs are pretty cool things. This blog, a professional one that I started a few years ago, allows me to post some of my ideas and opinions about Ed tech and specific topics/tools. I also use it to show my online students (who are teachers) what a blog looks like, how to use one, and why blog.
There are loads of ways that blogs have really become a mainstream tool in recent years. When I see "hits" on searches I do for Ed tech or other educational topics, I always find myself on people's blogs-most of which are pretty religious about posting (I wish I was, but am not at this point of my life).
When I am looking at posts on my Linked In groups, many of them take me to blogs. There is so much to learn from them. I know a family who did a blog when they accompanied their daughter to the London Summer Olympics, which was so cool to really hear the details. Another dear young friend of mine and her husband just welcomed their first baby a few weeks ago...they started a blog a couple months ago to keep family and friends updated on the pending arrival..and now I am getting to see all the pictures and stories about Addison Elizabeth, even though she lives in Chesapeake VA.
Why would I use a blog with students? Simple answer-to get them to write...to get them to respond to an idea or a prompt...to get them to communicate! A blog can be tailored to whatever you want it to be...that is cool, and students like to write on them. Any subject area and topic can be used!
Did any of you keep a diary when you were younger? A blog is really a 21st century diary that you choose NOT to lock and keep secrets in, but rather share information and ideas with others.
What do you think? How might you use a blog? Click Comment and write your ideas!
Very nice Jan. I do like to communicate using the web. Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with my relatives that live away from me. I did keep a diary as a young girl which was many, many years ago. Blogging would be great with my students. As you said, just to get them to write and communicate.
ReplyDeleteI think students would be very engaged with blogs because of the use of technology. Students these days seem to like to text and twitter, and blogging would allow the student to reflect their ideas and thoughts in a post rather than on paper. In the classroom I would use blogging with read alouds and have students reflect their thoughts after reading a story. In Social Studies and Science I would use it with a prompt and have students reflect their answers. In Math I would have students explain Math strategies or different ways to solve Math problems.
ReplyDeleteI really like Blogs. I do find that they suck me in and I tend to lose time when I get started so I have to be careful. I think Blogs are a great idea for students. I am signed into a Blog currently about one of the teaching assistants in our district who is battling cancer and her family updates everyone and allows us to give support without overwhelming her.
ReplyDeleteI also like blogging but have been more active on the reading side rather than the writing I implemented a reading unit last year and had the students blog on my webpage. They were resistant because it was writing. While several of them did become engaged, some remained resistant. I am trying this year with a microphone and having those students who are so resistant to writing give their thoughts orally. Whose to say that blogs have to be written, right?
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I am not much of a "Blogger" Yet times are changing and I should give it a try. To be honest, I really worry about doing this with my students. I would have to stand over them and watch everything they write. I have a class this year that just won't stop name calling or bullying. To me, it sounds like it would explode into a disaster. Maybe after I get comfortable with blogging I could try it with my students.
ReplyDeleteI am going to start small. With my book club on our next book. I am trying to come up with ways to create a "product" which the administration wants, yet prevent the kids from feeling like it is just another class. Besides, if we do it together, they can feel good about teaching me.
ReplyDeleteAnn Stone-Meyer
I am not a blogger myself, nor do I read blogs. I can see where they might be helpful with connecting people of similar interests, but the fact that they can be viewed by everyone? I am a pretty private person, so I like sticking to private phone calls, emails, etc. where I get to choose who hears, reads, sees, etc. As far as blogging with my students? I tend to agree with Ms. Harasyn. If I could pick just a select few, it would probably work, but I don't think you could single certain kids out who would ruin it for the whole.
ReplyDeleteJust to be sure you understand why I use lots of blogs-it is strictly professional. I like to see what others in my field are successfully doing, and I like to add positively to my digital footprint. If I were to apply for a job as a consultant in Ed Tech (which I am), I need to have a footprint that attests to the fact that I know what I am doing and am an active learner and collaborator. I am NOT sharing personal information! For students, there is a blog on Pow-Pak that the teacher must approve, edit, or delete all student comments, so it is very safe.
DeleteThe fact that someone can respond at their leisure, and not be pressured to do it 'NOW' helps with blogging. Another aspect that I like is that there is no audience for the input, but after . . . it is the world!! Students don't seem to feel confident enough about blogging, but I'm going to put it to the test. Open ended questions can't go wrong!! You're right about Pow-pak, and that's what I liked about it; students didn't really seem to care---once they saw that theirs wasn't published. I'll make that requirement. They believed that they answered the blog and that was the assignment; whether they were published or not didn't seem to phase them.
ReplyDeleteI understand that Pow-Pak is going to be eliminated soon, so I will be on a mission to find something similar to replace it for the purpose of blogging. Even if you use Blogspot (this one), as the owner, you can delete any comment, so that helps...
DeleteJan
Well, I'm still on the fence about blogs. I suppose I'm okay with reading a few here and there but as for having my own I don't feel like that's "me." I'm with Theresa, I consider myself a private person and I'm not comfortable sharing with the whole world...or at least with people outside of my family and friends circle; I only have 50 friends on Facebook. And then again I agree with Virginia of perhaps starting small. If I get enough nerve and maybe survey my students to see how they would feel about reading and commenting on a class blog. If it looks like something that may work who knows maybe I'll give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI really wanted you all to think about an educational blog for your students (maybe a parent posting sometimes) to get them writing...not to publicize your personal info! Eeek! That is not me on Facebook either! My kids tell me I am a "Creeper" as I read others, occasionally hit Like, but don't post personal stuff...
DeleteI would love to be able to easily communicate with the parents/guardians of my students. It would keep them upto with their progress and behavior issues. I can stay informed of what may be going on at home to interfere with their learning. I like blogging for writing and sharing ideas. Dottie
DeleteI am not a blogger but I am sure that my students would to have this form of communication. They love the computer. This will give my students the opportunity to share their work and comments. I have to start> I do believe I signed up on blogspot with the science teachers sharing information. I do use facebook but I do share personal information. I have been a regular on facebook, but not recently-too much information from people I do not know. Blogging will be another form of assessment for me. It will help me to plan for my students. Do I need to review, give more examples, or move on to the next lesson? This will also be another communication tool for parents as well. Blogging has its advantages for education. VSims
ReplyDeleteI think I can comment now. I think a blog is a great idea!! You can express how you are feeling about any topic and your friends can give you feedback. I think an educational blog is a great idea. I like the idea of communicating with your students and other staff members. You can give lessons to students who want work ahead and post dates and information for them to read. With a large school district, I think a blog is great for communication common goals and concerns.
ReplyDeleteI would use blogging to learn from others comments as well as my students. To allow students to openly reflect, we see what they learn, and they can learn from each other. It is a great way to write and share ideas. Yes JodiP, there are students who love working ahead and this would be perfect for them. Dottie
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