Blogs are a great tool that can be integrated in the classroom. With technology all around us and today’s generation being so savvy at technology, it is surprising that blogging is not used as much at it should be in education today. Blogging offers several benefits for students for example students that might be shy to speak up in class might consider expressing their opinions and see it as an outlet without the fear of face to face interaction. Another benefit that blogging offers is a different way of interacting in a classroom, this keeps students engaged and motivated to participate. Offering students the opportunity to blog in a classroom setting will not only help motivate them but it will also help them with their reading and writing skills. There are many ways that blogging can be incorporated into a classroom setting. Blogging can be used as a way for students to collaborate. Blogs can be a place for students to work together to share ideas, or a place where teachers can guide discussions and provide prompts for critical thinking. Blogs can also be a place where students can share reflections and pose questions about something that was studied in class. I have seen blogs used before for book clubs students read a book and discuss the book in the blog instead of meeting face to face. Blogs can also be used as writing journals where student’s writings can range from academic to personal, for the development of writing skills or for personal growth. Teachers can use blogs as a measuring tool for students writing skills. The blog will allow the teacher to see how students writing skills have improved through out the semester. Blogs can also be used as a way of tutoring. Teachers can step up a blog with extra material for those students who are having trouble understanding the concept taught in class. The blog can offer videos, readings, and podcasts to help the students understand the material better. As I mentioned above there are many options of how to use blogs in the classroom. I believe teachers need to see more examples and training on how to incorporate this type of technology into the classroom and this will motivate them to use them.
I agree, Claudia. Having students blog about what they learned in class or about any questions they may have is a good way to get those kids that are shy talking. Also, it offers teachers insight into what some students are thinking. I also noticed that when people type their thoughts instead of saying them in class, they usually tend to elaborate more. This will give teachers insight into how students are thinking and how they reach the conclusions that they do. I see technology as a big motivator for my students and they are barely in kindergarten. This may be a way for us to add rigor while bringing the "excitement" back into daily lessons.
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