Blogging in the Classroom

There are many positives and negatives that come into play went integrating technology, such as blogging, into a classroom. After reviewing the readings I feel that blogging can be a very beneficial tool of learning in the classroom if used properly. However, I also feel that the age level of such a source should be taken into consideration. For this assignment I have decided to look into grade 8 students with a focus on the curricular area of social sciences. Clarence Fisher expresses in the first link below, the positive influence that blogging can have on student learning. I agree with him that blogs can be a way for students to learn and discover new places, and cultures in this world. They can also take ownership in sharing their own culture and traditions. Below are some links that address blogging in the classroom.

http://remoteaccess.typepad.com/remote_access/2006/05/blogs_invitatio.html

http://kmh274.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/blogs-in-the-classroom/

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47

The grade 8 curriculum involves learning about culture and community as well as getting to know the history of other cultures. I can see the how learning directly through the stories of other students from different countries can be more impacting then reading about culture through a textbook. However, there are also several dangers in using this type of technology. Blogs are great ways for student to easily read and learn great detail about another student and his or her culture. Therefore it is very crucial for restrictions to be set in place to ensure web safety. I choose to support blogging being integrated into the classroom at the grade 8 level because I feel that student in this generation would most likely be already involved in web based interactions with peers, such as “facebook” or “myspace.” Therefore I feel that teaching blogging in a classroom will help structure the value of such resources, and give opportunities for students to learn the importance of safety when using the web.

The steps below can be followed to learn how to ensure safety in the classroom…

It is import to remember that as a teacher you are responsible for all that takes place in your classroom. Therefore I would ensure that the students are on task when working on computers during class time. I would also personally read the blogs of my students to make sure that the content of their work is appropriate and not too personal.
I might also set up some blocking devices where I link all the class blogs together and make is so that only members of the class can add comments on each others blogs. If there was a way to block random viewers from seeing the sites, I would also set in place that restriction. It would be neat to get in touch with another teacher overseas and link that classroom of students with my own classroom of students so that the cultural learning experience is a structured and safe and environment.