I already use a blog to support student learning. I talked about it in my previous entry, but didn't know I would be referring to it in this topic as well!
I use my current blog to support the novel that my students are reading in class. I post questions about the novel that encourage my students to really reflect using higher level thinking skills. The questions that I post also require students to go back into text and collect evidence to support their answer. My 7th & 8th graders have trouble citing from text and creating a thoughtful, informative writing response. I felt that through the use of a blog, they could first prepare their response on paper, but when they post their response they are able to view examples of other student work. Not only are they privy to other students' thought processes, but they are able to look at how students are citing their work. They can learn through others!
I have found that my students seem enthusiastic about blogging because it is very similar to Facebook. One thing I have learned when giving a blogging assignment is to provide time for them to create a draft on paper before signing on to the blog. They must prepare their response on their own first because I have found that they look at other responses and often their work may not reflect their own thinking. They are used to posting on Facebook and are not accustomed to thinking before posting! I have had to find ways to ensure that students are taking the assignment seriously and actually learning, which was initially a concern for me.
I have also created a really good blogging rubric if anyone is interested! This also helps lets students know exactly what is expected from their responses and helps them to realize the importance of the blog assignment!
I use my current blog to support the novel that my students are reading in class. I post questions about the novel that encourage my students to really reflect using higher level thinking skills. The questions that I post also require students to go back into text and collect evidence to support their answer. My 7th & 8th graders have trouble citing from text and creating a thoughtful, informative writing response. I felt that through the use of a blog, they could first prepare their response on paper, but when they post their response they are able to view examples of other student work. Not only are they privy to other students' thought processes, but they are able to look at how students are citing their work. They can learn through others!
I have found that my students seem enthusiastic about blogging because it is very similar to Facebook. One thing I have learned when giving a blogging assignment is to provide time for them to create a draft on paper before signing on to the blog. They must prepare their response on their own first because I have found that they look at other responses and often their work may not reflect their own thinking. They are used to posting on Facebook and are not accustomed to thinking before posting! I have had to find ways to ensure that students are taking the assignment seriously and actually learning, which was initially a concern for me.
I have also created a really good blogging rubric if anyone is interested! This also helps lets students know exactly what is expected from their responses and helps them to realize the importance of the blog assignment!
Anytime you can get a kid interested by using something they are familiar with, it's a great thing. Showing them how to use the Internet for something other than games and social networks is very valuable. Sharing the rubric would be a great thing. You could upload it to your Google Apps account and then share it with the school. (You'll learn how to do that later in the 23 Things).
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