Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Bloggin' in the Classroom
I think that I could use the blog in my classroom as an introduction tool to teach students how to effectively use a blog as an educational tool. I teach 8th grade students Georgia history. I would probably set up a simple opinion blog, as per example of Ms. Kathy Martin, to the ends that students voice their opinions and reactions to historical situations and prompts. This would help, not only in the prep for their technological futures, to motivate students who typically did not enjoy the more traditional school setting , give voice to students who don't always feel comfortable speaking out in class, teach correct grammar and usage of language (especially with our ELL learners!), and connect students more closely with the subject matter and open their eyes to the thoughts of their classmates. As a teacher, it would give me instant access to students thoughts and ideas, and help me to assess how well each student understands the curriculum.
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ReplyDeleteCraig, I like the ideas you have posted here about using your blog in the classroom. I agree with you (and Kathy Martin) about technology allowing quieter students the chance to be heard in a big way. You mention about beginning with opinion postings. Will you eventually increase the demand of the postings and make them more academic in nature? Would you consider creating a wikispace for the students to allow an informational site about Georgia history- like what "Natalie" did in the book, "Web Literacy for Educators" (November, 2008)? I am interested to see where your blogging takes you and your eighth graders!
ReplyDeleteCraig, I think using Kathy Martin's idea from the video, Blogging in the Classroom(2008), is a great way to encourage your students to post their opinions. I think it is much easier to write about something you know and feel personally. A challenge that you may discover is that all students don't have access to computers at home. How will you work around that? You also stated that you will use the blog to teach correct grammar and usage of the language. How do you plan on doing that? Will you use a rubric for your students to follow?
ReplyDeleteLaureate Education Inc. (Producer). (2008). Blogging in the Classsroom [Motion picture]. United States of America: Kathy Martin.