Louisiana educator Nancy McKean over at Random Thoughts asks the question: Why does your class blog? Her question generated consistant responses from a surprising number of teachers. Why does my class have a weblog? Here is how I answered Nancy’s question.
My 6th graders’ education-oriented class blog, Room 613 Student Blogs, has been up in its current "student centered" form for about two months now. With over 250 student posts and 750 student comments, it has taken on a life of it’s own. As I see it, here are some of the benefits of student blogs (in no particular order of importance): 1. Creates a learning community feel in a place away from the traditional classroom. This learning community is open 24/7 2. Provides an authentic audience for student writing, an audience of peers, parents, and a potential worldwide audience. The embedded hit map on our site allows the students to determine the location of their readership. This also is a nice connection with geography. 3. Allows for multiple feedback loops among the networked students, teachers and other interested parties. Learning in a class blog setting is now a social activity. 4. Allows a wonderful outlet for creativity. 5. Supports differentiation. The blog gives some of our more verbally reserved students a forum for their thoughts. 6. Encourages reading. To make a meaningful comment, or to choose their favorite post, the students first need to read what’s out there. 7. Encourages and teaches research skills. Encourages students to extend their research beyond the assigned work. 8. Builds technology skills. This past week I presented our Room 613 Student Blogs site to our district Board of Education. Based on their responses during the presentation and in comments afterward, they were very excited about the prospects of student blogging. Support for the medium beginning to grow!
