Blogging = Student Engagement Delta Kappa Gamma International Spokane, WA July 22, 2010
What is blogging? Online journal A mix of personal thoughts and Web links “Blogs (a.k.a. weblogs) have led to a complete reversal of the ‘diary’ phenomenon – where once young people kept their feelings locked up in a book, today’s kids often prefer to post them online for all to see and share.” -- from Don’t Bother Me Mom – I’m Learning by Marc Prensky
Classroom Blogging TeachersStudents Post class assignmentsWrite own blog Post reading materialReflections on reading or other topics Links to websites/resources Writing or learning log Post learning objectives or questions Post questions for classmates Collect feedback for student understanding Network and get peer validation
Student discourse …
The Blog Pod Project My students must discuss, defend, explain and explore math concepts by: Class discussions Paper Journaling Blogging $10,000 grant from Qwest to use blogging and iPod Touches in the classroom.
Why it works 100% participation (even the shy ones) Students learn from each other and are eager to give and receive comments Teachers can more easily identify misconceptions or weaknesses
But does it support learning? Blogging does not replace or take time away from the curriculum Rather it supports and reinforces: Math Literacy* Technology
Management Students sign Blog Contract Purpose Honesty Online etiquette Give students paper copy of login info. One required assignment per week
Security Do’s and Don’ts Talk to trusted adults about who you chat with online. Ask before downloading anything. Tell a trusted adult if something unusual, or upsetting happens online. Don’t tell people your last name, phone number, or address. Don’t share passwords. Don’t believe everything you read.
Blogging Websites Free Secure Easy to Use
Edmodo.com Similar to Facebook – “microblogging”, live streaming, threaded responses No addresses required Text notifications Easy to organize
Discussions
Assignments
Polls
Science
Add files and more … No total storage limit (100MB per upload) Embed videos Link websites
No Student-to-Student Posts
Text Notifications
Easy to Get Started …
Edublogs.com
Classblogmeister.com
Moodle
iPods and Blogging Internet Research Videos Student-created podcasts about math Applications – dictionary, timer, math games, graphing, moon phases, science extensions
My Blog