True, blogging has already been labelled taboo. So has facebook, twitter, Steve Jobs, and Mac and Cheese, but those things all still have a relevant place in society. Though the Urban Dictionary’s definition of blogging may imply rubbish, I believe that the power of the individual to perpetuate opinions freely is an increasingly relevant aspect of a global society, and our students should be exposed to this process and practice these skills.
The essence of this opinion clings to the reality that blogging can verse individuals in a myriad of mediums and genres for communicating information, providing one location for practicing many things. Need an example? See below.
TEXT
This is fairly obvious. Write. That can be a blog post. Someone once told me that writing was a fairly important skill to practice with my students… somewhere next to reading. Let’s consider the possibilities:
- Responding to prompts/discussion questions/etc.
- Sharing about life outside of the classroom, interests, etc. (get-to-know you stuff)
- Answering AND asking questions (after all, there is a commenting feature in pretty much every blog!)
- Sharing what you are learning
- Posting and describing/explaining work (portfolio style)
- And more!
AUDIO
Universal Design for Learning? Check. Instead of typing the blog, have them audio record it! Beyond the obvsious differentiating that this enables, audio recording creates opportunities to practice a somewhat lacking skill in 21st-Century education: public speaking. Perhaps an internet blog is not the same as delivering a speech in class, but the elements are all there to hone the speaking skills: an audience to provide feedback, self-assessment opportunities, teacher evaluation and review, etc.
Here’s an example:
VIDEO
In the interest of taking things one step further, if a mere audio recording is not enough to practice some of the above mentioned skills, try a video. Video blogs are an increasingly common method of sharing experiences and knowledge.
Example:
Even so, if every time you begin a video blog you find yourself inclined to need to perfect your makeup, re-do your hair, or don something nicer to wear, this genre may not be the most efficient way for you to share. Students should also keep in mind that it is a lot easier to press “Backspace” than re-record a video 20 times (conservative estimate).
Beyond these basic concepts, so much can be accomplished through a well-structured blogging experience. I personally feel that the keys to success are (1) clear expectations and (2) simple organization (keeping track of links/blogs/etc.). With those things in mind, I encourage you to try blogging in your classroom!
Defending Learning 