I've been blogging for a while: personally, professionally, academically, and socially.
This year, I started blogging with my students. Why?
Fewer papers to carry around for me and the students.
I can't stand notebooks with their frilled edges of papers ripped out. There is always one student that ruins a stack.
Papers get lost by me and the students.
Papers just end up on the floor or in the garbage bin.
Technology is the hook to get the students writing.
Collaboration automatically increases.
Students reflect more on their own work and others work.
The audience immediately goes from 2 or 3 to millions all over the world.
Students love seeing others read their work
Teachers outside of my class get a sense who the student really is.
What are the drawbacks:
It takes more time to get it rolling than a notebook would. For me, the benefits outweigh this negative.
We have log in issues once a week with our wireless connection that causes problems. That said, the benefits still outweigh this drawback.
You can see what we've been doing by visiting the links below:
8th Grade: http://tinyurl.com/avid-8th
7th Grade: http://tinyurl.com/avid-7th
6th Grade: http://tinyurl.com/avid-6th
(We've been using Kid Blog. It rocks!!!!)
You can also see other classroom by visiting the Comments 4 Kids website. It lists hundreds of student blogs.
B is for Blogging!!!