Potential of Blogs in Secondary Schools

After seeing how well others are doing with their blogging I am slowly but surely starting to get into the swing of it and may push the boat out further in my next few postings. Hopefully they will look better than blocks of typing like my last few… Wish me luck!!!! Ha.

·      

•      Blogs have such a range of uses in many different contexts. For instance, strictly educational, reflective or personal.

• ·       Student’s work is one area, it is easier for the teacher and student to access. No more “the dog ate my homework miss” Both can comment on postings.

•               Can be accessed or created anywhere. Discussion is no longer kept within a classroom.

•               Enables students to be creative in their work, an insight into their thoughts on particular topics if the blog is subject related.

•               Encourages collaboration amongst students.

I found an interesting website that gave strengths of Blogs in Teaching and Learning. Breaking it down into 9 categories. I found that a few of these categories were useful.

 Activate. Using a blog as a catalyst to generate motivation for certain subjects. 

Connect. Provide a context or establish a connection.

Critique. Critically evaluate an idea or perspective by using examples. (This can be done by looking at other blogs available on certain topics and use as examples.)

Deepen.  Add depth to learning situation by providing a detailed explanation, thoughtful observation, or new resource that provides additional information or insights. 

Expand.   Broaden students thinking.

Inform.  Provide primary sources or data that help explain an idea already presented. Using graphs, statistics to illustrate a point.

Launch. Present a new idea and ask questions to keep the new idea going.

Synthesise. Bring a number of ideas together. Consolidate comments and draw a new conclusion. 

•             Schools would have to have enough computers/internet access for blogging to be successful in a classroom.

• ·         Not all students have constant access to the internet outside of school.

• ·        Internet connections are not always reliable.

• ·         Teachers must be ICT ‘savvy’

• ·         Not all students will be interested in blogging enough to take full advantage of its ability as a space for reflective learning.

Blogs are a useful tool for students to reflect on their own learning.