We are living in a new time where information is readily available, communication is instantaneous and collaboration is used at a remarkable level. As educators we are bombarded with cell phones and ipods, computers and technology. Many teachers look at these items as distractions to education. I look at this as motivators and engagement in learning. Blogging is one of those "technology" sites that were frowned upon a couple of years ago in my district. The possibility of students making comments and feedback was frightening so walls were built and blogging was shut out. As educators use these tools more and more they are not at frightening, in fact they are very motivating and engaging. Luckily blogging is one of the tools that have been reopened to the district. So now it is even more important to use these tools so that the educational system can start to embrace the ideas of web 2.0 applications.
There are many great resources for blogging in education. First before starting a blog consider some of these things before jumping in.
1. Who is your audience? Are you writing to parents? students? fellow teachers? Make sure you know who your audience is and write to them. Make sure it is engaging and relevant to the needs of your reader.
2. What is your topic? Will you be talking about your class? maybe a topic a day? How about discussions? How do you want to handle that? By answering these questions ahead of time you can stay focused and organized in your blog.
3. Collaboration? Will this be open to all? Do you want the collaboration to be open to everyone or just those you allow?
There are some more blog basics to consider at: http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/blog-basics
So who is blogging anyway? Teachers and students are blogging, professionals and stay at home parents are blogging. In fact the BBC spotlighted a 7 year old blogger. This 7 year old has a very large following and he discuses everything from his friends to homework. Turnbull says that "The children using weblogs are streets ahead of their peers in IT, and they have made greater advances in literacy than we would normally expect for their age group." (turnbull, 2004)
Blogging and Education
Some of the greatest blogs are not formal, they are not filled with useless information but, they are concise and more importantly they have a voice and a personality. Bloggers are a community, a community of voices sharing their thoughts and ideas. Efimova states that just like a classroom or even a neighborhood blogs have a community spirit. A spirit that joins people with common interests. When once we were limited to who we are closest to in proximity of our neighborhoods or communities. Now through blogging we can reach worldwide for collaboration and community. A student may blog about a piece of literature and they may bond and learn about another student in China who shares the same interests. Our world has become smaller and as Thomas Friedman says Flat.
Technology supports blogging now more than ever. With the costs of netbooks at around $300.00 and phones now have access to internet. Blogging is in the hands of everyone including our students. Blogs are an effective teaching method because it allows for students to reflect and communicate while learning. Although blogs cannot replace a good instructor it can effectively motivate the learner and add to the educational experience.
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