1. HOW BLOGS CAN
HELP IN AND OUT
OF THE
CLASSROOM
P A U L H U E B L – S T A N D R E W ’ S S C H O O L &
E D T E C H S A
2. WHAT TO EXPECT…
Some provocations that will help you begin
thinking about the use of blogs as a
professional tool by teachers.
3. THEMES TO KEEP TRACK OF
• Creating meaningful learning experiences for students
• Facilitate reflection and student feedback from extended
learning networks
• The use of blogs as digital portfolios
• The use of blogs as communication tools, and the role of
social media in this.
• How you can use a blog to track your professional
development (AITSL Standards)
13. FURTHER READING AND RESOURCES
Kathleen Morris
Henrietta Miller
Jessica Ottewell
me
EdTechSA
Editor's Notes
Learning experiences
Reflection and feedback
Exhibition tool
Communication tool
Tracking PD
Learning experiences
Reflection and feedback
Exhibition tool
Communication tool/social media
Tracking PD
It is for teachers students and caregivers
It is like any tool that we have at our disposal – just needs to be used right.
Talk about SAMR briefly
It has inherent educational benefits engagement, opportunity for flipping learning, communicating learning
but using one ticks a lot of the GC boxes.
Protocols – cyber safety, digital citizenship, digital footprint
Investigating – blog is an inquiry tool for recording learning
Creating – forum for synthesising student work made with a range of tools – audio, video, wonder walls (padlet)
Communicating – the main point of the blog!
Managing and operating – while just one piece of software, it requires synthesis of actions setting up the blog in the best way
Three categories of blogs that you are likely to run into and use in your early career.
Learning experiences – students get to have an authentic audience for their work – can facilitate collaboration with other classes.
Reflection and feedback – students have a record of their learning journey
Exhibition tool – parents do as well – it’s a window into the classroom
Communication tool – can be used as a bulletin board as well – not the best tool for this though.
Tracking PD – you have evidence of learning activities and it engages the community in the process.
Learning experiences – allows a platform for students to engage in web 2 learning – 100WC
Reflection and feedback – teacher and parents can feedback to students -
Exhibition tool – a digital portfolio for the student
Communication tool – students have a voice and ownership of their own space. Parents must be on board to get full effect. This can be hard, so don’t sweat it – teacher feedback is fine, but it stops the blogging experience representing a transformation in the learning experience.
Tracking (student) PD – students have record of what they have done in different subject areas
Learning experiences – you can keep track of them, especially when lessons have a point of difference about them
Reflection and feedback – forces you to reflect on your learning – and you need to be honest because you’re putting it out there for the world!
Exhibition tool – your own digital footprint (Jess Ottewell) good for new bosses to see! Colleagues also benefit.
Communication tool – parents and administrators love seeing professional rigor.
Tracking PD – AITSL requires it and a blog is a perfect way to keep track of everything you do.