What is a blog?

• Blog/WebLog:



 a web page
containing brief,
chronologically
arranged items of
information.
•
 A blog can take
the form of a diary,
journal, what's new
page, or links to other
web sites.


 Peter Scott,
Internet Librarian
 What is blogging?
•
 Blogging is the posting of
journal-like pages to a website.
While these pages can contain
photos or media, they are
primarily focused on the easy
ability to post written thoughts to
a website. The postings are
organized chronologically.


 Typically, a blog "post" can

be "commented" on by others,
allowing for a dialogue on the
topic of the post. Teachers and
educators have used blogs to
allow for "peer review," meaning
that students can post writings
or assignments to the web, and
 What is blogging?
•
 In a broader and more
educational system, blogs
are about
communicating. You
observe your experience,
reflect on it, and then
write about it.


 Other people read your

reflections, respond from
their perspectives by
commenting or writing their
own blog article. You read
 Young people tend to be relatively high users of technology
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• AST Conference
BECTA
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BECTA AST Conference

 Blogging: Teacher
Communication
• Te a ch e rs w illo fte n sta rt a b lo g fo r p ro vid in g
 communication to students, parents, or other
teachers.
Sometimes this is just the posting of
homework or other assignments in one
easy-to-find location. Other times this
can be a richer description of the
things taking place in the classroom,
specifically drawing the parents into
what their children are working on, or
for students who have been absent. This
type of blog can also take advantage of
the comment feature for students and
parents to ask questions or for
clarification, where the answer would
be of interest to all the readers.
 Student Blogs
The providing of each student with an individual blog seems to
•
generate the most significant enthusiasm for blogging among
students. students with individual blogs have an opportunity to
discover
 the work and joy of communicating their ideas in written
form, and then getting feedback from others.

In our case, the blogs are not made public, and the feedback is just
from classmates

It is advisable to publish blogs under a nickname and without any

personal details, so that the incredible excitement that can come
from communicating with a global audience does not place the
student in harm's way.

Student blogging has to be overseen with coaching and

training to make sure that both that personal data is not
communicated and that blog posts are appropriate .

It is advisable to ensure students know the rules of blogging for

their class.
 What blogging does for
students
• Helps them find a voice
• Creates enthusiasm for writing and
communication
• Engages students in conversations and
learning
• Provides an opportunity to teach about
responsible journalism
• Empowers students
• Gives students an opportunity to reflect
on their learning

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BECTA AST Conference ©NCSL/BECTA, 2006 M. Blows & T. Richardson
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BECTA AST Conference

 Use in the Classroom


Educational uses of blogs



 


Within an organisational perspective a blog can support:




 • a common online presence for subject-related information such
as deadlines, handouts, assignments and resources
 • an online area for students to post questions relating to
assessment and communicate in a subject specific way rather than a
more social way
 


Within a pedagogical perspective a blog can support:


 Blog Use
• Class portal (curriculum information / resources and
useful links / homework tasks)
• Online filing cabinet (record of learning / reflections /
feedback –AfL)
• E-Portfolio (archive of students’ best work – evaluated
by student)
• Collaborative space for students (collaboration
between peers within and outside school / experts)
• Staff collaboration (sharing lesson ideas / resources /
useful links)
• Build resources / revision sites for students (student
collaboration in publishing and editing)
• School website (updated on a regular basis)
• CPD (reflective journal for NQT and mentor?)

BECTA AST Conference – peter.hoskins@kirklees.gov.uk

 Advantages
• Constructivist
• Increases motivation and participation
• Extends learning beyond the classroom
• Develops literacy
• Develops evaluation / reflection / meta-
cognition / research / synthesis
• Develops expertise in a given area of the
curriculum
• Allows for collaboration between individuals and
groups
• Provides and archive of learning
• Supports a range of learning styles
• Supports parental involvement (e.g. Use of RSS
BECTA
feeds)
AST Conference – peter.hoskins@kirklees.gov.uk
 ‘The development of knowledge
through learning to self-publish and
comment on postings that adhere to
the protocols and norms of behaviour
in the chosen communication
network is expected to enhance the
learners’ reflective, meta-cognitive
and written skills as well as
management of their learning.’

http://secondlanguagewriting.com/explorations/Archives/2006/Jun/HowtoUseBlogsintheClass