USING BLOGS IN THE CLASSROOM

Help your students become bloggers!

They are the future!!

MENU

Getting started with blogs: how and why!

Using blogs to promote literacy and close digital divide.

Creating a Writing class using blogs

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GETTING STARTED: HOW AND WHY

This article discusses the history behind blogs and why they are useful in our future. He explains how some claim that “blogs may further democratize the Internet, addressing some of the concerns under girding the digital divide.” The article discusses how by using blogging in your classroom every student is given an equal opportunity and the same resources. Everyone starts at square one and produces there own unique results.

Yang, S.-H. (2009). Using Blogs to Enhance Critical Reflection and Community of Practice. Educational Technology & Society,12 (2), 11–21.

SUMMARYThis article discusses why bloggging is important to our newest generation. It says blogs can stimulate reading and motivate learning, they can build community and they provide a 24/7 learning space for students. Students can access their information at any time and learn at home!!

After it discusses the necessity of blogging it takes you through a real study done!!

REFLECTION The digital divide is a huge issue in our society

today and for young people to have this chance to close that I think is amazing. Using blogs in education could help the students familiarize themselves with the internet and sharing documents and yourself online. Not only would it help the students but the parents could also monitor the blog and close their own digital divide. Even if the student doesn’t have internet at home public libraries have the resources they need. However it would be important to make sure they had time in class to finish their assignment because if one student didn’t have a computer at home they could have a set back. I believe it would also be important to go over the directions for everyone even if some already know how to do it to ensure it would be fair for the whole group!

USING WEBLOGS TO PROMOTE LITERACY

“Weblogs provide an excellent opportunity for educators to advance literacy through story telling and dialogue.”

This article discusses how the creativity in blogs and individualism allows students to tell their own personal stories. The use of collaboration with other students promotes literacy skills through editing and reflecting upon others post.

THE FACTS

Over 51.5 percent of blogs are

owned by people the ages of 13-19. By utilizing this

tool in the classroom

students will become

interested in there work and maybe

even learn more!!

SUMMARY

“Digital Fluency” is a new language that has come into our culture and it could become necessary to understand for sociability, lifelong learning, and employment opportunities. Promoting digital literacy at a young age could be very beneficial for the future. Blogs are easy to start and learn because they are equitable for everyone, all ages and groups start at the same levels and learn in the same ways. This type of literacy could close the digital divide!

CREATING A WRITING COURSE: BLOG

This article explains how it is important for students to utilize these tools when they are young because as they graduate and get jobs most of their writing and projects will be on the computer: emailed, forwarded, and uploaded. It is important for them to get comfortable using these type of tools. It walks you through the steps of creating, organizing, assigning, and grading in an online writing course through blogging.

Vs.

The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. X, No. 8, August 2004http://iteslj.org/

HOW TO: It must be necessary for teachers to make as

many blogs as possible: example class notes, group feedback.

It must be viewable by all students. Students must have own individual blog

where teacher can make comments. ORGANIZATION! Free Server space. Must have blogging service that allows for

group blogs. First day of class show how to set up blog

and go through examples.

ADVANTAGES

All of teachers notes will be available in chronological order.

Simple to edit class material.

Teacher can give collective feedback

All writing assignments are kept in one place and not lost.

You can save additional copies and use the assignments to show future classes what to do.

Student have access to all notes on internet.

They have access to online English dictionaries while doing assignments.

Students can easily find information

Students can observe how writing has changed over time.

Teachers Students

CONCLUSION Blogging in a classroom provides a

great opportunity for teachers, students and parents. With blogs class information is available round the clock , as well as examples and guidelines for assignments. Not only can students check their homework online but parents too. Teachers also have a chance to edit their students work online before they turn in the final copy. Blogging may also provide the tools to decrease the literacy and digital divide. Blogging in the classroom gives promise to what students will do outside the classroom! These articles point out the benefits of blogging in a classroom and how to reach that goal!