Posts
This article explains what blogs are and how they can be
used by a variety of different people. A
blog is an online “web log” that is a collection of thoughts and commentary,
sometimes accompanied by links to other websites. Blogs are characteristically easy to navigate
and create, and can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection. What sets blogs apart from other websites and
tools is the personal nature of the postings and the commentary. Oftentimes, bloggers form groups that
interact with each other and comment on postings on a regular basis.
Another great thing about blogs is that virtually anyone can
make one or participate in one. In
addition to individual blogs, there are group blogs, family blogs, and
educational classroom blogs among many others.
To operate a blog, a person needs only to type up an entry about a
subject of their choice and publish it to the web for others to see. Others can then comment on the entry and
facilitate communication about the subject with the author/authors or other
commentators. Blogs allow for greater
connections with people over the Internet.
One thing to keep in mind however, when blogging and reading others
blogs is that they may contain inaccurate information. There are no limits to what bloggers can post
about and it is up to the reader to verify information on their own. Also, blogs are subjective to their
author. Any blogger can manipulate their
content, add/delete material and comments to suit their needs. It is important to be vigilant when reading
blogs and considering the information they may offer.
In the classroom, blogs are being used to facilitate
communications between the teachers and the students. In the future, teachers should look to include
structured exercises and establish clear goals to maximize the effectiveness of
blogging in the classroom. All in all,
blogs are a positive addition to the classroom discussion forum and look to
have a bright future in the educational world.
7 Things You Should Know About Blogs. (n.d.). EDUCAUSE
Homepage. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from
http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-blogs
I like the idea of creating classroom blogs. I plan on developing a flipped classroom site for portions of the classes that I teach. One way that I envision using a blog is to have a "Question Blog". Students can post questions pertaining to the days lesson on the blog. I would probably dictate a time for my response to questions. This would also allow for students to give responses to questions as well. It would tap higher order thinking skills by having them explain a process or concept to another student.
ReplyDeleteI agree that blogs are a beneficial way for teachers to communicate to students. I think for this to be successful, the teacher would have to work in an area where computers were accessible to students at school and also at home. I agree with your statement that blogs are a positive addition to classrooms. I think that teachers can use this to their benefit and allow students to access information and communicate information to their students this way.
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