Blogs can be used in the classroom in several ways: as a source of information for posting class schedules, assignments, and announcements; to publish and archive student work; and as a forum for class discussions. Blogs provide benefits like motivating students through a global audience, allowing students to share views outside their class, and giving feedback to help students improve. However, teachers must establish guidelines to prevent inappropriate posts and encourage meaningful writing. VoiceThread is an interactive tool that allows students to comment on multimedia in text or audio, facilitating discussions, presentations, and reflections to enhance engagement with course content.

1. To explore...

2. How can blogs be usedin the classroom?Source of information and communicationUsed to archive and publish student workCan be used to post class times, assignments, homework, announcements and upcoming school eventsCan give students links to internet sites related to current classroom topics to enhance learningCan be used as a tool for class discussionsAs a form of journal writingTeachers can use blogs to post thoughts and reflections about students’ work that the student and parents can read

3. Positive aspects and benefits of blogging for the classroomStudents can learn their strengths and weaknesses based on comments left by othersStudents are motivated by a world wide audienceGives students an opportunity to share their views with others outside of their immediate environmentVery user friendly and easy to useEnjoyable for students

4. Positive aspects and benefits of blogging for the classroomNon-threatening and safe way for students to express ideas and opinionsCan be a personal and engaging sphere for students to create meaningful writingProvides a link between home and school as parents can see what students are doing in the classroomHomework can be made more interesting for students when completed onlineWhen all work completed by students in a day is completed as part of the blog this may allow parents to much insight into the daily routines of the class

5. Considerations for usingblogging for the classroomThere are no boundaries as to what can be written. Teachers need to establish boundaries with studentsRisk of students just making trivial comments. Challenge is for the teacher to encourage deep, reflective writing which will is centred around reading, reflecting, criticising, questioning and reacting to the world around them. Can be pointless if teacher does not provide necessary direction and scaffolding

6. VoiceThreadImplications for Teaching

7. What is VoiceThread?It is a collaborative multimedia slideshow (Nelson, 2005-2009)It acts as a group audio blog where users can record text and audio comments about digital material (PB Works, 2009). It is interactive and engaging as it requires students to connect with learning in a dynamic online context (BP Works, 2009).

8. UsingVoiceThreadImplications for Teaching

9. Ways VoiceThread can be used in the classroomDiscussion forum where student work is posted on a thread (e.g. writing) and people are invited to comment.Students can comment on work of other students.Can be used to publish poetry in both written and spoken formLanguage practice and learning reflections

10. Ways VoiceThread can be used in the classroomPresentations, debates and storytellingPublishing class artworks where people can comment on themEvaluation at the end of a unit. Students can provide verbal feedback on their learning experiencesInvolving parents in sharing students’ learning experiencesCan be used as a reflective tool e.g. digital portfolio with commentary

11. Positives and NegativesAspects of VoiceThread

12. Images Accessed Fromhttp://www.dailyblogtips.com/wp-content/uploads/blogs.jpghttp://www.erikfolgate.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/blogging-771047.jpghttp://paulhami.edublogs.org/files/2007/10/voicethread-pro.jpghttp://blog.ning.com/blog/blog_logo.jpg