Question 2:
{The additional readings give examples of how blogs have been used in the classroom. On the news this week, I learned that a science textbook has included blog entries from students at Central Square Middle School.
What are other ways that blogs are currently being used in the classroom and how else do you envision blogs could be used in the future?}
Janie Cowan mentions using a blog as a forum for booktalks, an idea that appeals to me. It allows an easy way for the LMS to share resource suggestions without worrying about formatting, and provides a platform for students (and teachers and parents, too!) to 'talk back' about the resources via comments. Students that love or hate a booktalked book may comment to recommend a similar or 'better' book -- and the weight that must have with other students!
I think it would be cool to have an English class blog responses and plot forecasts for each chapter, as they read through a book together. If students were allowed to make whatever observations they liked, as long as they included certain elements in each post, they might feel more ownership of the story.
Overby comments that a classroom blog is a "visual record of conversation." I find this fascinating to think about in all the ways that can be an information literacy lesson -- if what you say as a contribution to a discussion is adding to the general body of classroom knowledge, and you and others will be able to refer back to it again and again, then WHAT you say and HOW you say it becomes even more important. That leads into lessons about our digital profiles, etc. I think it can also help students see that that their contributions to class discussions MATTER and can enrich the experience for everyone.
"Diary of a blog: listening to kids in an elementary school library" by
Janie Cowan. Teacher Librarian. Seattle: Jun 2008. Vol. 35, Issue 5
"THE NEW CONVERSATION: Using Weblogs for Reflective Practice in the Studio Art..." by Alexandra Overby. Art Education; Jul 2009; 62, 4; pg. 18
I think that using blogs for another dimension of classroom conversation has great potential. I see it especially useful for those students who are reluctant to speak up, and might be more willing to write down their thoughts.
ReplyDelete(ps: I like your background too, very cool!)