As I discussed in my last blog, blogging has its place. I still am a proponent of blogging as a way toward full self expression when a student has some other physical/emotional impediment that might detract from the power of her words. However, I believe blogging in grades K-12 needs to take place in a blackboard-like setting, as one of my colleagues mentioned. This way safeguarding is ensured. Blogs are a great way to have a communal response to an article. Newsworthy events can potentially be good fodder for blogs, such as elections.
There are many other opportunities for literacy activities with regards to blogs. For example, any 10 year old girl would love to read “Happy Birthday, Addy!” - a book from the American girl collection. After finishing, the student could type out a journal entry in “Addy’s” diary. Maybe the teacher could direct her to imagine all the things she’ll do now that the Civil war is over and she is free. Another student could piggyback on this first entry and blog more thoughts as a sort of a chain letter. Students could write silly poems and stories on their blog. Or they could focus on learning how to write a Haiku. In the case where they were following the phases of the moon for a science project, the student could document his findings on a blog and compare his findings with his peers.
For the most part I see blogs as a positive educational tool but I do believe we should proceed with caution. I would be weary about putting up pictures of students at all. That’s just me. I would be afraid of potential fallout and the unwanted exposure these kids, whom we are supposed to protect, might get. I guess my phrase with regards is “proceed with caution.”
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