When researching more information about blogs and how they can be used as learning tools, I found this great video lecture (approx. 15 minutes) www.virclass.net/eped/index.php?action=static&id=29
The video discusses some best practices used for teaching blogging, which the speaker describes in detail. In her experience in teaching blogging, she has found that the best way to teach blogging is to first model it to your students and have discussions on what makes a good blog. She also said that she has had most of her success using blogging in the classroom instead of leaving it as an open ended assignement outside of the classroom. Her suggestions for using it in the class include:
-Using the last ten minutes of class to write/post about the most important thing you learned
- Google a new term being used/learned and post a link to the best definition you can find
- Read another students post and comment on it
- Write a post discussion another students post
She discusses how these blogging assignments foster networking with in the class and help students with thier individual writing skills.
Overall, I found the video to be quite good and feel that it is worth taking a look at.
Stacy
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According to our Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts...(Richardson, 2ndEd, 2009), "Weblogs are truly a constructivist tool for learning. Because the content that students and techers create is on the World World Web, it is content that becomes a part of the wider body of knowledge that the Internet represents." Blogs allows students and teachers alike to organize nd keep record of their work. Blogs are a shareable space that is an important development. This venue allows for the creation of a database of learning that she can continue to build on. However, research on the effects of weblogs on K-12 students is still in its infancy. Blogging can go a long way to teaching skills such as a research, organization, and synthesis of ideas.
ReplyDeleteConnective writing is a form of expository writing, however the process begins with reading with critical eye. Bloggers that write in this way learn to read critically because as they read where they look for important ideas to write about. This metho requires critical thinking skills as they attempt to clarify the purpose of their writing.
Isabel
Stacy, thanks for sharing this web link. It was informative and useful. I also think that when the students see the use of blogging as successfully modeled by the teacher it is often a good way of developing their interest in the tool. The way it is integrated into the lessons and class activities also plays an important part in making them a believer. The approach used in the video will encourage the students to continue blogging and respond to their classmates comments. They will ultimately develop better writing and comprehension skills.
ReplyDeleteAgain, thanks for sharing.
Lorna