There are many ways to use technology to facilitate K-12 instruction, but I believe the most promising to be the use of blogs in the classroom. Today’s student is bombarded with multimedia in almost every faction of their life. We need a way to reach that is interesting and appealing to their fast moving minds. I believe blogging fits the bill.
A blog “(a contraction of the term "web log") is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video” ( Google Dictionary). Basically it is an online dairy that people the world over can comment on. It might sound boring by its definition, but it is a great motivational tool that encourages students to write, read, and respond thoughtfully. The possibility of a global audience also encourages good work ethic, as our youth tend to be concerned with their public perception.
Being an ELA teacher, I have noticed a disturbing trend that students consider reading and writing assignments as the bane of their existence. However, according to Benzinger, students become very attached to their blogs, posting or commenting on others work, even when they are not required to do so. Benzinger also reports that if students haven’t posted in a while, they feel guilty and apologize to their audience in their postings. In my class, we have a competition for each paper we write: the best paper gets published to the blog. It has been a great motivator to the class. Students who I had to argue with to pick up a pencil, are diligently working to create the best narrative they can. They want that recognition. When a new paper gets posted, there is a rush for the computers. The kids want to read this fabulous paper and post their thoughts. Not only are they reading, but they are analyzing the piece of writing through their comments… and through it all, THEY LOVE IT!
In Murcha’s article about reasons why we should use blogs in the classroom, the number one reason was that kids consider it fun. How wonderful is it when students are having so much fun with an assignment that they forget they are learning. Blogging is one way to accomplish that.
Blogging is not just beneficial to ELA classrooms, it can also greatly add to our social studies curriculum. Benzinger states that while educators will post about assignments, important dates, and school news, the kids post about current events and personal beliefs. Blogging will help our students be better members of their community by being better informed. The comments section on a blog also encourages students to think deeply about social issues, so they may comment in an intelligent way. They want the attention of their peers, so they post, but they want positive attention, so they post intelligently.
Blogging in the classroom is definitely a win/ win scenario. The students enjoy it, and so they have a greater motivation to learn and a good work ethic, and teachers who have tried it love it because they are teaching their students, not only the curriculum, but also communication and technology skills that will be beneficial to them later in life.
Watch this interesting video:
Check out these web sites for additional information on blogging in the classroom:
For help creating your own classroom blog, see the powerpoint below:
Works Citied
Benzinger, B. (2006, October 28). Back to school with educational blogging. Retrieved from http://www.solutionwatch.com/519/back-to-school-with-the-class-of-web-20-part-3/:
Downes, S. (2004, September). Educational blogging. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume39/EducationalBlogging/157920
Murcha. (2008, March 14). 20 reasons why students should blog. Retrieved from http://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/20-reasons-why-students-should-blog/
