I blog, you blog, let’s ALL blog! – Reasons YOU should have a classroom blog!
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about classroom blogs. Why teachers use them, why they don’t – or if they’re even relevant to today’s classroom. After much thought, I’ve come here today with nothing but love for classroom blogs.
What is a blog you might ask?
Technically – according to Merriam-Webster, “a blog is a website that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer.”
Did anybody else find that definition kind of BORING? I did.
Here’s my definition of a blog:
A place where numerous users can share, collaborate, and communicate thoughts, ideas, reflections, or questions. A place that presents a unique opportunity to ENGAGE each other using today’s technology.
Through personal blogging and blogging via SimpleK12, I’ve really come to the conclusion that blogs just plain ol’ ROCK! And I see a huge value in incorporating them in your classrooms. I would bet that if you mentioned the idea of a blog in your classroom to your students, they would be HYPED. Why? It’s quite simple really – they like the idea of having something “published” that they’ve personally written and that their classmates/teachers/parents can read. I’ve come up with a list (they are my favorite) of how you can engage your students with a classroom blog:
- Create a blog that’s about books! There are probably tons of books your students need to read during the school year – why not do their reviews via blog posts?
- Create a blog that showcases student poetry, short stories, etc…
- Create a blog where students can post about math concepts learned throughout the year – it can provide examples and solutions to the problems/concepts.
- Create a blog where students can list/talk about hypotheses before classroom science experiments! This will allow them to see what other students are predicting and open up doors to even more thinking on their part! When the experiment is done – it can be posted and compared.
- Create a blog where students pick an artist and write a short story/biography on them including podcasting, photos, etc!
- Create a blog where students pick a social topic to educate others about. Sky’s the limit on the different types of multimedia you can use on this one!
- Create a blog where students pick a musical instruments they want or have played. They can find sound files of the instrument, famous musicians that played it, even the pros and cons!
- Create a blog where your students write about their favorite holidays and why.
- Create a blog where your students can reflect on field trips! Their favorite part, their least favorite part, what they didn’t get to do/see, and what they learned!
- Create a blog to communicate missed projects/assignments, information, calendars, reminders…really anything to your students or parents!
You want to know something else really awesome? You’ve already got this amazing Personal Learning Network (PLN) so why not incorporate them into your classroom blog? Have them guest blog! Have them do the same science experiment and compare predictions/results! Share a classroom with students ALL OVER THE WORLD!
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At this point, you should be abouttttttt 75% persuaded to have a classroom blog. And I know that last thing that’s on your mind – student safety and “mischievous” students. Here are a few ways to tackle these issues:
- Don’t allow anonymous comments – students must use initials or first name, last initial.
- Enable comments needing “approval” before they are posted – great way to monitor.
- Create a set of classroom blogging guidelines! This will give students a good reference point.
- Encourage students not to use actual photos of themselves or loved ones – we know online predators are nothing to take lightly.
My friends, Dave and Matthew, shared with me their two classroom blogs if you need some more inspiration:
Dave’s Classroom Blog
Matthews Classroom Blog (for 1st graders!)
I hope this post has enlightened you a little bit on the benefits of having a classroom blog, and you are ready to take an adventurous step! You can start your blog, FREE, with Edublogs, Blogger, and so many more! I would love to hear your thoughts, success stories, and if you have more ideas! So, please share! And happy blogging, folks!
Great post and loved the ideas! When you mentioned that students love to be published, you were absolutely right! At the beginning of this school year, when I told my 8th graders that they would have their own blog, their faces lit up. They were so excited even though a lot of them didn’t really know what it meant to blog. They just loved the idea of being able to write their thoughts, dreams and reflections in a place of their own and that it would be shared with the world. When I showed them how to put a cluster map on their blogs, and they saw the audience they had from all over the world, they couldn’t believe it. Blogging opened up many of my students to the world, and to each other as well. They found out things about their classmates that they would have never learned otherwise. I will definitely use blogging in my classes for next year!
If you would like to see my students blogs, they are listed on the left hand side of my teacher blog. http://techmunoz.edublogs.org
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Hi Kim!
Thanks for sharing your blogging story and thanks for sharing your classroom blog link! Can’t wait to check it out!
Great to hear from you! I’m so excited to see you use a classroom blog! Students (as most kids do) LOVE attention! Sometimes I think we’re being sneaky (a good sneaky) with integrating tech w/their learning because they’re just having fun!
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I love this. So much. As a future Educator I think that this is a superb idea.
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:58 am
I’m so glad you liked it! I hope that when you get your *future* blog up, you share it with us!
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I post a weekly question to my classroom blog which students need to answer/voice their opinion. In order to receive credit, they must put their initials, and the section of the class they are in. Seems to work fairly well, but some students space out and click the wrong choice for submitting their answer along with their name.
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 11:02 am
This, Lynn, is a GREAT idea! There’s always room for mistakes then lots of room for improvement! Glad you have a classroom blog! Would you be willing to share you link on here for other educators looking for examples? If not, no worries! Thank you for sharing your great classroom ideas!
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Lynn Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 11:46 am
http://mrteacherguy.blogspot.com
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Celine Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Thank you for sharing your blog practice! This is something I can see myself using with my students in French!
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Love this!!! Been looking for ways to use blogging in my classroom and you just gave me many to start with! Thanks!
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
You’re welcome, Jana! Good luck!
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Something not working correctly? I replied to a comment, but it’s not showing up for all to see. Is it not supposed to?
Anyhow, my blog is http://mrteacherguy.blogspot.com
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Oh, I see it up top! (right below your first comment!) Thanks for sharing! Do you have a classroom blog guideline you could share too? Karen (below) was asking?)
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I am a parent of a student in Matthew’s class (a blog you linked) and also the media specialist at his school. As a parent I LOVE reading my daughter’s posts and replying back to her. As a media specialist I love that the first graders are being exposed to this as a form of communication and learning how to use technology at such a young age!
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hi Sara! Thank you for your comments! It’s so great seeing a positive response from a parent! I was so shocked (and excited) to see that Matthew’s classroom blog was for 1st graders! That is amazing to me!
I bet it will be even more exciting to see the progress your little one makes as time goes on!
Thank you for sharing!
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Love your post about class-blog. I have done this two years now and my students are great at it. Please take a look at our latest post about reading books in class. My students blogs are to be found on my webpage at the right. The write every week in class and as homework. It is a great way to keep track of what they are doing, what they understand and to reward the students who are diligent in their work. http://annmic.wordpress.com/
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Wow, Ann… I’ve just looked at your and your students blogs and I’m REALLY impressed! This is a great example for anyone needing inspiration. It looks like your students really enjoy it!
Do you have classroom blog guidelines you could share? Karen (below) is looking…
Thank you so much for sharing! Love, love, love your blogs!
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Ann S. Michaelsen Reply:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Thank you so much for those kind words. I actually don’t have any guidelines for students. I just talk with them about keeping everything strictly about subjects we are discussing. No surnames, pictures or private info. If they post pictures (has only happened twice) I address it privately with that student and they remove it. I do have guidelines for teachers, since I sometimes have workshops for teachers who want to learn how to start blogging in class. Some are to be found on this slide share presentation I have. In short all teachers should have their own blog first! http://www.slideshare.net/annmic13/i-k-t-i-praktisk-bruk-for-engelskundervisningen
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can i get an example of someones blogging guidelines?
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Hi Karen –
I put some feelers out to try and see if I can get some teachers to send me theirs but in the meantime, I’ve found some examples online:
http://www.slideshare.net/bartleby1/blog-guidelines
http://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/articles/classroom/blog-guidelines-for-the-classroom.html
http://publicrelationsmatters.com/category/nixons-classes/spring-2010-blog-guidelines/
If I find anymore, I will be sure to let you know!
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Elizabeth Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Hey Karen –
Kim (comment up top!) just gave me this as a reference for you! http://tinyurl.com/mb4tv6
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[...] SimpleK12 » Blog Archive » I blog, you blog, let’s ALL blog! – Reasons YOU should have a class… "I see a huge value in incorporating them in your classrooms. I would bet that if you mentioned the idea of a blog in your classroom to your students, they would be HYPED. Why? It’s quite simple really – they like the idea of having something “published” that they’ve personally written and that their classmates/teachers/parents can read. I’ve come up with a list (they are my favorite) of how you can engage your students with a classroom blog" (tags: 21stcenturylearning blogging_in_the_classrom) [...]
I love the idea of a blog, but I do have a few concerns maybe someone can address and help me with. I have considered a blog numeous times, but haven’t put one together due to the following:
1. Time- updating. I have 1/2 prep daily for all subject areas. I teach 4th grade.
2. Our school provides each student with a planner. We write each assignment down carefully and then at the end of the day go back over the assignments. Any papers that need to be completed for the assignments are placed in a purple folder that students take home and return the next day with the completed work. This makes it handy to keep everything together. I see the blog as having the potential of students thinking they don’t need to write anything down because I (teacher) or their parent will be responsible to look up the homework they need to do and students do not take ownership of the work.
3. Pictures of students not posted? Our school asks for permission for pictures to be taken of students at the beginning of the year. I think it would be a shame to not include photographs of students at work in the classroom and share those experiences with others via the blog. Yes, if there are parents who do not want their child’s picture posted, that would certainly be honored, but overall I think we are missing a lot when pictures aren’t posted.
4. Do students at the lower grades actually type in their own stories? Do they keyboard at this young age? Having students “hunt and peck” the keys out to type in their stories only creates problems when students actually start to keyboard.
I would welcome any thoughts or suggestions that would help me further understand and benefits of a blog.
Thanks!
mg
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Allanah King Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Hey there MG
Our class blog http://moturoa.blogspot.com/ is the central hub of our class. It is pivotal. We have had 46,000 views of it from all over the world- it is not a place to fulfill someone else’s need. It evolves from the things that WE need. To support learning in our classroom. We use it to record our learning and collaboration with others.
We put photos of children on it and we even identify the children by their actual first names.
I let the children peck away at the keys and they get quite fast after a time. I don’t worry that they don’t use the ‘correct’ keys.
I suspect that by the time they leave school the qwerty keyboard may well be a thing of the past anyway so why waste learning time making sure they use the correct fingers. Before children post I check the grammar and punctuation as it is a public forum.
Have a go at blogging- get consent from parents and go for it. The rewards from having an authentic audience for our work in the classroom is rich.
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mg Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Thanks for your response. I checked out your blog. Great! I don’t agree with your response on keyboarding, however. If you have ever tried to teach 9 and 10 year olds keyboarding, you would realize that they have a very difficult time learning how to do it when they are have been given the freedom to “peck” however they have wanted in previous years. I can’t see our traditional keyboard being obsolete anytime soon.
Yes, I totally agree about posting pictures and using first names only. The reason I commented about it was because the article mentioned not using pictures, although perhaps they were meaning personal family photos.
I love the idea of blogging and do think it could be extemely rewarding for students, parents, etc. However, I also do not want it to become a crutch for students who choose to not be responsible for their assignments thinking their parents will remember what their homework or they will look it up for them online. It’s a great reminder, however.
Thanks so much! Best wishes!
mg
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[...] SimpleK12 » Blog Archive » I blog, you blog, let’s ALL blog! – Reasons YOU should have a class… ”I see a huge value in incorporating them in your classrooms. I would bet that if you mentioned the idea of a blog in your classroom to your students, they would be HYPED. Why? It’s quite simple really – they like the idea of having something “published” that they’ve personally written and that their classmates/teachers/parents can read. I’ve come up with a list (they are my favorite) of how you can engage your students with a classroom blog” [...]
I love your ideas! And yes, your definition is *far* more interesting than the other dry one.
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[...] SimpleK12 » Blog Archive » I blog, you blog, let’s ALL blog! – Reasons YOU should have a class… ”I see a huge value in incorporating them in your classrooms. I would bet that if you mentioned the idea of a blog in your classroom to your students, they would be HYPED. Why? It’s quite simple really – they like the idea of having something “published” that they’ve personally written and that their classmates/teachers/parents can read. I’ve come up with a list (they are my favorite) of how you can engage your students with a classroom blog” [...]
Thanks for the great ideas! I have a classroom blog, but I have struggled with how to have first graders do their own blogging. The limited keyboarding skills means that even very short sentences can take a long time to type. Matthews classroom blog was a big help to me. I can’t wait to share it with my first graders!
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What CMS architecture does this site use?
[url=http://blog.globalfamilydoctor.org/post/2009/12/02/Ie28099m-a-doer.aspx]My Personal Blog[/url]
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Shawnette Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 11:52 am
We use WordPress for the blog and the main SimpleK12.com site is Drupal.
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Thanks for posting these great tips! I’m thinking of starting my own blog for my Spanish classes. I’m planning on highlighting student work/products (without names) as well as trips, guest visitors, and Skype events we had for the year. I see that you recommended Edublogs and Blogger, but which one would you highly recommend for first timers like myself? Thanks in advance!
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Elizabeth Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Hi Elvira!
We’d love to see it when you get it up and running! Good luck!
So exciting that you’re going to start a classroom blog!!! If I had to pick one, I would go with Edublogs
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A great way to increase participation and the whole learning and collaboration experience. Thanks for sharing your insights with us Elizabeth.
Aaron´s last blog ..Free Blogs
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A blog really does make the students’ writing more meaningful by expanding their audience from a few people to the world.
Here is my education blog: Technology In Class Blog
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A blog really does open up the audience from a few people to the world. This is a great motivator for students to write.
My education blog: Technology In Class
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Thanks for all the great ideas. I have been reading about blogs and am ready to set up a blog for my classes (ESL). The other blogs sites mentioned on your site are helpful. I am so impressed that 1st graders are blogging.
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Elizabeth Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:14 am
I know! It’s crazy how 1st graders are blogging. I’m excited you’re venturing to the blogging world. Good luck! =)
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