Student Blogging in the Classroom Justin Hoering & Christopher Baut Fort Wayne Community Schools

Why should students blog? Blogging empower students to… Engage with an authentic audience Participate in real world collaboration and feedback Practice digital citizenship Personalize their own learning environment Track their growth throughout the year Chris – reference research/data to support why student blogging is an effective approach to writing and collaborating in the classroom. 2015-2016 SRI Data: BOY Test = 55% Proficient/Advanced EOY Test = 64% Proficient/Advanced “Blogging can improve students’ writing skills and build their confidence as writers. By blogging, students can take ownership of their writing, become better observers of others’ writing, and develop a more immediate and powerful understanding of audience.” “Students are used to writing and communicating in the digital landscape whether it be Twitter, FaceBook, Tumblr, or email. While reading their fellow students’ blogs and comments, and responding online with their own comments, students recognize the value of clarity and what makes for strong and engaging posts.” Gayle Morris University of Michigan http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/sweetland/Home/Instructors/Teaching%20Resources/UsingBlogsintheClassroom.pdf Justin.Hoering@fwcs.k12.in.us // MrHoering.Edublogs.org // Christopher.Baut@fwcs.k12.in.us

What does it look like? In my classroom… All student blogs are hosted and safely monitored through my teacher blog Students customize their own websites Digital citizenship skills are modeled and practiced Students publish their final drafts Students engage with a global community Justin – Explain how to set up and facilitate a safe, relevant, and educational digital learning environment. Nothing can be published (posts or comments) without my permission I teach students how to create a website that reflects their interests I model digital citizenship through my own blog and provide students with opportunities to practice these skills Only final drafts are published to reflect the end product of the writing process The SBC allows students to engage with other students around the world. Students are also paired up with a writing mentor from another country. Go to internet show what teacher blog looks like (MrHoering.edublogs.org) Show examples of student blogs Design: http://jennifer217.edublogs.org/ Community Comments: http://jessica283.edublogs.org/2015/10/30/mitzi-toepfer/#comments Global engagement: http://studentchallenge.edublogs.org 115 classes 1300 students 15 countries 32 mentors Explain dashboard – website maintenance and moderation of student blogs Justin.Hoering@fwcs.k12.in.us // MrHoering.Edublogs.org // Christopher.Baut@fwcs.k12.in.us

Resources/Student Examples Mr. Hoering’s Classroom Blog Online Book Club Community Personalized Learning Environment Community Engagement Global Collaboration Justin – Explain how to set up and facilitate a safe, relevant, and educational digital learning environment. Nothing can be published (posts or comments) without my permission I teach students how to create a website that reflects their interests I model digital citizenship through my own blog and provide students with opportunities to practice these skills Only final drafts are published to reflect the end product of the writing process The SBC allows students to engage with other students around the world. Students are also paired up with a writing mentor from another country. Go to internet show what teacher blog looks like (MrHoering.edublogs.org) Show examples of student blogs Design: http://jennifer217.edublogs.org/ Community Comments: http://jessica283.edublogs.org/2015/10/30/mitzi-toepfer/#comments Global engagement: http://studentchallenge.edublogs.org 115 classes 1300 students 15 countries 32 mentors Explain dashboard – website maintenance and moderation of student blogs Justin.Hoering@fwcs.k12.in.us // MrHoering.Edublogs.org // Christopher.Baut@fwcs.k12.in.us

Activity Visit mrhoering.edublogs.org Leave a comment on the top post explaining how you could incorporate student blogs in your classroom. Feel free to ask questions and respond to other participants’ comments! Refer back to this post when you start creating your student blogs! Chris – reference research/data to support why student blogging is an effective approach to writing and collaborating in the classroom. 2015-2016 SRI Data: BOY Test = 55% Proficient/Advanced EOY Test = 64% Proficient/Advanced “Blogging can improve students’ writing skills and build their confidence as writers. By blogging, students can take ownership of their writing, become better observers of others’ writing, and develop a more immediate and powerful understanding of audience.” “Students are used to writing and communicating in the digital landscape whether it be Twitter, FaceBook, Tumblr, or email. While reading their fellow students’ blogs and comments, and responding online with their own comments, students recognize the value of clarity and what makes for strong and engaging posts.” Gayle Morris University of Michigan http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/sweetland/Home/Instructors/Teaching%20Resources/UsingBlogsintheClassroom.pdf Justin.Hoering@fwcs.k12.in.us // MrHoering.Edublogs.org // Christopher.Baut@fwcs.k12.in.us

Professional Learning Hours Professional Learning Code: Session Evaluation Let us know what you thought of this session. Complete an evaluation electronically on the conference app, or complete the paper evaluation located in the program book. Professional Learning Hours Earn professional learning contact hours to maintain your teaching certification. Write down the code for every session you attend on the card located in the program book. Professional Learning Code: XX-XX