Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Blogging in the Classroom

Blogging can definitely have a positive place in the classroom. By blogging, students may feel less intimidated by writing or sharing their opinions. Many teachers have their students keep a daily journal or diary to turn in-- classroom blogging is a modern update of this. However, classroom blogging must be used with caution. It is important to first teach the students about internet safety. It would also be a good idea to check with the principal for permission. If I had a classroom blog, I would use it as a place to share quality links and information with my students. I would also begin discussions with them about various composers or pieces we are playing in class, so that they could talk about it in a safe place. Some students have trouble speaking up in class, but online, they may not feel so shy.

For more information about the pros and cons of classroom blogging, check out these two links:

http://learning-with-computers.blogspot.com/2006/07/pros-and-cons-of-blogs-by-illya.html

http://leadingout.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/classroom-blogging-handbookcopyright.pdf

2 comments:

  1. The other thing I read about and I was shocked about was that while internet blogging gets students to write more, it can also encourage then to write more free than they should. You know how when you type online you write in a style that is different than formal writing? Well I read somewhere that because the students are online they believe they can write in this way. I had never thought of that...just thought I would pass it along.

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  2. Getting the principal's permission to start a blog is very good advice. If I ever consider using a classroom blog, I will make sure to follow your suggestion.

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