Put simply, blogging is an “easily created, easily updateable Website that allows an author (or authors) to publish instantly to the Internet from any Internet connection”. But blogs differ from ordinary sites in that they are made up of reflections and conversations that may be updated every day. As Richardson so clearly says, blogs demand interaction (Richardson 17-18). But, the question remains, do blogs really have a place in the classroom. More specifically, do they have a place in my 8th grade social studies classroom?
As I asked myself this question, I decided to research blogs in classrooms online to see what other people were saying about it. I first started researching how other people started blogging in the classroom. Helena Echlin wrote a great article on steps teachers should take in creating a blog in the classroom. She really helped me in tacking the issue of whether or not blogs had a place in the classroom because she specifically listed reasons why blogs would work in a classroom. For example, she states that blogs can be used for classroom management, like posting assignments and summarizing what occurred in class that day, or as an online notebook, a venue for classroom discussion, and an opportunity for students to express themselves personally. Echlin goes further to give examples of good sites to help set up class blogs, like Blogger.com or edublogs.org. Finally, Echlin cites an example lesson plan on how to write constructive comments in a blogging community which was perfect for my classroom because it was an eighth grade lesson plan and clearly instructs students on how to construct an appropriate response to a blog.
My research also showed me that integrating technology in the classroom is happening everywhere and is being encouraged even by state governments. When researching blogs in Pennsylvania classrooms specifically, I came across this article that speaks about initiatives that the Pennsylvania state government are taking to make technology an integral part of the school community. This article specifically sited the School District of Jenkintown, and how they have been using an online portal to implement blogs, wikis, and other Web 2.0 tools.
All of those ideas and examples really convinced me that blogging did have a place in the classroom; however, it wasn’t until I read an article by Frank Catalano that I realized the true power of blogs in classrooms. Catalano describes a school in San Francisco that truly embraces blogging. When asking a teacher why he used blogs in the classroom, the response was that he wanted to make his classroom available beyond the classroom doors. The school uses blogs for countless things, such as connecting with other classrooms around the country and communicating with parents. I feel like this district exemplifies why blogging should be used in schools today.
Overall, research on the Internet is overwhelmingly in support of blogging in the classroom. Incidentally, while I was doing my research I found a very good site that has the top 100 education blogs today. It was further proof that blogs really do have a place in the education community, whether students or teachers utilize it.
From my research on blogging in the classroom, I know that blogging is important in education for several reasons. First of all, blogging provides an opportunity for students to express themselves in a way that isn’t possible in the ordinary classroom. As Richardson states, blogs are a constructivist tool for learning and foster deeper analysis and understanding of a certain topic (27-28). Moreover, blogs provide those students who do not normally speak in class a perfect opportunity to express their opinions and comment on other’s thoughts. Finally, I believe that blogging encourages discussion among students and holds students somewhat more accountable for their work since their students will be reading and commenting on their work. This not only encourages students to work harder on their work, but also takes learning outside the classroom.
How Will the Issue Affect Me as an:
Effective Internet Miner:
My students and I could find the class blog very easily. First of all, students would need to create an account at www.blogger.com
Integrator:
Using a blog will definitely enhance my classroom. I already have several ideas that will enhance student learning. First, I want students to post a blog on a current event issue once a week that is of interest to them and somehow relates back to my class. Students would then be expected to comment on other student’s posts. I also have several classroom debates and a blog would be a great brainstorming tool for students to generate ideas for the debate and comment on other student’s positions and ideas. Next, having students take on different personas and blogging as if they were a figure from history would definitely provide deeper understanding and analysis of the course material. In sum, there are countless ways in which blogging will enhance my teaching and student learning. To be honest, I am still brainstorming ways in which I will use blogs, but there are a few ideas that I definitely plan on trying next school year.
Policy Advisor:
Before I even start specifically talking about how I am going to use blogging in my classroom, I would have a brief introduction to what blogging is and a lesson on appropriate etiquette and commenting online. Next, I would dedicate a portion of Back to School Night to show parents how to set up accounts and review the purpose for implementing such a tool in the classroom. Students and parents would then be expected to sign an agreement that clearly states the expectations and rules of the students. This would be viewed as a sort of a “contract” between students and the teacher. Bud the Teacher posted great examples from each of his classes on what they came up with for a blogger contract as a class.
Clearly, blogging will greatly increase the use of Internet in my classroom. Therefore, along with my Blogging Contract, I will review and expect students to follow my district’s AUP.
Producer:
Right now, I have several different ideas about how I am going to put this all together so that my students have success with it. But overall, I think I need to start the school year with explaining the purpose and rules of blogging to students and parents. From there, I plan on having students create a blogger account, and log onto my blog and simply post comments and get the students familiar with the “blogosphere.” I think that modeling is extremely important here, especially when many students will be inexperienced with blogging. Next, I will have students start working on their own blogs by posting current event reactions once a week. Around November is when I plan on using the blog as a bigger element in a lesson and give the students more leeway with their blogs. Just to clarify, I don’t plan on using the blog for one single lesson; rather, I plan on using it throughout the year as a sort of electronic portfolio.
References
Catalano, Frank. "Why Blog?" The Journal. 10 June 2008
Echlin, Helena. "Digital Discussion: Take Your Class to the Internet." Edutopia. 10 June 2008
"Galileo Web." Galileo Academy of Science and Technology. 10 June 2008
Nagel, Dave. "Pennsylvania Rolls Out Interactive Technologies to 231 Districts." The Journal. 10 June 2008
Richardson, Will. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks: Corwin P, 2006.
"Student Created Blog Policies." Bud the Teacher. 10 June 2008
"Technology Policy." Central Bucks School District. 10 June 2008
"The DrakePond." Jenkintown School District. 10 June 2008
"Top 100 Education Blogs." Online Education Database. 10 June 2008
1 comment:
Dan, Here is a link to Konrad Glogowski’s blog . He has done some great research/work with implementing blogs. I think you will find him useful.
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