While there are indeed many benefits of using a blog in the classroom and where I might possible implement a blog into my curriculum, there are a few disadvantages that would discourage me from blogging.
As a teacher, we are already burdened with lesson planning, writing and grading tests, and dealing with parents and the administration. Having to take the time to read and respond to blogs would be ever more time consuming, not including the time it would take to monitor the blogs for bullying and inappropriate comments. Blogging would simply take up a lot of time.
Another drawback would be the worry that posts and comments would become visible to the public and possible predators attacking my students. Even with strict guidelines and a password protected blog, there is always some sort of danger lurking about.
And then of course there are some that would not knowingly be too free with their comments while others not free enough because of their own insecurities. (Michele Lee)
Hi Michele, I understand when you say that it can become overwhelming when using blogging in the classroom. In matters of providing feedback, I think that in some occasions a teacher should provide feedback and others in which it is not necessary. Sometimes what teachers only want to do is briefly check for understanding; therefore, they may require students to post a short response in a blog site. This is similar to the types of informative assessments that take place in the classroom, where the teacher is looking for evidence of students’ understanding. An example would be when teachers ask students to put thumbs up or down to check for understanding in the classroom. In this type of case, it is not required that a teacher provides feedback. The same should be with blogging. Replying to every post may take a considerable amount of time. For brief responses on a discussion, for example, the teacher can probably post one summary of the discussion for the entire class. On the other hand, there will be occasions in which it is essential that the teacher submits individualized feedback, so the students are able to correct and learn from their mistakes. This occurs either in a face- to- face classroom or in an e-learning environment.
I definitely see where you are coming from, however, I think blogging can actually take away the workload teachers have with grading things like writing. It is much easier to read and respond where students can immediately see their grade and comments as opposed to waiting for a teacher to enter the grades in the gradebook and THEN hand them back. I think when it comes to safety, blogging is a great place to practice the way students should be interacting online since cyber bullying has become such an issue. Bloggin with such structure and observation will set an example for how children should interact online.
Hi Michele, I agree that using a blog in the classroom can be worrisome especially when we are discussing the safety of our students. I believe that some sites have stricter, safer guidelines than others. I think that's the most important aspect to research before using a blog with students. From my understanding of the material we watched/read and from other classmates' ideas in implementing blogs in the classroom, I do not believe it is meant as extra work for teachers. I believe this would take place instead of some traditional writing samples you would already be having your students produce. -Candice
You bring up some great thoughts about some potential issues! With the security blogs provide, you have many options to keep your students protected. Site passwords, the ability to read and approve posts before they are published, and granting permission for blog members are just the beginning.
Your point about being time consuming is what I would be concerned about too. Will I have enough time to read through 60 blogs and make effective comments for all of them? I am not sure if I would given the amount of free time I have had over the last couple school years.
Hi Michele- I understand your concerns, especially when it comes to time management. However, I think using a blog to communicate with parents on a weekly basis could be beneficial and perhaps take away another part of your work. You could use a blog to share with parents what students have learned about over the past week and remind them of important upcoming dates. I really liked how the FCLC used blogs in "Blogging as a Way to Promote Family-Professional Partnerships" to communicate with parents in a positive light. You should also look into www.kidblog.org. It is a completely FREE and SAFE platform where you can create individual blogs for your students. Students can collaborate on projects, participate in discussions, or respond to questions or writing prompts on their own blogs. The best part is, that it eliminates a stack or two of papers that would otherwise be brought home for grading. I am all for anything that helps me carry fewer papers back and forth! Thanks for sharing! Elaine
These concerns are valid. As mentioned, there are plenty of safe and free blog sites that will protect students and schools/teachers.
In addition to that, using blogging may not necessarily overwhelm teachers. Perhaps during their planning period a teacher could provide feedback or on a Sunday evening provide feedback on the blog sites. This may be less worrisome than bringing home a stack of papers to grade when you can do everything through the comfort of your laptop at home or your desk at home. Online tools can be a learning experience for students and a more convenient tool for teachers.
While there are indeed many benefits of using a blog in the classroom and where I might possible implement a blog into my curriculum, there are a few disadvantages that would discourage me from blogging.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, we are already burdened with lesson planning, writing and grading tests, and dealing with parents and the administration. Having to take the time to read and respond to blogs would be ever more time consuming, not including the time it would take to monitor the blogs for bullying and inappropriate comments. Blogging would simply take up a lot of time.
Another drawback would be the worry that posts and comments would become visible to the public and possible predators attacking my students. Even with strict guidelines and a password protected blog, there is always some sort of danger lurking about.
And then of course there are some that would not knowingly be too free with their comments while others not free enough because of their own insecurities. (Michele Lee)
Hi Michele,
DeleteI understand when you say that it can become overwhelming when using blogging in the classroom. In matters of providing feedback, I think that in some occasions a teacher should provide feedback and others in which it is not necessary. Sometimes what teachers only want to do is briefly check for understanding; therefore, they may require students to post a short response in a blog site. This is similar to the types of informative assessments that take place in the classroom, where the teacher is looking for evidence of students’ understanding. An example would be when teachers ask students to put thumbs up or down to check for understanding in the classroom. In this type of case, it is not required that a teacher provides feedback. The same should be with blogging. Replying to every post may take a considerable amount of time. For brief responses on a discussion, for example, the teacher can probably post one summary of the discussion for the entire class. On the other hand, there will be occasions in which it is essential that the teacher submits individualized feedback, so the students are able to correct and learn from their mistakes. This occurs either in a face- to- face classroom or in an e-learning environment.
I definitely see where you are coming from, however, I think blogging can actually take away the workload teachers have with grading things like writing. It is much easier to read and respond where students can immediately see their grade and comments as opposed to waiting for a teacher to enter the grades in the gradebook and THEN hand them back.
DeleteI think when it comes to safety, blogging is a great place to practice the way students should be interacting online since cyber bullying has become such an issue. Bloggin with such structure and observation will set an example for how children should interact online.
Hi Michele,
DeleteI agree that using a blog in the classroom can be worrisome especially when we are discussing the safety of our students. I believe that some sites have stricter, safer guidelines than others. I think that's the most important aspect to research before using a blog with students.
From my understanding of the material we watched/read and from other classmates' ideas in implementing blogs in the classroom, I do not believe it is meant as extra work for teachers. I believe this would take place instead of some traditional writing samples you would already be having your students produce.
-Candice
Hi Michele-
DeleteYou bring up some great thoughts about some potential issues! With the security blogs provide, you have many options to keep your students protected. Site passwords, the ability to read and approve posts before they are published, and granting permission for blog members are just the beginning.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Aisha
Hello Michelle,
DeleteYour point about being time consuming is what I would be concerned about too. Will I have enough time to read through 60 blogs and make effective comments for all of them? I am not sure if I would given the amount of free time I have had over the last couple school years.
-Kevin
Hi Michele-
ReplyDeleteI understand your concerns, especially when it comes to time management. However, I think using a blog to communicate with parents on a weekly basis could be beneficial and perhaps take away another part of your work. You could use a blog to share with parents what students have learned about over the past week and remind them of important upcoming dates. I really liked how the FCLC used blogs in "Blogging as a Way to Promote Family-Professional Partnerships" to communicate with parents in a positive light.
You should also look into www.kidblog.org. It is a completely FREE and SAFE platform where you can create individual blogs for your students. Students can collaborate on projects, participate in discussions, or respond to questions or writing prompts on their own blogs. The best part is, that it eliminates a stack or two of papers that would otherwise be brought home for grading. I am all for anything that helps me carry fewer papers back and forth!
Thanks for sharing!
Elaine
These concerns are valid. As mentioned, there are plenty of safe and free blog sites that will protect students and schools/teachers.
DeleteIn addition to that, using blogging may not necessarily overwhelm teachers. Perhaps during their planning period a teacher could provide feedback or on a Sunday evening provide feedback on the blog sites. This may be less worrisome than bringing home a stack of papers to grade when you can do everything through the comfort of your laptop at home or your desk at home. Online tools can be a learning experience for students and a more convenient tool for teachers.