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Blogging

9/3/2013

2 Comments

 
Module 3 Blogging
I have never been much of a blogger or reader of blogs prior to starting the specialist program.  My only venture into blogging was a family RV trip a couple of years ago written from my dog’s point of view. Apollo’s Great Adventure (Evans Heath, 2011). While travel log is not necessarily what educational blogs generally focus on I can see how something of this nature could be adapted in my classroom.  In my own mind, I have also seen blogs as one directional, someone writing their thoughts almost like a diary.  In reviewing the material in Richardson’s Chapter 3, I have a greater understanding of how, when, and why blogs can be integrated into a classroom.

In my development as an Instructional Technology Specialist, I read Richard Byrne’s Free Technology for Teachers blog as my go to resource for information.  I read this blog on a daily basis and share tips with my peers at school.  Byrne’s post about “21 Century Teacher” is a reflection how blogs can be written.  While being a source for information, Byrne also voices his opinions on the latest trends and topics, sometimes in a comical manner.

Blogs can facilitate learning in various forms.  Teachers could use blogs as a class portal, resource site, or a collaborative space for discussion.  Blogs can be one directional with teacher providing information or thoughts or the teacher asking students to be contributors.  What about weekly class bloggers?  Blogs can even support differentiation with providing different types of tools and assignments for students. 

As we focus more and more on the Common Core Literacy Standards in Social Studies, blogs do have their place.  Blogging develops and teaches research, organization and synthesis in writing (Richardson, 2010).  As we gear our students to be 21st century learners and citizens, they are able to work and learn collaboratively this can be easily be guided through blogs with students around the globe.  It is his connective writing which enables student work to be share outside of classroom and provide more meaning to the writer and the reader.  This outlet which allows students to reflect on their own work, provide thoughts, and feedback to others is a powerful tool.  Others commenting and providing insight to a blog post further allows the author to have feedback to their writing.  This also allows the writer to reflect on their own thoughts and develop in their critical thinking.  Blogging gives the author a bigger audience to their writing and a greater meaning.  The comments others provide to a blog validate to the author their writing is important and has value.  This feedback will guide the author to continue to improve and strengthen their thoughts.  These responses show meaning and purpose to their writing  

As fast as our world is changing, learning is evolving with two new blogs being created every second. (Richardson, 2010).

Richardson, Will.  (2010) . Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms

Evans Heath, C. (2011, June). [Web log message]. Retrieved from apollosgreatadventure.blogspot.com

Byrne, R. (2013, April 9). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.freetech4teachers.com/



2 Comments
Cutia Blunt link
9/4/2013 07:09:00 am

Thank you for sharing your personal blog, Christa! Like you, I can see how this format can be adapted for classroom use. Matter of fact, I may try this idea in the near future! I can create a class blog based around a chapter book; let’s use ‘Charlotte’s Web’ as an example. Members of a reading group could each select a main character such as Charlotte, Wilbur, Fern, and Templeton. The students’ blog posts and subsequent comments could be written from the point of view of their chosen characters. This twist will elevate the students’ higher order and critical thinking skills even further as they explain, justify, and compare their character’s actions.

I took some time to ponder your statement that “Blogs can be one-directional, with the teacher providing information or thoughts…”. But as long as blogs are formatted to accept comments from readers, can they ever truly be one-dimensional? As Richardson (2010) explains, “Blogs engage readers with ideas and questions and links. They ask readers to think and to respond. They demand interaction” (p. 18).

Reference

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.
Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.

Reply
Carole Bevis link
9/7/2013 05:55:39 am

Christa,

Like you I have not been a blogger and I have read very few. Occasionally, I check in on about three and they are all on person topics such as; music, gardening and life. Never have I read an educational blog, until now. They are powerful sources of information and I enjoy the format more as opposed to reading a research paper. Personal blogs have been a window into which I could imagine using in the classroom. It is so true when you say, “I have also seen blogs as one directional, someone writing their thoughts almost like a diary.” I have always viewed them as somewhat egocentric. Reading classroom blogs has changed that, it is amazing what students are doing as they collaborate with one another.

Your comment on the Common Core standards was encouraging; it is nice to see you aren’t wearing the straight jacket that Cool Cat Teacher refers to. As well, I am trying to think of ways to meet the standards in writing and social studies for my kindergarteners. It is difficult as they are so young but not impossible, as your reference indicates they can be differentiated for students. I am assuming you are suggesting that you might use voice thread or video for those that writing is a struggle.

Reply



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    Christa Evans Heath
    Educator and Technology Specialist

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  • Home
  • Meet Christa
    • Centennial High School Learning Commons
    • Centennial High School Makerspace - The SPaCE
    • Contact
  • Resume
    • Education >
      • KSU Specialist Portfoilo >
        • Introduction
        • Video Reflection
        • Vision
        • Diversity
        • Capstone
        • Blog
        • Field Experiences
        • Standards >
          • Standard 1 >
            • 1.1 Shared Vision
            • 1.2 Strategic Planning
            • 1.3 Policies, Procedures, Programs & Funding
            • 1.4 Diffusion of Innovations & Change
          • Standard 2 >
            • 2.1 Content Standards & Student Tecnhology Standards
            • 2.2 Research-Based Learner-Centered Strategies
            • 2.3 Authentic Learning
            • 2.4 Higher Order Thinking Skills
            • 2.5 Differentiation
            • 2.6 Instructional Design
            • 2.7 Assessment
            • 2.8 Data Analysis
          • Standard 3 >
            • 3.1 Classroom Management & Collaborative Learning
            • 3.2 Managing Digital Tools and Resources
            • 3.3 Online & Blended Learning
            • 3.4 Adaptive and Assistive Technology
            • 3.5 Basic Troubleshooting
            • 3.6 Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools & Resources
            • 3.7 Communication & Collaboration
          • Standard 4 >
            • 4.1 Digital Equity
            • 4.2 Safe, Heathly, Legal & Ethical Use
            • 4.3 Diversity, Cultural Understanding & Global Awareness
          • Standard 5 >
            • 5.1 Needs Assessment
            • 5.2 Professional Learning
            • 5.3 Program Evaluation
          • Standard 6 >
            • 6.1 Continuous Learning
            • 6.2 Reflection
            • 6.3 Field Experiences
      • Blog
  • Presentations
    • Freedom to Explore NCSS 2014
    • Gateway to Diplomacy NCSS 2013
    • Let’s Get Personal: Be the Champion of Your Student’s Personalized Learning Path - GAETC2016 >
      • Formative Assessments Presentation
      • Pre Assessment
      • Symbaloo Lesson Plans
      • Blendspace
      • iTunes U
      • PlayPosit
      • Post Assessment
      • Formative Resources
    • Let’s Get Personal: Use of Office 365 and Creation of Digital Student Portfolios >
      • Choice Boards
      • Sensory Figures
      • Collaboration Space
      • Portfoilo Resources
    • Pushing the Boundaries- ISTE 2016
  • Technology Lessons
  • Resources