This will be my first blog- ever. It was pretty easy to set up, but I'll have to keep learning as I go, so don't judge me too hard!
There are many ways blogs can be incorporated into the classroom. This is because blogs can be used in a variety of ways. To me, blogs could work as journal entries or reflections for students, but because the blog can (and will) be read by others, students will take the assignment more seriously.
In my future classroom, I would use blogging to monitor students' understanding of readings or material we covered by having them summarize what they read and answer questions I have provided ahead of time. Then, students could read each other's blogs and comment/ask questions. In fact, I would make sure that students post at some regular interval and comment on at least two or three other students' blogs as well.
My learning goals for the use of blogs would be not only to learn how to use a blog and acquire basic computer skills, but to learn how to reflect on material and have academic discussions with their classmates.
To see whether my students were meeting these goals, I would monitor their improvements over time. I realize that the first couple blogs and comments would probably be rough, but over time I would expect improvements in writing skills, reflection, and discussion. Are my students asking questions? Are they relating personal experiences to information they gained in class? The more personal a student can make their education and their new knowledge, the more I will know that they have been thinking about, and understanding, the material- not just knowing it.
I like that you wrote about the difference between knowing and understanding!
ReplyDeleteI think that is a good idea. Making sure that the students understand what you are teaching them. I'm not all for blogs for teachers but you make some good points on how to incorporate blogs into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of journal entries!
ReplyDeleteStudy reading materials through blogs is a good idea. As an idea for a fun activity, you could have the students post which readings were their personal favorite for the week and why.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great idea to do journal entries! We had to do this in junior high. We would write about what we learned that week or anything we didn't understand. Our teacher would then read it and see our progress and what we needed help on.
ReplyDeleteUsing the blogs as a way to summarize material is a really good idea. That will really help the students understand what they are learning because they will be able to see the other students blogs as well as their comments on theirs.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that it will help children learn basic computer skills. In this day and age, basic technology knowledge is key. Our world is becoming more advanced each day.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact you did touch on the it also teaching a cgild basic computer skills.
ReplyDeleteStudents would in fact take their school work more seriously, because after all the internet is forever. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteThe journal idea is my favorite. Allowing the students to express themselves publicly is a good learning experience.
ReplyDeleteI agree that blogs could be used for journalism and going back over previously covered materials students have learned in the classroom. I think that you having the students go over the basics of blogging is a good way to make them more experienced writers.
ReplyDeleteThe journal is a good way to get to know the student more, because most students don't express their thoughts most of the time. This is a really good idea.
ReplyDeleteThe journal is a good idea. Its a good way to let students write about what is going on in their lives and what they've been learning.
ReplyDeleteI like that you make so many great points about how kids will take it more seriously and that it will also teach basic computer skills.
ReplyDeleteUsing the blog to summarize what was learned is a great idea. This would also be much easier to grade and give feedback to a student than to hand grade a paper that might be difficult to read.
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