Journal #6

Blog On: Building Communication and Collaboration among Staff and Students
by Catherine Poling (Learning and Leading with Technology Vol. 32 No. 6)

This article focuses on various ways to use blogs in the educational setting. According to Ms. Poling, individual blogs at the elementary level are not effective. However, classroom blogs can encourage deeper learning, and can promote good expression and community among classmates. I find this to be an exciting avenue to possibly look into for my own future classes. In this article, even third graders were critiquing and making suggestions about others' work. The writing examples were impressive! Blogging is definitely worth using as part of a total writing package. Ms. Poling also discusses how useful blogs can be among teachers at a school. Teachers can try various projects out at a workshop and then share/discuss in the school blog how the new information they learned worked for them in the class. In a profession where one spends most days isolated from colleagues, blogs can be especially useful to share information and ideas on a regular basis, instead of waiting for the next scheduled meeting.

1. How can educators ensure security for students who are keeping blogs? Security must be stressed before any online projects begin. Students should use initials for identifying eachother. Teachers must be constantly reviewing the projects.

2. How can I be instrumental in creating a blogging environment among my colleagues? Opportunity knocks when there is a workshop or project scheduled! Prepare a brief presentation and have the blog already set up for a quick start. Keep the momentum going by offering support to those new to blogging and comment on others' blogs.