Taking that step into using a blog in my classroom seems like a huge step. My preconceived notions about blogs have not helped my enthusiasm towards them. Initially blogs were something that was completely unfamiliar. Then there was the belief that implementing them would be too complicated and time consuming. Now it’s more how to incorporate them into daily lessons. After reading both November (2008) and Richardson (2006), perhaps there is hope for me yet.
November’s (2008) idea to use blogs as a community builder seems reasonable. Perhaps that’s the first step in implementing a blog into my classroom. It would allow access of homework, events, etc. for not only my students, but my parents as well (p. 84). It seems like a non-threatening, easy way to start using a blog in my classroom.
However, using blogs as more of a student-centered forum would serve a greater purpose. Richardson (2006) also offers ideas on how to use blogs in a classroom setting. A few of them could definitely be used as extensions, perhaps even replacements, in my classroom. Having daily discussion prompts, journaling, completing writing assignments, collaborating on projects, showcasing work are all items that my students would love (p. 39). What seems really neat is that student work would be no longer be given to just the teacher. “The audience moves from teacher, to class, to world” (November, 2008, p. 81). What student wouldn’t love to have their work shared with everyone? It would give them such motivation and satisfaction to have others comment, share, express interest in their work.
One of the quotes that really influenced my decision to take that huge step into initiating a blogs in my classroom came from Richardson (2006). He said, “Blogs engage readers with ideas and questions and links. They ask readers to think and respond. They demand interaction” (p. 18). Getting positive, student-centered, perhaps even global interaction is absolutely what a 21st century classroom should be modeled after.
References:
November, A. (2008). Web literacy for educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
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It is worth spending some time looking around for other blogging classes that will become part of your class community. There will be initial interest in their work being shared with a perceived larger audience, but then it is trying to get comments on all of their blogs which is one of the key ways to invigorate the students to be regular contributors. This can be very time consuming for us teachers so linking with lost of classes and communicating with those teachers creates connections that add more comments, and engages students. Adding a flag counter to your blog is a very quick motivator, then students can see where everyone who visits is from.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea to seek out other classes. What do you think is the best approach here - finding someone our own district, already created teacher/classroom blogs,etc.? I guess I'm lost on how to get that portion started as it makes perfect sense for student motivation to actually have people look at and comment on their blogs.
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