I found a lot of wonderful ideas in chapter 5 of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (Richardson, 2009). A few that really appealed to me are to provide online readings for students to read and react to, publish examples of good writing, and build a class newsletter. Much to my chagrin the principle at my school called me into her office today to tell me that I could not utilize blogging at my school. She was unable to verbally tell me this herself as she had left for the day before 7th period but her secretary enlightened me. I am going to meet with her and give her all the pros of blogging such as the fact that comments from around the world are powerful motivators for student writing and that students show more interest in their work when blogging and what a great opportunity blogging is for collaborate learning. I know there is a moderating issue but as I arm myself with blogging information and how other schools are using it I can't see a much of a problem. If I set the blog to only publish after I have approved it then that will solve the problem of putting something out there that is embarrassing to the school. Do any of you forsee a problem? Maybe my principle is just not blogging savvy and I need to calm her fears.
Ruthie
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Hi Ruth
ReplyDeleteI too am hoping to be able to get students to start blogging about books they are reading. We have tried this in the past to little or no avail. As you suggested we think this might be a logical way to expand summer reading beyond just the required classroom books. It would be wonderful to have the kids get involved in online indepth discussions.
Hi Ruth- good luck with your blogging quest. Can the students do it if it is an "optional" assignment? I offered my students extra credit for the first blogging post and they had to have parent permission. The reaction was quite positive so I expanded it to an actual assignment but also gave an alternative assignment if the parents did not give permission.
ReplyDeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea, to have the assignment be optional if the parents do not give permission!