When one is asked to think of words that can be used to describe a classroom, the word blog probably does not come to mind. I would assume that this word is not commonly associated with elementary and secondary education, yet it is definitely becoming more prevent within educational language. The concept behind the word blog offers so many beneficial elements to the world of education. Blogs are taking education beyond past traditions. I have never blogged before nor have I really understood all that blogging has to offer. After learning about blogging, I can now see how beneficial blogging can be in education for teachers and students alike.
Mr. Lynn, a sixth grade teacher at Hutchinson Elementary School in Lakewood, Colorado, stated on his 'Teacher Blog' that "blogging is a nice way for him to satisfy his urge to write!" Besides just satisfying the urge to write, teachers can use blogs to connect, communicate, and collaborate. Teachers can write on blogs to connect with parents and students. Blogs provide a way for teachers to communicate with parents and students concerning classroom happenings, important information, and special achievements. Teachers can also use blogs to share and collaborate with other educators concerning lesson ideas, standard specification, event planning, and classroom management suggestions. With the ability to comment on blog posts, collaboration is easily achieved along with the development of an ongoing conversation. What a great tool that gets writing out--beyond the traditional paper copy.
Students can also gain from the use of blogs in classrooms. Blogs can be great teaching tools from which students can learn about writing, collaboration, and communication. According to Gwen Solomon and Lynne Schrum (2010), "Blogs encourage writers and responders to develop thinking, analytical, and communication skills" (p. 18). Students have normally written papers in class knowing that their audience is primarily their teacher. Due to the public nature of blogging, students who use blogs instantly realize that their audience is not only their teacher but also includes parents, classmates, and possibly anyone else. The realization of an authentic audience, leads students to work harder on their writing and communication skills. Reading others blogs assists students in developing reading and comprehension skills. Due to the fact comments can be made on posts, students can use blogs to collaborate with others to gain new information that can add to better understanding of the subject. Students can use blogs for personal journals, reading summaries, gaining feedback, and discussing specific subjects.
When a classroom moves to blogging, it will lead to learning and growth beyond the traditional ways. As I learned about the benefits of blogging, I saw many wonderful ideas on how blogs are being used by teachers and students. Teachers, like Mr. Lynn and Jan Smith, are utilizing both teacher and student blogs to bring new benefits to the classroom. I look forward to continual investigation of how blogs are being used in classrooms. I plan on someday integrating this creative and valuable tool into my classroom to go beyond the past and to look toward the future. Hopefully the continual integration of blogs into classrooms will allow students and teachers to accomplish what Mr. Weir, a third grade teacher at Hutchinson Elementary, wishes to accomplish- "What we are doing here is not merely "learning stuff." We are making meaning of our lives. We will, in the end, not only be excellent workers, but we will live lives full of glory and beauty because of what we learned in school.
Solomon, Gwen and Lynne Schrum. (2010). Web 2.0 how-to for educators. Washington, DC: International Society for Technology in Education.
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