Wow, I had no idea what the capability of a blog was, let alone how widely used they are. The possibilities of what can be done with a blog are endless, both educationally and personally.
Since students are embracing blogs outside of school setting, why not use it in the classroom? There are many potential benefits, students writing and communicating with one another in a non-threatening environment, the potential for instant feedback from teachers and reaching students in a way that if familiar to them.
There are many avid readers at Merton Williams, I would like to create a blog that will celebrate reading and give those students a voice about what they read, their opionions and recommendations.
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3 comments:
I have been reluctant to use blogs in the classroom, but after viewing Lori Burch's daughter's site classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=5911, i see what is possible. I agree with you that it is a good way to reach students on their own terms, ground that is familiar to them. I hope that I can start using blogging for the purpose of reader responses, too.
I see a purpose for using a blog differently with every classmates post in our class. Angela mentions using one for a type of book review. Perfect! This is a way to get the individual students thoughts on a certain book. Everyone has different opinions. As I stated in the post on my blog, students are given the opportunity to write something anonymously, maybe not going with the popular opinion, without the fear of being shunned for it. Especially for students (no names or just initials) can be given for the post. Maybe their insight would be enlightening! After all, at one point in time, only some thought the world was round!
Great point, using what kids already use outside of school. Your focus on avid readers has me thinking about those same students in elementary grades who are so far above guided reading groups and may or may not a challenging book in a lit study group. An advanced reading book blog might just fit the bill!
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