Response to "Using Blogs in the Classroom"

I really appreciated the information provided in this chapter because it answered many of the management questions I had about how to use a blog appropriately in the classroom. My initial thoughts are that I would like to set up a Moodle account and give kids each their own private blog, following much of the process that Mike Hetherington used (p. 129) in his classroom. It seemed safe and controlled. I would then establish a centralized blog where students could publish information for the entire class to see and share information. I think in this way, I could feel good about giving students their own page for self-expression while also providing them a place to share.

I also appreciated the honesty in this chapter with the reasonable warnings about the use of blogging. It will take time to manage and time to orient kids to the blogging world if they are unfamiliar with this medium. I also appreciated the "acceptable use policy" (p. 135) established by Brad Hunt. I envision using something similar as part of my classroom policy. I also think the authors provide sage advice by suggesting that teachers explain the rationale for blogging to parents and acquiring permission. My class syllabus I send home for parents to sign at the beginning of the year seems an appropriate place to attach this.

Many things I already do in class--silent discussions (which I learned from Christy Cochran last year in NIWP SI) and lit circles could be partly or wholly replaced by blogging. I'm thinking about possibly spending a day each week in the computer lab for digital writing or blogging. If I do this, I will be sure to keep in mind that students seem to respond more when they receive comments from one another. I'll also be sure to keep in mind that once it becomes an authentic place for them to write and not just another assignment, students will be more likely to engage in meaningful participation.