To Blog or Not to Blog?
“Blogs are not going away—we need to teach our students how
this powerful media works” (November, 2008).
In support of November’s proclamation, blogs are going to continue to
appear in classrooms across the country.
The degree to which that occurs will be based on each teacher’s
familiarity and comfort with this tool and also on the technology available to
make its use possible.
As I am just starting to become familiar with the concept of
blogging, I plan to proceed with caution.
Initially within my fifth grade classroom, I plan to establish a blog with
which both students and their parents will have access. Through my site I plan to include daily homework
assignments for all of the subjects I teach, announcements of upcoming events,
and possibly a few class pictures—which will be with written parental
permission as is required by our school’s acceptable use policy.
Once students have been instructed with the rules and
etiquette involved with blogging, I will begin to allow select students from my
Language Arts class to write articles for possible publication on our class
blog. I am hoping that the initial limited
selection of work will spur students into improving their personal writing
skills so that they too, will be selected for this same honor. The goal is for all students to eventually have
at least one of their writing pieces published.
Additionally, after the students receive instruction in creating multimedia
presentations, some of these products will then be selected for display as
well.
In lieu of the age of my students, generally 10-12 years of
age, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA, 1998) I plan to serve
as the determiner of what will be placed on the site. Because I want this experience to be positive
for students, parents, the school system and myself, I plan to keep tight
reigns on this initial blog.
References
November, A. (2008). Web
literacy for educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Stacey, I think you have a good plan for implementing blogs in your classes. Aside from Language Arts, what other subjects do you teach? I think one of the most powerful uses of blogs in the classroom is, after teaching students how to respond on blogs, allowing them to research and respond to blogs that are related to the topic being discussed. I read of one 4th grade classroom that, after reading a Disney book, responded to the Disney blog and initiated some major changes on Disney's blog about how the characters were represented. Disney listened to the students and responded to their comments. It was pretty awesome!
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteI teach Virginia History to the entire 5th grade and Language Arts to one group. This year we will be regrouping for Language Arts so I am apprehensive as to how much I will be able to incorporate the new technology skills if I happen to have the more language-challenged group.
Unfortunately, most of the students falling into that class are also the students that are lacking in computer resources at home. Also, this is historically the group into which many of the English Language Learners of our school fall. I am anxious to take all of the components about which we have been learning and incorporate them into my classroom. It will be both an exciting and yet scary journey.
Thanks also for sharing the idea of the "Disney" project. Disney is a topic in which all of my students are familiar and would lead to an engaging project.
Dear Stacey:
ReplyDeleteI think your idea about educating students on the etiquette and rules of blogging. In today's world of cyber bullying it is critical that students know and understand how to interact properly while in a virtual setting. So many times we overlook this side of technology and think that since children have developed some social skills in face to face interaction that it will translate into the virtual world. I found the following sites helpful in education my students.
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/kids/msparrysguidetonetiquette.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Internet-Etiquette-for-Teenagers-and-Children:-How-to-Teach-Your-Kids-About-Proper-Web-Communication&id=6546191
http://familylivingideas.com/853/internet-etiquette-tips-for-kids-and-parents-too/
Jaime,
DeleteBecause bullying in general is so prevalent in society, students are often very unaware of what it bullying constitutes. As we go through the year, the topic is addressed through the guidance classes, through the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E. Program),and lessons provided through the Family Life Objectives outlined by the Virginia Department of Education. Coping and prevention strategies are shared as well. It would seem natural for this same type of instruction to be continued with the issue of Cyberbullying.
Thanks for your comments.