This class has allowed me plenty of thinking of opportunities to be creative in thinking on how I could use blogging in my classroom. After one class I came straight back to the district and told them I was ready to activate the Blog to my classroom. We all have a link to blog from our classroom. I opened up the site and was disappointed when it was nothing like Blog spot. So I am working on the site to develop the creativeness that can go with it. The students take turns helping me and then on Fridays beginning this week we are using the last 20 minutes of the day and our Quomo (projector) system in our classroom and interactively designing the page by working on my computer. Since it is projected to the front we all work together and add to and take away. So our goal as a class is to have the blog ready to go January 4th when we come back after break. We are making postcards with information and letting the parents know that premiering will be the Blog. We will include on the Blog: bi-weekly newsletter (4 students will work on this every two weeks), STAR writings (I pick people who have written above and beyond what was asked), Special recognition, and daily/weekly announcements. The art teacher and I are working on sharing art projects on the site too.
The other way I am considering using blogging is to connect to the education department at Simpson College and have pen pals for writing and book blogging next year. We would have an introduction, write and exchange and reflect throughout and then at the end of the year we can meet and do a picnic in the park. The students from my class can use the students to critique, edit and share their work with. I love how you let us interact with some of your friends classrooms and share.
I am very excited to get this project all planned out. If you have any thoughts or ideas feel free to share.
This is a fun idea for blogging. I like the fact that you are letting students help design their blog and are going to allow them to write every now and again. This collaborative learning enhances autonomy, as students have to take authority of or responsibility for their own learning. I really hope that the blog is a success and that you can get the other classes involved too. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great ideas posted about using blogs - and you are doing it! I really like how you are putting the students in the middle of designing it and keeping it up. As teachers, we don't always have to shoulder the responsibility. However, keep it monitored!
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