Blogs as a Classroom Tool

Blogs as a Classroom Tool



With the ever growing use of technology in today's society, it is almost essential that we expose our students to technology based projects. Technology in the classroom can have many benefits, but the most important benefit is that they will be able to start to view technology as a tool for their future learning which will eventually help them in their future careers. Using blogs as a classroom tool can be extremely useful. Teachers all over the world have discovered that blogs can be an excellent tool to promote literacy and writing skills. Blogging can also increase student involvement because it uses a technique that students find engaging and comfortable. For students who may find it difficult to communicate in an open forum, blogging allows students to communicate without feeling the pressure of being in front of their peers. This is a great way to encourage the students to become comfortable with their peers which may encourage future face-to-face communication. 

What is a blog?

According to the website Teaching Today, a blog (sometimes referred to as a weblog) is a Web publishing tool that allows authors to quickly and easily self-publish text, artwork, links to other blogs or Web sites, and a whole array of other content.

Blogs are set-up like conventional Web sites, with navigation links, and other standard Web site features. Blogs have one standard characteristic, however: the posting. Blog postings are text entries, similar to a diary or journal, which include a posting date and may include comments by people other than the author, photos, links, or other digital media.

What are some reasons we should let students blog?

• Highly motivating to students, especially those who otherwise might not become participants in classrooms.
• Excellent opportunities for students to read and write.
• Effective forums for collaboration and discussion.
• Powerful tools to enable scaffolded learning or mentoring to occur.
• Allows interaction between teachers, students and their parents.

Useful educational blog sites:

Edublogs
Free Technology for Teachers
Edutopia
Nerdy Book Club