(SOCIAL) BLOGGING WITH YOUR STUDENTS 35th Annual Puerto Rico TESOL Convention Rio Grande, Puerto Rico November 22, 2008

PRE-CONCEPTIONS ABOUT OUR AUDIENCE You know how to use a computer. You probably have heard of blogs and may even have read one. You have heard of social networks and may have a Facebook account. You are unsure of how to use blogs and/or social communities in the classroom.

You know how to use a computer.

You probably have heard of blogs and may even have read one.

You have heard of social networks and may have a Facebook account.

You are unsure of how to use blogs and/or social communities in the classroom.

THIS PRESENTATION IS: An explanation of what blogs and social networks are and how they can be used in the classroom Suggestions and recommendations based on our experiences last semester as modified by our experiences this semester.

An explanation of what blogs and social networks are and how they can be used in the classroom

Suggestions and recommendations based on our experiences last semester as modified by our experiences this semester.

OUTLINE Introduction Melysha - Blogs Jeschelly - Social Communities John - Successful use of Blogs and Social Networks Panel- Final Thoughts

Introduction

Melysha - Blogs

Jeschelly - Social Communities

John - Successful use of Blogs and Social Networks

Panel- Final Thoughts

WEB LOGS (BLOGGING)

WHAT ARE WEB LOGS? A Blog is a place online were the user can create a space (page) to write down their thoughts, feelings, ideas, work, and many other things. These may be private (not visible to others) or public (visible to others). You and other users can exchange thoughts (comments). You can either reply to existing messages or post new ones.

A Blog is a place online were the user can create a space (page) to write down their thoughts, feelings, ideas, work, and many other things.

These may be private (not visible to others) or public (visible to others).

You and other users can exchange thoughts (comments).

You can either reply to existing messages or post new ones.

HOW CAN BLOGS BE USED? Blogs can be used to: Complement a class Substitute work Provide prompts Provide instructions for lessons and assignments

Blogs can be used to:

Complement a class

Substitute work

Provide prompts

Provide instructions for lessons and assignments

HOW CAN BLOGS BE USED? Blogs can be used as a/an Interactive reader’s guide Discussion board E-literature circle Source of information

Blogs can be used as a/an

Interactive reader’s guide

Discussion board

E-literature circle

Source of information

ADVANTAGES Complement a class Get them to think critically Help the student gain: Computer skills Communication skills Writing skills

Complement a class

Get them to think critically

Help the student gain:

Computer skills

Communication skills

Writing skills

DISADVANTAGES Student (and Teacher) lack of computer skills Missing the ability to read actual “papers”

Student (and Teacher) lack of computer skills

Missing the ability to read actual “papers”

DISADVANTAGES Frustration of technical issues: Computer accessibility Server goes down No electricity

Frustration of technical issues:

Computer accessibility

Server goes down

No electricity

DISADVANTAGES Time consuming Addiction ( Internet, Blogs, Facebook)

Time consuming

Addiction ( Internet, Blogs, Facebook)

SUGGESTIONS/TIPS Establish rules. Assess the students’ knowledge of technology before they begin (during and after).

Establish rules.

Assess the students’ knowledge of technology before they begin (during and after).

SUGGESTIONS/TIPS Explain the process, and let them know what you are looking for in their responses. Get the students to look critically at the posts they are reading and writing.

Explain the process, and let them know what you are looking for in their responses.

Get the students to look critically at the posts they are reading and writing.

SOCIAL NETWORKS AND COMMUNITIES

WHAT IS A SOCIAL NETWORK? A social network is the personal or professional set of relationships between individuals. Social Networks also refer to any number of websites designed to create online communities. These communities can be focused around common interests, goals, or simply a way for people to interact.

A social network is the personal or professional set of relationships between individuals.

Social Networks also refer to any number of websites designed to create online communities. These communities can be focused around common interests, goals, or simply a way for people to interact.

SOME EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS Ning.com (launched in 2003) Users create their own social websites and social networks. It is open to ages 13 and up. Myspace.com (launched in 2003) It is open to ages 14 and up. It has approximately 246,351,193 users. Facebook.com (launched in 2004) It is open to ages 13 and older. It has approximately 124,000,000 users.

Ning.com (launched in 2003)

Users create their own social websites and social networks. It is open to ages 13 and up.

Myspace.com (launched in 2003)

It is open to ages 14 and up. It has approximately 246,351,193 users.

Facebook.com (launched in 2004)

It is open to ages 13 and older. It has approximately 124,000,000 users.

CAN THESE BE USED AS A TOOL FOR THE CLASSROOM? The answer is yes. It is already being used by teachers and professors around the country. Many of today’s students are becoming technology experts and education should be up-to-date with them.

The answer is yes. It is already being used by teachers and professors around the country.

Many of today’s students are becoming technology experts and education should be up-to-date with them.

FACEBOOK IN EDUCATION Facebook creates profiles for their users and users can create groups and events as well. Teachers and students would have to join Facebook in order to use it in a classroom setting. Educators can create a group and use it as the class’ “homepage”. A Facebook group has diversity of options that can be used to complement a curriculum.

Facebook creates profiles for their users and users can create groups and events as well.

Teachers and students would have to join Facebook in order to use it in a classroom setting.

Educators can create a group and use it as the class’ “homepage”.

A Facebook group has diversity of options that can be used to complement a curriculum.

FACEBOOK GROUPS – BASIC INFO The group will have its own title, type and description according to what the teacher would like to do with it. It also includes the contact information.

The group will have its own title, type and description according to what the teacher would like to do with it. It also includes the contact information.

FACEBOOK GROUP – MAIN OPTIONS The main options give the teacher (administrator) options of how they want to manage the page.

FACEBOOK GROUPS – RECENT NEWS The recent news section is ideal for instructions, description of tasks and due dates for each assignment.

The recent news section is ideal for instructions, description of tasks and due dates for each assignment.

FACEBOOK GROUPS – DISCUSSION BOARD The discussion board is somewhat like a forum or blog. Educators can use it in order for students to express themselves towards a topic given by the teacher.

The discussion board is somewhat like a forum or blog. Educators can use it in order for students to express themselves towards a topic given by the teacher.

FACEBOOK GROUPS – DISCUSSION BOARD

FACEBOOK GROUPS – THE WALL The wall is used by all the members of the group to write whatever they wish (anecdotes, doubts. Questions, etc.)

The wall is used by all the members of the group to write whatever they wish (anecdotes, doubts. Questions, etc.)

FACEBOOK GROUPS – PHOTOS The photos section can be used for a number of things. Teachers can use them to receive descriptions, reactions or just for fun. Group photos may include photos of the class as well.

The photos section can be used for a number of things. Teachers can use them to receive descriptions, reactions or just for fun. Group photos may include photos of the class as well.

FACEBOOK GROUPS – The posted Items section is ideal to post links to websites that contain photos, videos, readings, activities and games that the teacher expects them to work with.

The posted Items section is ideal to post links to websites that contain photos, videos, readings, activities and games that the teacher expects them to work with.

FACEBOOK GROUPS – VIDEOS Videos can be uploaded directly from the computer to the page.

Videos can be uploaded directly from the computer to the page.

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT FACEBOOK IN EDUCATION Educators must understand that this should be used to complement the course, not to give it. The material used in the group page must be carefully and responsibly selected by the teacher. Students should know that while the “ Facebook term is “friending”, you are still their professor, and it means less friendship and more of a connection to you that is “user friendly.” ” (Gutgold 2008)

Educators must understand that this should be used to complement the course, not to give it.

The material used in the group page must be carefully and responsibly selected by the teacher.

Students should know that while the “ Facebook term is “friending”, you are still their professor, and it means less friendship and more of a connection to you that is “user friendly.” ” (Gutgold 2008)

SUCCESSFUL USE OF BLOGS AND SOCIAL NETWORKS

SUCCESSFUL USE OF BLOGS AND SOCIAL NETWORKS Blogs and social networks work. Students enjoy them. Lower the affective filters Encourage writing in the target language Give students a reason to communicate Allow shy students to hide behind a pseudonym

Blogs and social networks work.

Students enjoy them.

Lower the affective filters

Encourage writing in the target language

Give students a reason to communicate

Allow shy students to hide behind a pseudonym

SUCCESSFUL USE OF BLOGS AND SOCIAL NETWORKS Factors leading to class bonding in TEED 4046 Class size Student management Students and Professor learning together

Factors leading to class bonding in TEED 4046

Class size

Student management

Students and Professor learning together

9 SUGGESTIONS/TIPS Plan for the unexpected (Have a “Plan B”). Know the program before you start. Establish rules at the beginning - and then stick to them.

Plan for the unexpected (Have a “Plan B”).

Know the program before you start.

Establish rules at the beginning - and then stick to them.

9 SUGGESTIONS/TIPS Explain the process and what you expect as the outcome. Have student moderators/co-administrators. Don’t expect 100% participation.

Explain the process and what you expect as the outcome.

Have student moderators/co-administrators.

Don’t expect 100% participation.

9 SUGGESTIONS/TIPS Have one blog for the entire class. Individual blogs should be optional. Make any Social Network secure (hidden). Let the students experiment.

Have one blog for the entire class. Individual blogs should be optional.

Make any Social Network secure (hidden).

Let the students experiment.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE The presentation is available at: http://www.aguadillaenglish.net/TESOL35/

The presentation is available at:

http://www.aguadillaenglish.net/TESOL35/