Tech Play 1 – Blogs

Definition and Affordance

According to WordPress, a blog “is an abbreviated version of “weblog,” which is a term used to describe websites that maintain an ongoing chronicle of information. Blogs range from the personal to the political, and can focus on one narrow subject or a whole range of subjects.” Blogs provides users with a platform to share their ideas, views and works that include writings, images, links to other sources, etc. Although I’m not a blogger I can see how useful they are. They actual remind me of a modern-day diary or journal but with an interactive element added. I still like to write ideas down but blogging can be very productive and therapeutic. There are so many websites that offer free blogging capabilities the start-up process is very easy. I chose to go with WordPress because it was easy to get started. The ease of access and the simplistic design make it possible for children in elementary school to have access.

Blogs in the Classroom

Blogs can be helpful to teachers because they can help you organize and keep a record of important information. One use for a blog could be to post information to your students or students parents. You could create a class syllable and have it readily available. This will help to keep parents updated with what is going on in the classroom and when work is due. Another use for blogs could be to have classroom discussions and see different viewpoints on topics covered in class. I could post homework and add additional further readings to use with homework or post links to the internet for more learning opportunities.The last use for blogs could be used as a semester long assignment. Students would post reflections to specific questions that are geared to showcase mastery of each content section and the blog would be graded at the end.

Other Uses

Blogs can be used by students to submit a group project. Teachers can divide students into groups, assign them a work project and ask them to present their work as a blog post. They will have to collaborate with each other, contribute their work and give feedbacks to other groups as well. Blogging will help teachers improve students’ social skills, critical thinking and peer assessment skills.

Obstacles

The biggest obstacle I see with classroom blogging is the student’s ability to gain access to the internet. Not all homes or classrooms have technology readily available. One solution would be a classroom trip to the library. This would be a good way to reintroduce students to alternative research methods as well. If the blog is strictly informational, it could be accessed on cell phones. Most older students today have a cell phone and hopefully there would be at least one cell phone in the home for students and parents to access information.

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