10 more ways to use Blogs in Your Classroom

Classroom blogs can be a good resource and tool for the classroom. There are many ways blogs can be used. Kathleen Morris (2012, Jan.) posted several ideas along with a visual graphic organizer that show the benefits of using blogs in a classroom:

I teach younger students and think of the ways I can use blogging in my class. The following video was uploaded by Mark Marshall where several primary teachers and parents discuss the benefits and use of blogging in the classroom:

Some other ways that blogs can be used in the classroom are:

1. A way for all students to respond to a question without having to speak in front of the class. This is a way for those who do not feel comfortable speaking in front of others to still have their voice heard. Also, those who may not be engaged during the lesson are still responsible for participating.
2. Teachers can use blogs as portfolios for students (Glencoe/McGraw-Hill). Entries will be archived but all types of work can be displayed and viewed with scrolling through the blog.
3. Students can maintain their writing in the form of an online journal (Sweetland). Students can complete writings in class or at home. Students can create stories, post questions, or communicate with each other online.
4. It is a way for students to practice their computer and typing skills. Students new to the country or younger students can practice using a mouse, navigating a page, and typing a response. With the turn to online standardized assessments these skills will be beneficial for them in older grades.
5. As a classroom website. That way information can be posted and parents/students can respond right in the comments instead of opening a new window to e-mail the teacher.
6. Committees can post agenda items, poll questions, minutes, and other information for members and interested parties to access. That way a website does not need to be created and people can contribute information.
7. Principals can communicate information with staff members or parents. The blogroll can make it easier for people to organize information into categories of their interest. New information will be displayed at the top of the page for people to easily access.
8. Administration/schools can use blogs as a question/answer forum for either staff members, parents, or community members. All are allowed to leave comments (within reason) and a person or several can be assigned to respond.
9. Teachers can use blogs to communicate ideas they use in the classroom or as a support system. Many teachers have great ideas that you may not have thought of and using a blog will allow teachers to explain their idea, post links, pictures, and videos. Others can respond or ask questions.
10. Students can post pictures of their work and have classmates respond with their thoughts. Digital citizenship would need to be covered and the blog would need to be moderated for the comments section.

Resources:

Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. (2006, Oct.). Using Blogs to Integrate Technology into the Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47

Marshall, M. (2010, Jul). Blogging in the Elementary Classroom. [video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySpKh5GJ3nY

Morris, K. (2012, Jan.). Five Steps to Starting a Class Blog in 2012. Retrieved from http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/2012/01/29/five-steps-to-star...

Sweetland, G.M. (n.d.). Using Blogs in the Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/sweetland/Home/Instructors/Teaching%...