Creating Community with Blogs by Geoffrey Cain Tacoma Community College

What is a Blog?

Why Use Blogs? Reading and writing practice Class journal Research journal Student created learning paths Creates community

Reading and writing practice

Class journal

Research journal

Student created learning paths

Creates community

Strengths of Blogs Allows for careful reflection Shy students are able to express themselves Unique features of blogs BlogThis! on Blogger.Com Creating links to learning Student ownership

Allows for careful reflection

Shy students are able to express themselves

Unique features of blogs

BlogThis! on Blogger.Com

Creating links to learning

Student ownership

Weaknesses of Blogs Steeper learning curve than an e-mail account Takes time to set up Must teach the students how to use them Some students have privacy concerns (these can be addressed)

Steeper learning curve than an e-mail account

Takes time to set up

Must teach the students how to use them

Some students have privacy concerns (these can be addressed)

Getting Started Sign up for an account on Blogger.Com Make sure the students understand the settings There is a difference between “save” and “publish” Create instructions and a rubric Test your instructions

Sign up for an account on Blogger.Com

Make sure the students understand the settings

There is a difference between “save” and “publish”

Create instructions and a rubric

Test your instructions

Creating Community Central class blog Roster Pictures Assignment links Text book link Create assignments that require students to read class blogs

Central class blog

Roster

Pictures

Assignment links

Text book link

Create assignments that require students to read class blogs

Creating Community (cont.)

Preparation is the Key Clear instructions Etiquette guidelines Rubrics

Clear instructions

Etiquette guidelines

Rubrics

Resources Blog Resources Blogs as Electronic Journals Blogs in Education My Paper on Blogging in the Classroom Eduspaces Free blog and portfolio for educators Blogger.Com

Blog Resources

Blogs as Electronic Journals

Blogs in Education

My Paper on Blogging in the Classroom

Eduspaces Free blog and portfolio for educators

Blogger.Com