So after considering using the blog as a place for students to journal, I have come up with some more specifics...
I would like to use the blog as a place for my ninth grade Biology students to answer questions about content that require them to use critical-thinking skills and to make connections between new content and prior knowledge. Making connections to current events would be beneficial for them, as well. A blog is the perfect tool for this type of activity because according to Richardson (2009), "Blogs engage readers with ideas and questions and links. They ask readers to think and respond. They demand interaction" (p. 18).
At first, I will have them work in pairs or threes to construct their responses. I will also use a rubric and model an appropriate response to help them get started in the blogging world.
As students become comfortable with the process, I can post a new question every week. Students will be required to respond thoughtfully to the question as well as to other students in the class. I'm hoping that this will help them to develop technology skills as well as critical-thinking and writing skills.
Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
In what ways have you incorporated blogs into your classroom? Do you find that one blog for the class works best, or should each student create their own blog?
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Great ideas Corinne! I like that you mentioned a rubric. Kathy Martin (the teacher from the DVD) used a rubric and I thought that was great but wasn't sure if I would do that with my group. However, after hearing your idea of working in groups and/or pairs to make connections to past and present material, I think I like it even more. This way the children can become secure with the process and the whole concept before having to put themselves out there for the world to judge and having the rubric to guide them assures they are meeting acceptable standards and gives them a framework. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
If you did this weekly how would you assure all students had access to a computer? Is computer lab time an issue at your school?
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ReplyDeleteHi Corinne,
ReplyDeleteI love how you are planning to incorporate cooperative groups along with blogging in your classroom. I am a strong believer in allowing students to work together as peer interaction helps with comprehension in addition to engaging the discussion further on the topic presented. Do you anticipate allotting a specific amount of class time in order for the students to complete their blog assignment or is this something that you would require outside of the classroom? Do you plan to implement a blog assignment after every lesson, chapter, or unit? If you plan to have the students respond after every lesson, you may become overwhelmed with reading all of the responses, especially if you are grading each response too. As an elementary teacher, I may require my students to complete a blog after the chapter is completed. That way they understand all of the concepts in their entirety as well as responding with a richer response.
Although I have not incorporated blogs into my classroom yet, I think that it would be best if I allowed my third grade students to work in groups on one blog rather than each of them creating their own blog. I want my students to feel comfortable with the expectations and appropriateness of responding to an academic blog, therefore, I feel as though cooperative groups will work well as they adjust to the new writing/responding format. Blogging will enable students to become "use to consuming information in a different form. Teachers should prepare a list of Weblogs with appropriate content and look at some of those sites with your students. In addition, provide some models for them to look at and follow" (Richardson, 2009).
Best of luck with your blogging experiences in your classroom! :)
References
Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press
Lori, computer time isn't an issue in my school. We have several wireless laptop lab carts in my department.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I think I will have them respond to one or two questions per unit. I think it's best to start small and see what works. One response per chapter is probably a good starting point.
Thanks for the great feedback -- it's very helpful to hear how others are planning to use blogs.
Corinne, DO you know who funds the wireless labs? DId your school get a grant or is this something they just support. You are very fortunate to have this access. We have 18 sixth grade classes and one lab. You can imagine the calender for this lab.
ReplyDeleteI think your ninth graders would love this lesson.I do not think you will need to have them work in small groups or pairs. Students today "get" this stuff so much easier than their teachers. The idea of posting a new question every week would be a great supplement to any lesson. Also, it may be a good transition to the next lesson.
ReplyDeleteI think that for what you are trying to do it may be easier if the students create an account but not a blog. If you have mulitple classes this could get time consuming. Create a blog per class and then they can post there.
Lori-
ReplyDeleteOur former principal was a strong supporter of technology. He retired after my first two months there, but from what I hear, he did everything he could to make money available for technolgy. In addition to several laptop carts per department, every classroom in my school has a SmartBoard. This was a time when our county did not have any budget problems, but even so, we probably have more hardware than any of the other 25 high schools in my county.
In my opinion, though, my school does not do enough to ensure that all teachers are trained to use the technology often and effectively. Many teachers don't use the SmartBoards for much more than a screen for projecting power points!
Brittany,
I think your idea about one blog per class will work well. Perhaps if things really go well, I can have them read/respond to other classes once in a while, too.