Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Blog Assignment
I would use a blog in my classroom for students to have an open discussion about a topic. For example, at the beginning of the year I might ask my students to post about how they are getting on, their first month in 7th grade. As the year progresses I will use it to ask students to discuss topics or answer questions based on science class content or research. A blog might be especially useful for controversial topics such as evolution or stem cell research. I will not use the blog as a showcase for work but rather a place for students to have collaborative discussions to enhance regular class discussions. I have found that students who are typically shy during class discussions, or are not as quick to the punch are likely to excel using a computer for class discussions. A blog also allows students to expand their thoughts based on other students thoughts!! It is a great tool for assessment, so that I am aware first of their content base gained from class or outside sources and then an analysis of the student's ability to comprehend the discussions and therefore draw conclusions from the class discussions.
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I love the idea of using blogs for class discussions. Controversial topics would be great because students might really get into it. Blogs are a great medium because students cannot raise their voices at one another; the only way you can raise your voice is by WRITING IN ALL CAPS. One challenge you might run into for class discussions is keeping the students on topic.
ReplyDeleteOnline discussions are great way to use blogs! I know that I tried to do this last year with math and it did not work out as well as I had planned. The problem I had was that the students were not held accountable for their participation. One suggestion that I have is that you create a rubric and explain how they will be scored on participating in the blog. Once you have shown your students the rubric I would do as Richardson suggests and “provide some models for them to look at and follow” (Richardson, 2009, p. 45). I think that had I done this at the beginning, my students might have been more excited about being involved. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRichardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful tools for classrooms (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Hi Christine. I like your idea for reflective blogging at the beginning of the school year. I learn a lot from my kids this way through open discussion in the classroom, but I think blogs can give some kids more time to formulate their thoughts and give quieter kids an opportunity to be heard in a different, safer way.
ReplyDeleteYou'll probably need to come up with a type of rubric for assessing the reflective type of blogging. I've found that 7th graders, as you probably know, need a lot of clear instructions as to what their teacher's expectations are.
Will your students have access to computers at school for their blogging or will they be allowed to complete assignments at home? Are blogging rules included in your school's Acceptable Use Policy? Those are a couple more things to think about if you haven't already.
Your ideas for online discussions are great. I would have loved something like that when I was in school! Our kids are lucky!