To Blog or not to Blog....
My first attempt at having students "blog" was 5 years ago. I wanted my students to maintain an on-line discussion, and I thought blogging would be a good/free way to do it. I abandoned "blogging" a few years later when my school system purchased a software program that would allow my students to participate in a real threaded discussion.
I never really used a blog with my students in the real sense of the word, web journal. That is until recently. My students are reading Things Fall Apart. In the past I have had them keep dialectical journals, but this year I wanted to explore other options. I decided to go back to blogging, and I am so happy I did.
This particular novel is great for journaling or blogging because it produces a lot of emotions. I introduced the novel by telling the students we were going to study a novel that would enrage them, shock them, surprise them, and make them think. I also told them that they were going to write about the emotions they experienced while reading the novel. I gave them instructions for how to use Blogger.com and instructed them to write about how they felt while reading the novel. I also gave them the option to keep a standard journal if they do not have a computer at home. I did not tell them how long the entry had to be or what the entry had to be about other than I wanted to know what they were thinking and feeling as they read. The results have been amazing!
I am so glad that I choose to have them blog. Overall, 90% of my students have chosen to blog rather than keep a standard journal. I have found that they make lengthier, more thoughtful entries while blogging versus the journal. I am not really sure why. Furthermore, I find myself making more comments on the blogs. I guess it is just easier, quicker to type. It has been really nice to read their thoughts, some that would never have been expressed in class. Overall, I would rate this assignment an A+.
I have come up with a few tips for anyone who might be considering having their students blog:
I never really used a blog with my students in the real sense of the word, web journal. That is until recently. My students are reading Things Fall Apart. In the past I have had them keep dialectical journals, but this year I wanted to explore other options. I decided to go back to blogging, and I am so happy I did.
This particular novel is great for journaling or blogging because it produces a lot of emotions. I introduced the novel by telling the students we were going to study a novel that would enrage them, shock them, surprise them, and make them think. I also told them that they were going to write about the emotions they experienced while reading the novel. I gave them instructions for how to use Blogger.com and instructed them to write about how they felt while reading the novel. I also gave them the option to keep a standard journal if they do not have a computer at home. I did not tell them how long the entry had to be or what the entry had to be about other than I wanted to know what they were thinking and feeling as they read. The results have been amazing!
I am so glad that I choose to have them blog. Overall, 90% of my students have chosen to blog rather than keep a standard journal. I have found that they make lengthier, more thoughtful entries while blogging versus the journal. I am not really sure why. Furthermore, I find myself making more comments on the blogs. I guess it is just easier, quicker to type. It has been really nice to read their thoughts, some that would never have been expressed in class. Overall, I would rate this assignment an A+.
I have come up with a few tips for anyone who might be considering having their students blog:
- Select a novel that will get them thinking and feeling.
- Don't assign too many entries. I only assigned 4
- Don't give them specific questions to answer. Let them decide what is important to address.
- Give them plenty of support, including technical support.
- Give them a worksheet that will show them how to set up and maintain their blog.
- Allow them the option to keep a standard reading journal.
- Make comments on their blog. No blogger wants to think that no one wants to read their blog.
I have found that my students really enjoyed this activity, and I am also finding that they are really thinking about what they are reading. It is nice to see them interacting with the text instead of just reading it so they will pass the quiz. I think that you will find blogging to be fun for the student and the teacher. Happy blogging!
posted by ehbeagle at
3:48 PM
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