Dear Reader,
Before one can start an educational blog, there are some guidelines and expectations to be followed. Microsoft put out a statement about safe blogging. http://www.microsoft.com/security/family-safety/blogging.aspx
Here are three of the guidelines I found most important.
1. Parents need to sit down and have a talk with their kids about internet safety. They should also screen their kids' posts before allowing them to be published.
2. Set privacy settings on your blog. Especially for children and teenagers.
3. Ask yourself -would you feel comfortable showing all of this to a stranger? Because potentially, that's who will be viewing your blog.
This website http://edublogs.org/curriculum-corner-using-a-blog-with-students/ also explains some safety and privacy guidelines for classroom blogs. It also suggests that as a class, you develop a set of rules for your blog (no bullying, kind comments, sharing personal information, etc.). I think that is vital before beginning a class blog. Especially with younger students who may have not had a lot of experience with social media and the internet in general.
As someone who has had a blog for a few years, I understand the importance of internet safety and privacy. It is a required aspect if a classroom blog is going to be developed.
-Sam's an Aggie
Monday, January 14, 2013
Blogging while Teaching
Dear Reader,
Using blogs to further learning and experience outside of the classroom is a growing trend. A trend that I find very useful. After looking at several classroom blogs, I have found three that I absolutely adore. The first is a class of 11 and 12 year olds that live in New Zealand. The blog is titled The Almighty Bloggers. http://www.classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=71175 . It is full of both teacher and student writing entries, as well as class pictures and updates. I think this is a great example of the success that a class blog can have for younger students.
The second blog I found is titled Ms. Cassidy's classroom blog. http://mscassidysclass.edublogs.org/ . This teacher did something unique and gave each child their own personal blog linked to the class blog. I think this is great to keep the blog more organized and let the students have the chance to express themselves in a lower pressure environment.
The third blog I found was by far my favorite. Titled Mr. C's Class Blog, http://mrcsclassblog.blogspot.com/p/about-mr-c.html , this is a brilliant demonstration of educational blogs at their best. Mr. Chamberlain, the teacher, writes detailed posts about what the class is currently doing. This informs parents as well as reminds students of what is going on in the class. He also posts humorous short posts, videos, etc. This allows the class to better get to know him.
I think using blogs in education, particularly classroom blogs, is a great addition to classroom learning.
-Sam's an Aggie
Using blogs to further learning and experience outside of the classroom is a growing trend. A trend that I find very useful. After looking at several classroom blogs, I have found three that I absolutely adore. The first is a class of 11 and 12 year olds that live in New Zealand. The blog is titled The Almighty Bloggers. http://www.classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=71175 . It is full of both teacher and student writing entries, as well as class pictures and updates. I think this is a great example of the success that a class blog can have for younger students.
The second blog I found is titled Ms. Cassidy's classroom blog. http://mscassidysclass.edublogs.org/ . This teacher did something unique and gave each child their own personal blog linked to the class blog. I think this is great to keep the blog more organized and let the students have the chance to express themselves in a lower pressure environment.
The third blog I found was by far my favorite. Titled Mr. C's Class Blog, http://mrcsclassblog.blogspot.com/p/about-mr-c.html , this is a brilliant demonstration of educational blogs at their best. Mr. Chamberlain, the teacher, writes detailed posts about what the class is currently doing. This informs parents as well as reminds students of what is going on in the class. He also posts humorous short posts, videos, etc. This allows the class to better get to know him.
I think using blogs in education, particularly classroom blogs, is a great addition to classroom learning.
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