Blogging In Education

Melissa Holt

Assignment 3

EDT 5372

Dr. Zhang

            After reading the 3-D blogging framework developed by Richard Byrne in A Complete Guide to Using Blogger in School, ideas that I have for using blogs for each of the three purposes (distribution, discussion, and demonstration) in my current 5^th grade science classroom are listed below.   

      Blogging for Distribution

            Blogging increases opportunities for information, ideas, thoughts, feelings, and learning to be shared among web users. For the purpose of distribution, I would create a blog page for the parents and guardians of my 5^th grade students. In this blog, I would utilize my blog as a way to communicate to parents about homework, and upcoming important dates (i.e. science fair, planetarium field trip).  I would not only provide information that pertains to my 5^th grade science classroom, but I would also use it as a way to communicate to parents about campus events as well.  While the purpose of this form of blogging does not require much discussion, I believe it would be a great approach to maintaining basic communication with parents using Web 2.0 tools.

Blogging for Discussion

            The characteristics of Web 2.O allows web users to not only utilize the web for reading purposes, but also to write and have a contributing role using various Web 2.0 tools. For the purpose of discussion, I would create a closed blog page for students, parents/guardians, and myself.  I would post a daily question of the day that get’s parents and students thinking together.  Students would be required to provide a short answer response of at least 2 sentences to begin with, and as the school year progresses, students will be required to have more in depth responses.  In addition, students would also have to reflect on at least 2 other students blogging update each week with reflections being composed of at least two sentences to begin with. Eventually, students will be required to have more in depth responses to their peers.  Parents/guardians will be encourages to read their child’s post each week and join in our classroom discussion and our learning process.  I would only allow parents/guardians to participate in the blog if there was a way to ensure that parents/guardians can only see and respond to their own child’s blog entries.  My reasoning for limiting parent/guardian responses, is that some parents/guardians can be overly critical of other students. However, I believe that by allowing parents/guardians to comment on their child’s posting, this might be a neat way to get parents/guardians involved in our students learning in the 21^st century. 

Blogging for Demonstration

            Blogging in the educational setting can help facilitate the learning of students as well as help students develop critical thinking skills. For the purpose of demonstration, I would have students create their own blog pages.  Students would be required to upload new information on their blog on a weekly basis on weeks that school is in session.  Each week I would provide students with a narrowed topic.  Each week students will have an assignment correlated to the narrowed topic with questions being aligned to state standards.  Students would have to complete their assignment updates on their self-generated blog pages.  Students would be encouraged to upload or hyperlink articles that they may find interesting on the topic of the week, or students might upload pictures of labs being conducted during class and/or upload science based drawings that they may have completed.