This document provides an overview of using blogging in the classroom. It discusses why blogging is beneficial for developing students' information literacy and communication skills. Guidelines are presented for setting up student blogs, modeling good commenting practices, and encouraging both social and academic commenting. A variety of blog post ideas and resources for teachers and students are also listed to help make blogging a fun learning experience.
30. Academic Oriented Comments Related to the content of the post. Continuing a conversation started in the post or in other comments. Connected to content learned or discussed in the classroom. Challenges someone’s point of view. Add something to the author’s post in form of a : link connection idea reminder new perspective
32. Commenting Starters This made me think about……. I wonder why……. Your writing made me form an opinion about……. This post is relevant because……. Your writing made me think that we should……. I wish I understood why……. This is important because……. Another thing to consider is……. I can relate to this……. This makes me think of……. I discovered……. I don’t understand……. I was reminded that……. I found myself wondering……. ( from Youth Radio blog Netiquette- which in turn was adapted from Excellence and Imagination
33. Modeling Good Comment Practices http://educational-blogging.wikispaces.com/How+To+Teach+Commenting+Skills
40. Blog Starters Your favorite idiom Learning is like… There are a lot of ways to … My tip of the day is… For those who don’t know already … Thought it would be fun to share … Have you ever tried to figure out why … I’m thoroughly impressed with …
41. More Ideas for Blog posts Continuing Stories Vocabulary studies “I have always wondered…” Study Hints Recipes for success Upper/Lower Level School Buddies Current Events Report from a long weekend Role Playing- write from another persons or objects perspective Describe your neighborhood/community tour with picture. Book reviews/recommendations.Each student required to contribute a different book recommendation.
48. Participate inBlogging Challenges Student Blogging Challenge http://theedublogger.com/tag/student-blogging-challenge/ 30 Days to Be a Better Bloggerhttp://30d2bbb.pbworks.com/ Comment Challenge (2008)http://commentchallenge.wikispaces.com/ Grow your own PLN
50. Read other Classroom Blogs Mrs. Kuhr’s Blog Alice Project All Saints Languages Blog Billings Middle School Tech Class Blog Borman Blogging Class 4OQ’s Blog Creative Voice East Dragon Den English With Rosa Extreme Biology Fab4@Work Forrester High School Int 2 Info Systems Gelincik Grubu Griffin Science – 8th Grade Huzzah! Intermediate English class blog Luce Semester 2009 Ka Tangi Hoki Ko Au Room 15 Blog Law Primary School East Lothian Primary 6 Blog MrCs Class Blog Mr McClung’s World Mrs. Yollis’ Classroom Blog Ms Mourad’s Absolutely Sensational Learners Mrs Goerend’s Blog Planet Infinity Room 10 Grey Lynn School Room 18’s Learning Journey blog Room 231 Rumford Writers Saint Exupery 6 South Paris Collaborative Chat Tamaki Tales Tamaki Primary Blockbusters Technology in the Classroom The Greatest Middle School Blog in the World The Overlakes 6th Grade Blog The Skinny Think in English Watch Out! Edublog Awards 2009http://edublogawards.com/2009/best-class-edublog-2009/
56. Image Credit Footprint by Tony J Case http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyjcase/3011595479/
Editor's Notes
While we hope that the content of a comment is meaningful and related to the post and learning, there is yet another dimension to commenting. Students need to be aware and observe proper “commenting netiquette”. Just like any other classroom rules at the beginning of each school year, this netiquette needs to be discussed, practiced and reviewed. It is also important to let students know your expectations of proper grammar and spelling in their online writing. Do you value content above all and are willing to close an eye to spelling? Or are you willing to take less content in exchange of time spent on grammar and spelling? You need to communicate your expectations clearly to your students.
While we hope that the content of a comment is meaningful and related to the post and learning, there is yet another dimension to commenting. Students need to be aware and observe proper “commenting netiquette”. Just like any other classroom rules at the beginning of each school year, this netiquette needs to be discussed, practiced and reviewed. It is also important to let students know your expectations of proper grammar and spelling in their online writing. Do you value content above all and are willing to close an eye to spelling? Or are you willing to take less content in exchange of time spent on grammar and spelling? You need to communicate your expectations clearly to your students.
Let the author know if you agree with him/her and why. It is also ok to disagree with something, just let the author know why you feel that way. One word comments are not very useful. Writing just “cool” or “nice” are not very helpful and don’t let the author of the blog post really know what you are thinking. Always make sure you follow “netiquette”. Think if it is appropriate BEFORE you hit the submit button. Always be polite . It does not matter if you agree or disagree with what you are reading in a blog. Don’t write anything you would be ashamed of saying to someone’s face. Don’t hurt somebody’s feelings.