A Look Into Using Blogs In The Classroom

As this class began, I found myself wondering just how a blog could really be used well in a classroom. When I was in elementary school, some technology was used, but it was not very advanced and was used very little. So, of course, the idea of blogging in the classroom seemed very odd and wild to me.
However, as I read The Joy of Blogging by Anne P. Davis and Ewa McGrail, I began to see just how a blog could be used. The students in Georgia were so excited to hear from teachers around the world, and share what they were learning with their families, friends, and other children across the continents. I was also glad to see some of the blogs that are being used in classrooms today.
One in particular, however, caught my attention. Indiana Mysteries was from elementary school students in Connersville, IN who were preparing for the visit of an author/scientist name Ron Hirshi. They decided to create mysteries about their native area in Indiana to share with Ron and the rest of the world as they visited their blog. It was so neat to see the pictures of objects they would post, as well as the clues they would give for people to guess at the objects. They were very creative with it, but learning in an interactive way as well. As I looked at the NETS for Teachers, I began to see several that fit with this lesson idea, but two stuck out to me.
The first is 1a) Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers: a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. The teachers that were involved in that project gave the students an outlet to reach their creativity, not only through thinking of the mysteries, but also through developing the blog, choosing the pictures, etc.
The second NETS standard, 2a, also went along the same lines: Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers: a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. The teachers could have just told the kids to bring an object in and see if anyone knew what it was. However, they decided to have the students branch out more. They were able to discover what an object was, learn about and do research on that object, then share it with those around the world and hear their ideas. It was almost a little lesson plan each time they chose an object because they would have to learn about it and share it with others.
I commend the teachers in Connersville, Indiana for reaching out and helping their students learn as much as they can about the new technologies available. I bet their 1-6 graders know more about technology than I as a 19-year old college sophomore do. This was a great learning idea, as well as use of technology and creativity. Hats off to you!

Until next time...

Links to the sites mentioned above:

The Joy of Blogging - http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/The_Joy_of_Blogging.aspx
Indiana Mysteries - http://authorvisitsindiana.blogspot.com/
NETS for Teachers - http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm