Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Using Blogs in the classroom
When I was trying to decide on how to use blogging in the classroom. I had to really think about how I would use it and then second would I even be able to use it because of the restrictions on using school computers. Then I thought about how blogging is similar to other forms of technology that the school system already uses. How different is it than email or powerschool where parents can log in and check their child's grades, or what about the schools website where parents, students and even strangers can go to a teachers website and read about the teacher or what is happening in their classroom and leave messages. So with that in mind I decided that I would start out by using it as a tool to post class-related information such as events and homework assignments and use it as a way to communicate with parents. If that goes well I would like to use blogging as way for my students to showcase writing prompts that are required once a month and then let their classmates score the writing by using the 6+1 trait writing rubric and leave comments for each other on how to improve or let them know which area they did well. I think this would be a way for the students to be able to see good examples of writing and also be able to see where they could make improvements in their own writing.
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I am discovering that there are a lot of restrictions on how computer are used at my school. Any sites related to blogs are blocked through our network security. This may be something you want to check into also if you haven't already. You make a valid point about the how technology of blogs is similiar to that of other forms your school already utilizes. Our network administrator will filter a blog that I create so students can view it. Therefore, I also plan to begin using a blog as a classroom portal or communication center. Perhaps after I demonstrate the value of the blog in this manner, I may be able to allow my students to set up blogs.
ReplyDeleteI think that using blogs for students to develop their writing skills with the 6+1 writing traits is a great idea. The discussions that your students could have regarding each others blogs could be very valuable. I would like to share your idea with the English dept at my school as I know they are using the 6+1 traits also.
Hi Gayla,
ReplyDeleteYour idea of using the blog as a showcase for displaying student's work is wonderful. I am also thinking of uploading examples of my students' partial project work. I am concerned how this will affect our classwork and the time that must be allotted to teaching students how to use the software required for uploading their work or creating their own blogs. Do you have technical support available at your school to solve problems that will certainly arise with the hardware?
Miriam
Hi Gayla,
ReplyDeleteUsing blogs to communicate with parents is a great way to involve parents in their children’s lives. Moreover, using blogs to respond to writing prompts enhances critical thinking and teaches students how to reflect on others’ writings. Nevertheless, with your plan you are teaching your students to be teachers themselves. However, the most important thing is for your students to have access to the internet.
I have similar IT issues in my district and many blogging sites are blocked or all of sudden become blocked from one day to the next. Certainly it is possible to post class information from home but it is sad that school network security is so strick that it prevents teachers from using technology that is beneficial to students and parents. We are even prevented from having a school extranet for parent access to teacher webpages. That is nice that at least you have some possibility of having blogs opened up for your use. Our school system did purchase a student e-mail system and a blog tool is included with that so I'm hopeful that blogging still can be utilized. It does not have as many features as some of the free blogging sites out there but at least it is a start.
ReplyDeleteGayla,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea about having the students respond to each others' writing using a rubric. I assume you will train them on using the rubric first. I do similar activities right now in the classroom but find that students are reluctant to give serious feedback to each other, even when I give them a handout to fill in specific information. Maybe my materials are not clear enough, or my approach lacks something. What do you do to train the students in giving feedback to each others' writing? Do you have any resources you recommend?
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteMy school district uses the 6+1 writing rubric. The first thing I do is explain all of the areas and give examples of each. Then I read some of the students writings aloud and let the students decide what score to give the paper. I do not tell who wrote it, however if the student that wrote it wants to claim it than they are welcome to do so. If I disagree with the score they give I have them justify their reasons for giving it the score they gave. It takes lots of practice but eventually they will get it. Later on in the year after all of our required writings are done each student has to pick a writing they think is the best and score it and tell why they scored it the way they did. I hope this helps, please let me know. Thanks for your response.
Gayla