A classroom blog is a great way for students to share their ideas and thoughts about topics discussed in class. Having experience teaching middle school students I know they are all on the social networking sites, like Facebook and Twitter, so they already have exposure to the technology. They share their feelings and express themselves on those social network sites, so I think that a class blog would pose as a very similar atmosphere.
The main idea behind a class blog however, would be more of a straight forward approach for students and have a common theme to go along with it. For instance, a teacher may pose a question or questions for students (daily or weekly) and then they would respond to the questions as a comment that all subscribers (or users) would be able to read.
The classroom blog is a great place for students to interact about content and even a place for them to post questions, comments and answers amongst each other. I feel that is is important that they have a place to express their thoughts and questions about what they are learning about. The classroom blog may offer extra help to them so they can better understand the material by "talking" about it in a less conventional, classroom setting.
The most obvious question that teachers have about a classroom blog is probably how are they able to monitor content and appropriate usage among students. I would recommend using it more for question and answer opportunities that would be LED by the teacher. For example, a great way to get students using the blog would be to have a question to respond to each week. Post a question on Monday for all students to read and then have them respond to it by Thursday of the same week so that the question could be discussed in class on Friday. A teacher could then take that as a homework grade for class and they would have one each week.
The classroom blog could really enhance a class lesson by allowing students a little more freedom. As students become more familiar with the blog posting and a teacher feels comfortable opening up the forum some, students could be given more privileges. The blog could be a place where students write follow up questions to assignments or content being covered in the classroom. Students could write reflection journals each week about their progress with the content or share what they have enjoyed learning in class.
Classroom blogs will open up a world of technology to the students. They will be able to correspond with one another and their teacher all through this one forum. Many schools have technology available for student use throughout the day so those students who do not have Internet access at home should have no problem with participation. A simple blog post each week can engage the students and help them become more familiar with technology. Teachers that integrate technology into their classroom will help prepare students for their future in the 21st century workforce.
Katie Grote
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