To Blog ... is connecting

M Smith ECOMP 5004 A#3
I am not an avid user of blogs myself, but in the article Blog-on by Catherine Poling, the uses of blogging for updating staff, collaboration between teachers and students, and having the ability for students to add to discussions without peer pressure appear to be just a few uses for this tool. I think I would start with using it as a online homework portal, then expand to collaborative assignments as my students grew used to the tool. What an easy way for students to publish their work, in a safe space.

To Blog or Not to Blog - Geordie Mitchell

The resources for this posting are certainly not impartial, but do provide ample evidence in support of blogging.  To me, the idea that blogging extends the conversation outside of the classroom is the most compelling argument. In this way, students have the chance to think about concepts and ideas and to reflect on what transpired in class before responding.  They also have time to reflect on what other classmates have written and the time to carefully craft a response that says exactly what they want it to say. It is this extension of the conversation that has contributed to the flipped classroom idea. There are many other important reasons to consider blogging from a pedagogical standpoint including student engagement and the ability to learn how to offer and accept feedback.  However, the reasons that resonate most with me have to do with learning style.  Students who are quiet, students who need to think before responding, and students who prefer to express themselves with other media all can be well-served by a blog.

Given the partiality of the readings, what are the downsides?  Time seems to be a big one.  With more writing (which would be the sign of a successful endeavor in language arts) comes more work for the teacher.  Given the nature of a blog, the teacher is likely not only to have to read more writing, but students expect more comments and feedback.  Blogging will also demand more classroom time, at least at start up, as students need to be trained how to use the technology and how to offer constructive comments.  Another real concern is access.  Is your school set up to provide access?  Even if it is, it might be dangerous to assume that all students have access from home?  If not, some students will be at a significant disadvantage if blog posts are part of the assessment unless time is allotted in class.  Even then, it is not an even playing field unless the blog is restricted after hours.

The benefits of blogs far outweigh the disadvantages except for equal access for all students.  Without it, certain students will be disadvantaged.  

Blog Away!

Our class began a blog last year chronicling our garden project. The kids brainstormed what should be included, typed and uploaded the entries, added pictures, and shared it with their parents and relatives.

This year, they will continue the garden blog and add a second, which will be about our class guinea pig, Mo.

I had a chance to see Will Richardson speak at a conference last year, and even had the opportunity to walk the streets of Detroit with him (not stalker style) at the end of the day. What is so striking about his message is its simplicity: get technology into the hands of students. I like his statement about tech being the grammar of their lives, and see first hand how kids enjoy being part of what's published out their on the Internet.

It’s so simple to start a class blog. The kids have done all maintenance and remind me if too much time has gone by between posts. My favorite part about the blog is seeing how they put into practice all they’ve learned about writing. We do word study mini-lessons 3-4 times a week, and so many of these have popped up in their written descriptions of the garden. I’m looking forward to seeing what a class can do with a blog that starts in the fall.

To Blog or Not To Blog...

As I consider using a blog in my classroom, my initial reaction is to be concerned about hosting a classroom blog and the need to monitor it closely.  Our school is very strict about communicating with students outside of the school.  All blog sites are blocked via our firewall and we have had to sign an agreement indicating that we don't communicate with students electronically during their school years and up to 2 years after graduation (except via our SAU email address).  In addition to our school requirements, other worries which crossed my mind are - Will students take it seriously?  Will they be kind to one another on the blog?  Will it create problems?  Will I have the stamina to keep it going as we move along in the curriculum?

After reading the articles and thinking about various uses of a blog in my class, I feel this could be a good tool to use.  Several advantages to use a class blog are:

1.  Students will enjoy it because it matters.  The work is viewed by their peers – they will feel the peer pressure of doing a good job because others will view it.  I expect that they would want to get it “right”.  By communicating by writing, this provides additional practice.  I am not an English/Language Arts instructor, but believe firmly that we need to write often to improve.  Lastly, if their work is missing, it will be noticed by the group.
2. The blog can serve as a reference tool.  Students have the opportunity to look up previous information and refer to it as needed. In addition, students are able to assist each other in their learning.  Students may have a different explanation or method that may make sense to someone else. 
3.  A sense of community should develop by encouraging everyone to participate and communicate in a way that they are pretty familiar with already (texting) in public view. 
4.  Reduce repeated questions via email.   I am always available to students via email for questions, comments, etc.  I think it would be more efficient to use a blog for questions and discussions because it may eliminate the need for duplicated emails.
5. I can see where this will engage learners and also provide a space for “Reluctant Learners” who just need additional time to process a class discussion and would like to contribute later on – or to seek answers to questions which arise from the day.  

My opinion about blogging is that it definitely can be a positive experience for my students.  As long as students are responsible with it, I see this as a wonderful learning opportunity for them in many ways.

A.Shepler - To Blog or Not To Blog?

To Blog or Not to Blog?

            Before completing the readings this week, I, like several others in the class, had not considered using a blog for my classroom. However, I think my opinion may have changed this week. I like the idea of having a blog as a living document for my classroom. Students can read for information and contribute to the class "discussion" and then refer back to the blog in the future in case they forget information. Students who are not physically in class can also benefit from blogs because they can contribute from home, the hospital or wherever they happen to be.
            I also had not considered using a blog for teacher collaboration. I like the idea of having a technology blog for teachers like the elementary school in MD. Every teacher in the building doesn't have the same planning and sometimes meeting after school can be difficult given everyone's busy schedule. Having a blog where teachers can contribute information at their leisure is a great way to bounce ideas off each other and learn new techniques!

Blogging Thoughts

I am teaching a new technology class this year and have thought about using a blog but was not sure if a blog would be an effective tool for my students. I found a lot of information that was helpful especially the article from teachersfirst.com. I like the idea of parents commenting on their own students’ blogs and think that would be an effective tool for parents to see what their students are doing. However if a parent does not have access to the internet that could pose a problem also there are a lot of parent who are not as computer literate as their students so I am not sure how many parents would actually go and do that. 

Blogs can be a useful tool for students and can be considered like an online journal but in the article by Jeff Utecht “Blogs Are Not Our Enemy” the article stated that blogs are not just about writing but also about communicating. I had not thought about this before but I can see how using blogs can help with student’s communications skills. I like how he stated “If you are blogging with your students, or thinking of blogging with your students, I encourage you to not think of blogs as writing assignments, but instead as conversations that invite feedback from a variety of quarters on any topic.”

After reading the articles and watching the video, I am going to incorporate a blog assignment into my technology class but I do want it to more than just another writing assignment. There were so many different ideas that I read about that I am sure I will be able to come up with an engaging assignment and not just for my technology class but hopefully for my other classes as well.

Mary Budzinski: Keep on Blogging

Blogging opens a whole new world of wonderful resources for students to experience. First, their writings are geared for others to read, which includes students, teachers and parents. Because of this  most students tend to want to have their views read and like this week’s article,  Giving Reluctant Students a Voice,  by Reynold Redekopp and Elizabeth Bourbonniere, reminds us that students who reject entering a class discussion because they might feel uncomfortable to speak or introverted, actually add significant input to blogs.  Additionally, I think when students blog, they are individually inspired to contemplate and feel free to express their thoughts, with the anticipation of feedback from their peers.

The slideshare which was included in the website, Using Blogging in the Elementary Classroom was extremely interesting, especially the presentation on Blogging in the Classroom, by Lindsay Powers. What I found encouraging were the ideas she provided on using blogs as sites for a class to publish a book and create special student blogs which would keep parents informed about activities in the class and school.

Author, Jeff Utecht makes a good point in his article, Blogs are Not the Enemy, by highlighting the idea that through blogging students tend to value other students' comments about homework and this further expands their knowledge and understanding. Unlike journaling which is akin to blogging, when students blog they have an attentive discussion which motivates a continual learning process whether it relates to a debate or explanations. Therefore, I am an enthusiast of classroom blogging, not only for all of the above reasons but because it provides teachers with an innovative approach to better prepare students to become literate citizens of the 21st Century.