today’s digital kids… …think of information and communications technology (ict) as something...

Today’s digital kids…

…think of information and communications technology (ICT) as something akin to oxygen: they expect it, its what they breathe, and it’s how they live. They use ICT to meet, play, date, and learn. Its is an integral part of their social life; it’s how they acknowledge each other and form their personal identities.

John Seely-Brown, 2004

'Adults and children, whether we like it or not, are destined to have a presence on the Web in years to come. The sooner they are prepared for that eventuality, the better. Blogging offers students a real context in which these crucial life-skills can be developed.'

Mike Roberts, 2001

What are blogs?

Blogs are fully-functional websites that can be created and updated from any Internet browser.

Blogs are websites made simple. Subversion incorporated. No guru required!

Another definition…

Blogs are a tool to help teachers and students apply the principles of good teaching and learning in a 21st century context

Le blog est un outil pour aider les enseignants et les etudiants a appliquer les principes de bien enseigner et apprendre au 21eme siecle.

Enter stage left… the creative teacher.As teachers, we have a duty to be creative and

innovative in the classroom. Of course every lesson is not characterised by invention. We are busy people, doing our best not to drown in a sea of top-down prescription, proscription and conscription. Often our ideas are derived from other sources such as schemes of works, textbooks or from our tried-and-tested materials gathered over the years. There is nothing wrong with that if it is coupled with an occasional foray, when we can, into avenues of fresh ideas, approaches and invention.

Why blogs?

Real purpose Real audience Real responsibility Real collaboration Real student experts

Software fading into the background…

Specifically designed Stripped down Secure Simple implementation

Moderation Commenting Statistics

Role of the teacher

Building community Modelling and encouraging Not overpowering DJ analogy

The fates guide those who go willingly; those who do not, they drag.

Seneca