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Blogs in Education

A blog is a type of website that can be created and updated by a person or a group using online software or a hosting platform that has a space for writing. Blogs can be published instantly, and sometimes provide sections for feedback and comments. Blogs can focus on one particular subject, of even function as an online journal to share the author’s thoughts with the world. Besides traditional text, blogs can also contain pictures, weblinks, and other media such and music or videos. A typical blog contains a title, a body with the main content of the posting, comments by readers of the posting, a post date of content, and sometimes they contain optional content tags.

Blogs can be used in many different ways in a classroom setting. For example, a teacher might use a blog to reflect on his or her own experience within a classroom, and use this to compare and contrast experience with other educators, who can then comment on the blog posting. A teacher can also use a blog to share teaching tips with other educators, post lesson plans, activity ideas, and explore learning activities and challenges, all well getting important feedback from other educators. Within the classroom setting, a teacher might use blogging as a tool to encourage critical, creative, and analytical thinking amongst students, promote social interaction among peers, and help students to learn how to access and filter quality information sources.

There are many different applications for blogging in the classroom. A teacher might use blogs to keep students informed of current events within a classroom; help students keep up-to-date on current assignments and other class information; and as a way to post assignments and reading material such as websites. Also, an educator at the elementary level might use a blog as a way to keep parents informed of what students are doing in the classroom. For older students, an educator might use a blog as way to post writing prompts and also to create an online book or reading club. Teachers in different countries can even use Blogs as a way to compare and contrast teaching techniques in different countries and cultures.

One of the most interesting ways a teacher can integrate blogs and blogging into a classroom is having students create their own blogs where they can post their own work, reflections, and ideas and thoughts on current events. Because of the interactive and social nature of blogging, other students can be encouraged to comment and reply to their classmate’s work, creating a flow of ideas amongst students who might not get a chance to interact during regular class time. Students can also create shared blogs in order to work on projects as a group.

Despite the many pros of using blogs in education, there are quite a few cons. The most important of these is cyber bullying. When students are allowed to comment and share their thoughts with their peers, this opens doors for bulling and abuse towards classrooms. Teachers must be strict with their students, and make sure that the class is aware of acceptable use guidelines for comments and blogging. A good way to make students aware of what is acceptable and what is not might be to create a model blog that outlines what is expected of each student and what is unacceptable. Blogs also need to be strictly monitored by teachers to ensure that each student is using blogs and is commenting appropriately. One of the other cons to using blogs in a classroom is privacy. Blogs and comments must follow each school’s Acceptable Use Policy (or AUP).

When used properly blogs have the potential to make class more interesting for both students and teachers. By incorporating technology into the classroom, it helps to keep students interested and helps to develop a sense of community amongst peers while keep them connected with the outside world in a way that might not otherwise be possible.

Sources

Huette, Scott. "BLOGS IN EDUCATION." //Teaching Effectiveness Program//. 2006. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. .

Jackson, Lorrie. "Education World: Blogging With Young Students." //Education World: The Educator's Best Friend//. 18 July 2011. Web. 31 Oct. 2011. .

Solomon, Gwen, and Lynne Schrum. //Web 2.0 How-to for Educators//. Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education, 2010. Print.