Blogs in Education. Geek's Guide To Teaching In The Modern Age #2: Know how to blog Whether you want blow off steam about parent conferences or share.

Blogs in Education

Geek's Guide To Teaching In The Modern Age

• #2: Know how to blogWhether you want blow off steam about parent conferences or share your kids' dolphin project with the world, a blog, or Web journal, is a convenient venue for publishing anything that's on your mind (and then receiving feedback).

With a blog you can post homework, extend conversations, and keep parents in the loop, says Will Richardson, tech supervisor at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, New Jersey, and the man behind www.weblogg-ed.com, a site that advocates the use of blogs in the classroom.

The best first step for would-be teacher bloggers? Reading other classroom blogs (find them at www.technorati.com, a blogs-only search engine). Then head to www.blogmeister.com or www.tblog.com to start your own free journal.

10 ways to use blogging to teach

1. Post materials and resources• The web is a fantastic tool when it comes to distributing

resources - all you have to do on your blog is upload, or copy and paste, your materials to your blog and they’ll be instantly accessible by your student from school and from home. What’s more, you can easily manage who gets to access them through password and plugin safety measures.

2. Host online discussions• If you’ve ever struggled to create an online discussion

space - you’re going to love what blogs will do for you. Students can simply respond to blog posts and discuss topics you’ve set them through comments of through our simple forum functionality - commentators can also sign up to receive emails when their comments are replied to and you can easily manage and edit all responses through your blog’s administrative panel.

3. Create a class publication• Do you remember the good old days of class

newspapers? Well, they just got a lot easier with your blog - you can add students as contributors, authors and even editors in order to produce a custom designed, finely tuned and engaging collaborative online publication by your class.

4. Replace your newsletter• Always enjoyed photocopying and stapling pages and

pages of newsletters on a Friday afternoon? Though not! It’s ridiculously simple to post class information, news, events and more on your blog

5. Get your students blogging• It’s all very good sending your students off to blog sites,

or even creating them for them, but you need to operate as a hub for their work and a place where they can easily visit each others blogs from. Your blog can be used to glue together your students blogs, and besides which, if you’re asking your students to blog… you should certainly be doing it yourself.

6. Share your lesson plans• We all love planning and admin, right? Well, using an blog can turn

planning and reflection on classes into a genuinely productive - and even collaborative - experience. Sharing your plans, your reflections, your ideas and your fears with other educators both at your school and around the world using an blog is a great way to develop as a teacher, and a brilliant use of a blog.

7. Integrate multimedia of all descriptions• With a couple of clicks you can embed online video, multimedia

presentations, slideshows and more into your blog and mix it up with your text and static resources. No cds required, no coding necessary - just select the video, podcasts or slidecast you’d like to use and whack it in your blog to illustrate, engage and improve your teaching toolbox.

8. Organize, organize, organize• You don’t only have to use your blog as a pedagogue… you can

equally easily use the tools to organise everything from sports teams in your school, to rehearsals for the upcoming production. You can set up as many blogs as you like, so don’t be afraid to use a dedicated one for a dedicated event - your can even use it as a record to look back on down the line.

9. Get feedback• There’s nothing that says you can’t allow

anonymous commenting on a blog (although you’re also entirely within your rights to put all comments through moderation!) but why not think about using a blog as a place for students - and even parents, to air issues, leave feedback or generally tell you how great you are.

10. Create a fully functional website• One of the great things about blogs are that they

are much, much more than just blogging tools. In fact, you can use your blog to create a multi-layered, in-depth, multimedia rich website - that hardly looks like a blog at all. So, if you’d rather create a set of static content, archive of important information or even index for your library - you can bend a blog to suit your needs.

What are the benefits of classroom blogging?

• Kids love blogging. • Students who lack the reading and writing skills they need to

succeed also may lack the motivation to practice those skills. Many are motivated, however, to chat virtually with their friends.

• Seeing their words published on the Web is a great student motivator.

• Blogs offer an innovative way for students to engage in reflective writing on classroom topics in a familiar medium.

• Blogs represent a democratization of information dissemination, providing each individual with the opportunity to publicly present his or her thoughts and opinions.

• Students who know they have an audience other than their teacher write more credibly, accurately, and carefully.

• Blogs allow others to respond, providing feedback to the authors. • In short, blogs can bring today's students into the world of writing --

even at 2 a.m., even in their pajamas! Best of all, blogs are easy to create and maintain!

What Blogging Does for Students• Helps them find a voice• Another benefit to educational blogging (and wiki-writing) is the opportunity for the student to find a personal "voice"

and to develop individual interests. Much like journal-writing, blogging gives wings to ideas that otherwise may can stay trapped in the mind. Many individuals find that blog-writing changes their lives in a significant way by allowing them to express their ideas in a medium that appears to have life and longevity--and that might find a kindred audience.

Creates enthusiasm for writing and communications• It is not expected that all students will take to blogging (just as not all students enjoy writing), but it is believed that

blogging has a unique ability to create enthusiasm for writing and the communication of ideas.

Engages students in conversation and learning• Educational Blogging is more than just being about writing, just like writing is more than just writing business

correspondence or a lab report for Chemistry class.Unlike traditional forms of publication that are one-way, when the work is done at the end of the publication process, students can be engaged in ongoing conversations about their ideas and thoughts. This can be threatening for some administrators afraid of endangering children, yet, it brings a reality to the classroom that was not previously possible.

• Provides an opportunity to teach about responsible journalism• Because students who are posting blogs reach an audience with their posts,

whereas a personal diary can be kept private, students have the opportunity in blogging to learn about the power of the published word. Whereas they might be tempted to criticise or make fun of someone in private conversation or in a diary, they can be taught about responsible journalism, and that the consequences of these kinds of remarks in the new world of the read/write web can be serious and long-lasting.

Empowers students• Student blogging is incredibly empowering in the following ways:

1) Instead of writing as a mechanized approach to empowerment where we learn to write well enough for school and work, we learn to write for life-long learning purposes.

2) Writing and blogging and life are intertwined as difficult issues are exposed and dealt with in a transparent community of voices. Although this type of writing entails risk and trust, growth and teamwork naturally result.

3) Writing and blogging encourage students' initiative to write, to be engaged at more than just the head level. It involves writing from head and heart. Children often have not learned to do more than live from the heart, while adults have concentrated their efforts on more cerebral approaches. This means adults and children can bridge the gap that exists by writing together, creating a community of writers in their classrooms where there is no pseudo-community, only community where humans write.

Blogs Used by Educators• http://nyceducator.com/• http://educationpolicyblog.blogspot.com/

– Multiblog about the ways that educational foundations can inform educational policy and practice! The blog will be written by a group of people who are interested in the state of education today, and who bring to this interest a set of perspectives and tools developed in the disciplines known as the "foundations" of education: philosophy, history, curriculum theory, sociology, economics, and psychology.

• http://sassyteacher.blogspot.com/• We are sassy teachers with something to say. We tell the truth about

teaching. We unify educators in the trenches. We invite the public to participate. We are sassy teachers who sass back against the culture of silence in public education. Please read our articles and give comments. If you are a teacher, feel free to send us your own article. We'll post it if it fits. You can also send us an email directly at [email protected].

• http://teachyoualesson.blogspot.com/

Some Free Blogs• www.sosblog.com• www.myblogsite.com• www.bravenet.com/webtools/journal• clearblogs.com• www.bloggerteam.com• mytypes.com• www.blogs4me.com• www.adfreeblog.org• blogsavy.com• www.thoughts.com• www.blogates.com• www.journalhome.com• www.blogger.com

Edublog• http://edublogs.org/

• http://mrskandel.edublogs.org/

Blogger

• https://www.blogger.com/start

• http://mrskandelsclass.blogspot.com/

Classblogmeister

• The Process

Classblogmeister cont.

• http://www.classblogmeister.com/index.php

• http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blog_id=570445&blogger_id=93503– Teacher post

• http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=111604&blog_id=563250&position2=16– Student post

Blogging Do’s

• Get parental permission. • Know your school and district acceptable use policies

(AUPs) and convey them to your students. • Avoid blogging sites that require students to publish their

complete names and/or e-mail accounts. • Avoid sites that ask students for any personal

information. • Make students aware of what subject matter is

appropriate and permissible. • Teach students the importance of tone and respect for

others' opinions. • Have clear expectations, rules, and consequences. • Remember that with risk comes growth and learning.

• NETS for Students• Technology Foundation Standards for All Students• Technology Foundation Standards for Students• Basic operations and concepts

– Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.

– Students are proficient in the use of technology.• Social, ethical, and human issues

– Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.

– Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.

– Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

• Technology productivity tools– Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase

productivity, and promote creativity.– Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-

enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.

• Technology communications tools– Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact

with peers, experts, and other audiences.

International Society for Technology in EducationISTE Recommended Foundations in Technology for All Teachers I. TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS AND CONCEPTS. Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and

concepts. Teachers:demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts

related to technology (as described in the ISTE National Education Technology Standards for Students)

demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.

II. PLANNING AND DESIGNING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND EXPERIENCES.

Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:

design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.

III. TEACHING, LEARNING, AND THE CURRICULUM. Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include methods and strategies

for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers:facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and

student technology standards.apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

IV. ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION. Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies. Teachers:apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.apply multiple methods of evaluation to determine students' appropriate use of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity. V. PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice. Teachers:use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.continually evaluate and reflect on professional practice to make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of student learning.apply technology to increase productivity.use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning. VI. SOCIAL, ETHICAL, LEGAL, AND HUMAN ISSUES. Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PK-12 schools and apply those principles in practice. Teachers:model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use.apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.identify and use technology resources that affirm diversitypromote safe and healthy use of technology resources.facilitate equitable access to technology resources for all students.

Question

• Think of some ways that your students could use blogging in and out of the classroom.

Work Cited

• http://supportblogging.com/Educational+Blogging

• http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748031&FullBreadCrumb=

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog• http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article. • http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?

id=7433&FullBreadCrumb=%• Education World: Blogging Basics• Education World: Technology Center