Integrating “Blogs” into Lessons

This is a collection of ideas about specific ways to use “blogs” in your lessons.
As you read through this list; think about variations that you may make in your own lesson plans to fit your objectives. After reading, please add your comments and ideas, so we all may benefit.

Classroom Blog
A place to post announcements, add and clarify homework assignments, answer questions and make sure everyone is on-the-same-page.

Exploratory Project
Before beginning a new unit/subject/content – ask students to find and collect as much information on the subject that they feel will help them with understanding.

Vocabulary List
Encourage students to submit “words” that were “new” to them or that they are having trouble with “meaning”. They could include a “dictionary entry” or better yet – define in their “own words”. Teachers can “tap” this list for classroom use, to determine if other students are having similar vocab issues.

Study Guide
Before the test - ask students to add “What they learned” or “Something in addition” to what was covered in class about a concept or idea. As students read the blog before the test, information is readdressed, synthesized and expanded to higher level thinking skills, which may be beneficial on test day.

Problem Solving
Challenge students by posting “difficult problems” (one’s that require multiple levels of cognition to find solution) and encourage collaboration in finding a solution.

Daily Journal
Students will learn to stop/think/reflect on their learning by entering personnel meanings regularly, plus writing daily increases vocabulary and cognition.

Fan Clubs
During classroom discussions – select “historical figures” or persons you would like to “get-to-know”. Ask students to find and post pictures, quotes and other fun-facts about this person in a blog. (ie. Abraham Lincoln, Muhammad Ali, Leo Durocher)

Classroom Debate
Assign 2 students or 2 groups opposing side of the issue. Before debate, students could “blog” to determine the arguments they will support. Debate could either occur in classroom or on “blog”. Students develop logical thinking, and reasoning skills, but also how to disagree with being disagreeable.

Learning Assessment
Blogging is an excellent way for students to demonstrate their own understanding of subject matter. Blog could be developed over time and amended as understanding develops.

Please share your any additional thought and ideas with us!

Reasons to Use Blogs in the Classroom

I started this blog as a collection point about blogging in our schools today. Many of the ideas presented here have come from talking with other teachers, the web, and personal experiences.

Here is “Why we should use Blogs in our classrooms.”

1. Teachers can share links, documents and other relevant information related to classroom discussions to expand learning

2. Teachers can “pre-teach” by introducing basic elements/concepts before classroom discussion begins, students enter the classroom better prepared to learn.

3. Share Learning & Personal Experiences with others, Students see Issues from varied “Points of view” – children learn about different perspectives and to respect diversity.

4. Develop “Connections” with classmates/teacher - students develop a sense of community and foster personal relationships.

5. Extends Learning beyond Classroom – Both students and parents can access classroom information and direct learning 24/7

6. Can involve parents, as part of the learning experience – we are always looking for ways to get parents involved, what about shared learning or students as teachers.

7. Offers an alternative form of writing – In this time of increased emphasis on reading and writing skills, blogging offers an alternative to over-used: “Write me a paper about –“ mentality.

8. Develops reading skills (just think about how much text you have already read) children increase the amount of time they spending reading, and they aren’t even aware that they are “reading more”.

(Digital reading skills are different from reading text)

These are just a few ideas I came up with, I am sure there are many, many more.

Please feel free to add your own experiences and thoughts about blogging in the classroom.