Mr. Brandt | June 7, 2008 | 5:12 PM

Reflection Activity: Classroom Blogging Activities

Blogging can be a motivating activity to help improve students' reading and writing skills. The process of organizing thoughts, summarizing information, and appropriately expressing one's view promotes higher-order thinking. As with any new classroom activity, careful planning must be made prior to implementation. This will help ensure students reach the intended learning objectives and hep the teacher develop clear expectations.

One of the most common blogging activities is to have students read, reflect, and comment on selected reading material. The comment should contribute to the online conversation and promote further discussion from the learning community. Today, you will complete a common reflection activity. Follow the steps below:

  1. Read & Research: Blogging: Learning Blogs - The Activities
  2. Reflect: How does this information apply to your classroom? What blogging activities could you use in your classroom to help students reach specific learning objectives?
  3. Comment: Click the Comment link below this post to add your thoughts. Write in a conversational style; present thoughts, opinions, and information that would encourage others to continue the conversation.

How does a teacher assess this process? Many teachers have tried to formalize the process with rubrics: (1), (2). The overwhelming number of posts and comments often causes an assessment nightmare and the blog falls by the wayside. Others are taking more of a "checklist" approach: (3). What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

on  June 10, 2008  at  10:07 AM
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Blogs can be used in the classroom to allow students to share information and ideas in an easy and convenient way. Through the supervision of a teacher; blogs can be used as a learning tool. In my classroom blogging can be used to discuss a topic that we are learning about in science. I could also use a blog as a communication tool between students and myself. It could be used as a question answer session before a test.
on  June 10, 2008  at  10:08 AM
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I think that using blogs in my classroom would be beneficial. The reason that I think this is because many students are very comfortable using the computer - not that it should or ever will take the place of actually writing in my Language Arts class - LOL :)
Blogs would be a great way to create assignments in LA and computer, two classes that I teach.
Hi Mr. Brandt! CONGRATULATIONS on your new house!
on  June 10, 2008  at  10:11 AM
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In my classroom, I start the day off with a bellringer. The bellringer is a question to get the students thinking about the topic that we'll be discussing for the day. I think blogging might be another approach to the bellringer. If I post a question on a blog, students wouldn't be restricted in how the amount of time that they are allowed to write. I only give them 2-3 minutes to answer the bellringer. Blogging would allow for more time. It would also provide more insight into what others are thinking about the topic. Students could comment on each other's answers.
Naughty, Naughty!!!
on  June 10, 2008  at  10:34 AM

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@amyk-np, I like your ideas. I think I'll use that for my classroomm as well. Thanks!
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