RSSIdeas: Using Blogs in the Classroom
Blogs are primarily about writing. But within that broad category there are many ways that blogging can be used with students to improve their learning in almost any subject area. Teachers can also use blogs for a variety of purposes. Here are just a few ideas with more coming.
Blogs by students
Journals – Many English teachers (and those in other subjects) require their students to write regular journal entries. Blogs make it easier for students to write and edit these posts and for teachers to read and respond to them.
Book reports, literature circles – Students often are expected to summarize and react to books and other materials they’ve read. Doing this in the form of a blog encourages students to revise and rewrite their thoughts. It also allows other students to comment on the work of their classmates.
Creative writing assignments, short stories, poetry – A blog can be a great way to showcase student writing, again with the options for other students and even parents to comment on the work.
Display and discussion of student art work/photography – since pictures, video and audio can be embedded within a blog post, showcasing student work doesn’t have to be limited to their writing.
Student portfolios – This is actually a combination of all of the above and more. Blogs are excellent tools to keep an ongoing record of student work since they offer an easy way to categorize the assignments and find them later.
Class discussions, current events – Time for discussion in class is limited and some students may not feel comfortable participating. Extending this process to a blog allows everyone to participate, often with more thought and a richness that’s not possible in real time.
Class archive – One student serves as the class recorder each week, entering a summary of activities and major learning. This provides help for students who miss class and review materials for everyone. The rest of the class can add additional information and corrections in the comments.
Role playing – Students could write a blog in the voice of a fictional or real life character and in the process learn more about them.
Class newsletter – Rather than the teacher producing a paper-based record of what’s going on in class, a blog would allow everyone in class to contribute. The result is a living document with a built-in archive.
Collaborative projects with another class – Due to the reach of the web, classes anywhere in the world can work together through one or more blogs.
Science experiment notebook – Rather than have students keep a record of their experiments on paper, a blog allows students to enter and edit their finding from anywhere.
Teachers can use blogs as well
Post class assignments, upcoming assignments, project help, calendars and more – Both students and parents can keep track of what is expected and what deadlines are looming.
Class suggestion box – Asking students for feedback can be easily done in a blog and allowing for comments could get some interesting discussions started.
Communicate with parents – A blog could provide parents with both information and an option to comment.
Journal for teacher researcher projects – Rather than keep a paper journal that is seen by only a few others, a blog offers to chance to communicate with other teachers interested in the same topics.
Tool for collaboration with colleagues anywhere – Extending that idea, blogs can be wonderful tools for personal professional development and a way to connect with other teachers.
