Why Blog? (Sept. 8, 2008)
In less than a year, I will have my teaching license in English Education. As a teacher, I can use a blog as a newsletter or calender for parents, students, and other teachers. I can list assignments and upcoming projects/events so parents are aware of their kids' responsibilities. I would also like to incorporate blogs within my curriculum. As an English teacher, I'd like to create a "Critics Circle" where students can post their responses to texts as well as book reviews and discussion points. Blogs also provide space for students to practice writing for particular audiences. Since the public can view class blogs, students' writing must exhibit appropriate tone and grammar. The blog content must be clear, concise, and on topic. Further, it would be be cool to use a blog for a class newspaper. It is an affordable way to eliminate printing and delivery costs.
In general, I feel blogs enhance communication. Learning occurs best when students are motivated and prepared. If I had a blog listing assignments, discussions, or readings, students could view and interact with the material when it is convenient for them. Additionally, blogs are great communication devices because they are current, accessible even when geographically distant (could be used during a class trip to Washington D.C. etc), and available to a wider audience.
In this digital writing class, I hope to learn (and put into practice) some HTML shortcuts. I also want to learn how to install blogging software onto my computer. Additionally, I would like to know if it is possible to combine blogs.
In general, I feel blogs enhance communication. Learning occurs best when students are motivated and prepared. If I had a blog listing assignments, discussions, or readings, students could view and interact with the material when it is convenient for them. Additionally, blogs are great communication devices because they are current, accessible even when geographically distant (could be used during a class trip to Washington D.C. etc), and available to a wider audience.
In this digital writing class, I hope to learn (and put into practice) some HTML shortcuts. I also want to learn how to install blogging software onto my computer. Additionally, I would like to know if it is possible to combine blogs.
Molly-
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas about using blogs in your classroom. One of the things that is most frustrating about teaching is that there are about one million balls in the air that the teacher has to juggle. From emails, to phone calls, to outlook calendars, to written calendars, to websites, etc, it would be great to have a place where all of those things could be aggregated. I think a blog is the perfect place to do that, but the only problem is that everyone would have to agree to use the blog (i.e. parents, other department members, etc. would have to switch from all the "balls" I mentioned to a blog, which is sometimes difficult to do).
Also, I love the idea about the class newspaper. This would not only be an interesting way for the students to take ownership of their writing, but also for parents and administrators (and other teachers) to view what's going on in your classroom. As a 7th grade teacher, I can almost feel my students' parents holding themselves back from calling and emailing constantly...perhaps a class "news" blog would alleviate some of their concerns.
ReplyDeleteCritics' Circle. Excellent idea! At the beginning of each class, we have "share time" for a few minutes, which is usually pretty uneventful, but sometimes we get into all out battles about movies, books, songs, etc.! I think that this would be an excellent hook in introducing the blog format! Likewise, it would be an excellent way to teach students, especially eighth graders, the value of constructive criticism. You know, with reasons and complicated things like that. A very foreign concept to some of my less mature students.
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