The article written by David Huffaker does bring some promising information in regards to the use of educational blogging. With such a rise in technological development within school districts, it would only make sense to allow students to use it to its full potential. Among the four million published weblogs, almost 53% are created by children and adolescence between the ages 13-19 (Henning 2003). It may be a more comfortable form of communication when sharing educational based ideas. For many students, it is hard for them to express their ideas in front of an entire class (this can also serve as another form of assessment for the teacher, especially if a students does not participate in class). For example, as students read daily requirements in a literary text, they can discuss the readings with one another and help each other out when questions are raised.
The main problem with the use of educational blogs is the possibility of unacceptable behavior and the unwanted presence of outside participants. This would require constant monitoring by the teachers who decided to use this form of communication along with the assistance of parents/guardians. The only way such communication would be suitable for a secondary school setting is if the school set up privately run blog pages that could not be obtained by outside sources. An easier way of sharing ideas could be done through the use of Blackboard. Here students can use the program to access email, check assignments, and use discussion boards (which would take place of the blog).
I can't make up my mind on whether I would use it with my students. Let me know what you think. I could use some insight. The following link has some helpful info.
1 comment:
Ask your students. See what they think...
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