Blogs in the classroom

What is a blog?

Blogs, short for webblog, are like an online journal, that uses a new, tool called a weblog which publishes comments, or journal entries directory to the internet. With weblog software, It isn't necessary to learn HTML or any programming languages -- just input your text, click and your entry is online.

Blogs are the newest creature in the evolution of the Internet, with tens of thousands springing up on every conceivable topic imaginable, including of course, education.

How are blogs being used in education? Here are some examples:

Blogs being used by Teachers and Schools

Elementary School Blog
Blog of school librarian Norma Jean Smith who works in Austin , Texas . Includes sites designed for elementary school teachers and librarians.

http://www.elementary-school.blogspot.com/

Ms. Frizzle
The adventures of a science teacher in a small public middle school in the Bronx .

http://msfrizzle.blogspot.com/

First Grade Teacher
Keeping parents informed with a blog
http://www.butlerville.net/1a/

3rd grade class blog
http://www.mrwrightsclass.com/

School blog
http://lewiselementary.org/

First year of teaching
http://firstyearteacher.blogspot.com/

One of the most prominent bloggers for education is Will Richardson, self styled ‘blogvangelist' and Supervisor of Instructional Technology and Communications at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington , NJ . If you haven't seen his Blog yet, it is well worth a look -- http://www.weblogg-ed.com . Richardson , is a true blogvangelist as the name implies, gives workshops and presentations regularly on what he calls the ‘transformational potential' of blogs.

 

While he may be right that blogs are transformational, at a more concrete and down to earth level, Blogs reach kids where they are at and with a medium they use everyday. From Richardson 's Blog:


"About a year ago, I asked my first year composition students whether they did much reading and writing outside of class. Most of them said, "No." But when I asked them if they wrote emails, used AOL IM, and surfed the Internet, they almost unanimously said, "Yes." To them, the Internet and other forms of electronic discourse were not associated with their concept of "reading and writing" in the school sort of way. I imagine that this difference might be because one is "fun" and the other is "work." But regardless, I've come to feel that reading and writing the Web is a way for me to tap into a writing space that students already use--and more importantly, want to use."

Lessons Learned from Blogging

Probably the biggest drawback is blogging takes time – both to setup and learn, as well as to maintain. Nobody wants to visit a blog that no one else goes to and hasn't been updated for months.

According to Davis , Students LOVE blogging. From her ‘Lessons Learned' post:

“Weblogs make students feel like they have some control over their school work, a choice. Every time I talked with my students about weblogs it always came through loud and clear that they LIKE having a choice about what they write. So try to build that in within the parameters of what you are trying to achieve. Choices are good.

I usually have a class weblog to go along with the student blogs. I start the students out as contributing/junior authors on my blog for a short period before empowering them with their own blogs. This really helps them get a sense of what it is all about.”

What can blogs be used for?

Blogs for Teachers:

Blogs for students:

Blogging Info and Resources

Server-based blogging applications

  1. Movable Type: http://www.movabletype.org/
  2. UserLand: http://radio.userland.com/

Manila: http://manila.userland.com/. Purchased software that's installed on your school's network. No ads, complete control..but it costs $500/year.

MORE Blogging Resources

Conferences on Blogging
Join the Educational Bloggers network
Educational Weblogs-resources, praxis and digital tools