What is a blog for?

There is a lot of information on the web about student blogging.

Some of the uses that are touted for blogs include creating digital portfolios, reflective journals, and collaborating with classmates.

What else is a blog for?

Let's share our in and out of the box uses for student blogs here.

Right now, I'm having students create an academic vocabulary glossary. For each term (e.g. metaphor, theme, etc.) they have to have a definition, an image, and an example.

What are students doing with blogs in your classroom?

Tags: blogging, blogs, digital, portfolio, students

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by C Hutcheson on January 27, 2011 at 12:07pm

My class is trying out a blog for the first time and it is mostly the students excitedly "chatting". I've posted two questions and have hit and miss responses...
Not what I was looking for!

Permalink Reply by David Wu on January 30, 2011 at 5:38pm

Hi Mr. B,

I know of a teacher who uses a microblog for his students to post questions they have while working on homework assignments. Before using a microblog he had to answer questions by email. By using a microblog it made it easier for students to ask questions and also created new learning opportunities. Before, the questions would be locked away in the email inbox where only one student can see the teacher's response, but now with the transparency of an open microblog every students can learn when the teacher responds to one student's question. It also reduced the need for the teacher to answer the same question emailed by multiple students.

The microblog really helped the students connect with the teacher, and it's usually before exams when question/communication traffic is the highest. The only complaint was that the convenience of the microblog in connecting with the teacher could sometimes cut into the teacher's own personal time...

Permalink Reply by Karen Hornberger on February 1, 2011 at 5:55am

We have had students debate over literary themes (who is the loneliest character in Of Mice and Men) using it as a forum for discussion where they learn how to use cyber ethics to respond to a statement on a blog that they either agree or disagree with and we have also had them make a statement and support it with cited research.

At the end of February, I am going to hold a webinar on blogging with examples.

Permalink Reply by David Wu on February 1, 2011 at 11:16am

Hi Karen,

I would like to participate in your webinar. Can you please keep me updated?

Thanks,

David

Permalink Reply by Karen Hornberger on February 1, 2011 at 11:25am

Definitely. It will be on 2/24 at 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. I will try to post the link when I get it. It will be my first webinar, I have all of the content planned but am hoping that the tech aspect is seamless!

Permalink Reply by David Wu on February 1, 2011 at 9:43pm

What time zone would that be in?

Permalink Reply by Mr. B on February 3, 2011 at 8:55pm

I would like a reminder for this webinar as well. Thanks!

Permalink Reply by gabriela on February 2, 2011 at 11:03am

I am using blogging for reflective learning.

A personal space to reflect weekly on that week's topic (or previous topics if wanted) in a personal context, searching to relate it to concrete things: what does it says to my life? to my profesional development? (I am at univerity level) how is it related to something I experienced this week (read, watch or whatever).

Permalink Reply by Carol Olson on March 10, 2011 at 6:55pm

A perfect way to use a blog is the following

I have a 5th grade language arts teacher who is looking students and teaches to respond to their reading blogs. If this is something that you might be interested in having your students do, please visit