GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THOSE LITTLE BLOGS

Nick Shaw (shawn@holycross.school.nz)

Discussion Points

1) What is a Blog and Why do them?

2) Blogging and Inquiry Learning

3) Assessment and the Key Competencies

4) Reflective Blogging

5) Examples

6) Creating a Blog

What is a Blog?• A type of website with regular entries of

commentary, descriptions of events etc.

• Rose in popularity in the early 2000s. Most personal blogs are never read by anyone!

• Can include multimedia such as video (vlogs), pictures, links, art and audio (podcasting).

• Over the last few year ‘microblogging’ (websites such as Twitter’) have increased in popularity.

• Usually have the ability to leave comments and / or responses.

To Blog or Not to Blog?• Helps to motivate reluctant readers / writers and

those who don’t contribute during class time.• Creates instant home – school links.• Record of teaching and learning.• Opportunity to use a Web 2.0 tool and integrate

ICT into classroom practice.• Makes the children members of a global

learning community.• Difficult to set up, maintain, and time consuming• Security and safety of children

Blogging and Inquiry Learning• Share their prior knowledge and experiences.

• Put up their key questions.

Blogging and Inquiry Learning

• Share resources with those who have similar questions.

• Work with group members to collaborate and use information that they have found.

• Could use as a possible presentation tool.

• Reflection and evaluation of their work.

• Parents can see what is happening in the class and contribute to their child’s learning.

Assessment and the Key Competencies

• Thinking: Children reflect on their own learning, make sense of information and ideas, and challenge assumptions and perceptions.

• ULSaT: They confidently use ICT to provide information and communicate with others.

• Managing Self: They manage projects and know how to act independently.

• Relating to Others: Interact with a range of people in a variety of contexts.

• Participating & Contributing: Be actively involved in communities.

Reflective BloggingFor Educators

• Good form of Professional Development review and record keeping.

• Useful for management to understand teachers experiences

For Students

• Helps children to clarify understandings and talk about their learning.

• Can demonstrate a child’s emotional maturity.

• A journal that can’t be read by a snooping sibling or parent.

Reflective Blogging

“WELL, YES, WE COULD READ YOUR BLOG… OR YOU COULD JUST TELL US

ABOUT YOU SCHOOL DAY.”

Creating a Blog and Where to Start?

• Use free blogging host sites. www.21classes.com (Education Based)http://edublogs.org (Education Based)www.blogger.com All you need is an email address.

• Have a goal about what you want to achieve from it. How big? Security? Access? Purpose?

• Let the families know and get them on board.• Most importantly let the kids take ownership.• Don’t let it take too much time.

Some Exampleshttp://holycrossinquiry.21classes.com

http://www.marshall.school.nz/