Ways to use a blog in the classroom (Reflection)
I am new when it comes to creating and using blogs for
educational purposes. Using blogs as an educational tool allows children to
create a space online where they can use their creativity and technology skills
in school. For teachers, the sky is the
limit when it comes to what you could use or create a blog for. I think that
blogs would be a great way for students to get to know their peers, the
educator, and vice versa. Students can create a blog with personal photos and
information about their lives and the teacher can follow it throughout the
school year. The activity I included below is about family/cultural
celebrations. This activity allows the students to find a celebration they
enjoy and add it on to their blog and then share it. I believe that creating assignments
that are personal along with giving the students a tool they know how to
utilize allows them to enjoy the learning experience. As a future teacher I
would really love to use the blog in my class and create activities where my
students can go online and put something together that they are proud of. Blogs
are a great idea, so start blogging!!
Here is a webpage I found that gives links to the Top 100 technology blogs for teachers.
Blog Activity:
This is a sample of an activity to use within the classroom that allows children to create their own personal blogs to share a family celebration.
Theme: family celebrations
The children will get into groups and will discuss a “special” family tradition. They will then research mainstream traditions/holidays to compare and contrast differences from their own. Then they will create a blog explaining their tradition and present it to the class.
Set up of the classroom:
The children would be grouped in pairs for the first portion of the activity. Then they will be arranged in a horseshoe so the teacher can come around and guide their research and blog process.
Level of partnering:
Basic partnering is the level that I would choose for my activity. The children are given the assignment and they are allowed to work with groups and then on their own to answer the questions.
Integration of technology:
The children will be given time to use computers to research and also create their blogs.
3 guiding questions:
Why is this tradition special to you?
Is it different from “mainstream” traditions (Christmas, Easter, and Halloween etc)?
How would you explain your tradition to someone you do not know?
