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There seems to be a fine line between what is great teaching and what is great technology. I can see the benefit of blogging for older students and adults, but at this point, I don't see how I could effectively use it to improve or promote student learning for third graders. I've looked at several third grade blogs (example 1 and example 2) and so far they look like on-the-fly comments about a variety of student-generated ideas. I realize the web allows students to write for an immediate audience- an authentic audience, but for what purpose? In writing, we stress a few key ideas: "What's the point? Why are you writing this? Who is your audience? What is your message?" With the blog entries I've read, there doesn't seem to be a point, a message, or an intended audience.
Also, if I had a great idea, when would they blog? Is it done from home, where not all of my kids may have access to computers? If it's done from school, I have 28 kids and 2 computers. Say, for example, I'd like kids to comment on a particular math problem from their homework page. If they are asked to work from home, how can I require it if they can't all complete the task? If I only ask a few to blog from home, what's the point? If I do it in school, how do I fit in the time? Questions, Questions, Questions. That's all I have at this point are questions.
Ideas? Thoughts? I'd love to hear how blogging might enhance my third grade curriculum, but so far, I haven't been able to think of anything creative.
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I understand your dilemma. I have a 3rd grade daughter and she is just starting to learn how to type on a keyboard, but it is not being formally taught to her (I don't think). I don't think that age-group could or should be writing much at a time. They could do very short reactions to pointed questions, but you'd probably get a lot of the same general reactions. Probably not what you want. Most kids in our districts do have internet access, so I just assign it and see if anyone has a problem. I've always been able to work it out. Sorry, I don't have any good solutions. Sometimes opportunities just present themselves if you are always thinking about how to use tech.
ReplyDeleteI always thought about a blog in an elementary school classroom being more for parents. I would definitely subscribe to my kids' teacher's blog. It would act as my newsletter, almost. Kind of like Scot does for the Saline Area Schools.
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