Blogging?It's Elementary, My Dear Watson!
Article by Lorrie Jackson
Education World®
Link:
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech217.shtml
Blogging is becoming more and more popular in the educational system. Blogging or web logging is kind of like an online diary or journal. Although this form of communication is typically used for middle and high school grade levels, more and more elementary school teachers are introducing it to students as young as kindergarten. The article I chose focuses on how blogging at such a young age is possible.
Blogging is actually a very good way for students to express themselves. It allows anyone to publish their thoughts, ideas, and opinions on the internet. It can make anyone into a columnist. Younger children especially feel important knowing that what they write is on the internet for everyone to read. Knowing that their entries are out there for the world to see actually helps them become better writers. They write more, in greater detail, and with greater care knowing they have such a large audience instead of one teacher.
For a teacher blogging is fairly easy to set up. Although web-based programs such as Blogger or Livejounal work very well, they might not have all the supervisory features an elementary teacher is looking for. For younger students, teachers might try downloading programs such as Blogmeister or KidzBlog because they will have more control as well as safety.
I think blogging is a great way for students to express themselves. Journaling is so therapeutic for the mind and it helps with writing skills. Most students this day in age are already used to this form of journaling because of such web-based programs as myspace and facebook, where they are free to create blogs and post pictures, ultimately putting themselves out there for everyone to see. So if kids are already blogging on sites like these, it just makes sense to introduce it into the world of education.
5 comments:
Hi! I totally agree with you when you say that it makes sense for students to embrace blogging when it pertains to teaching. So many students have myspace, facebook, and blogs, so if they have a chance to incorporate blogging into their school work it will surely improve their writing and they'll probably enjoy doing it too. If students enjoy what theyre doing then it reflects on their work and improves their grades.
I feel the same way about writing/journaling being theraputic for the mind. These kids are already blogging, and it's a great way for parents to keep informed. Also a great way to enhance writing and computer savvy skills.
Hey! I think that having the children starting to write and express their feelings is great thing to do. Most younger children dont know how to express their feelings in writing and this is a gret tool to help with that. I also feel that we should take advantage of blogging because its a good tool to use as teachers.
I agree with you also on how students should adapt to the blogging world as young as elementary age. As you stated it is a great way for them to express themselves and it allows them to think creatively and become better writers. Another idea I thought of while reading your posts is since they are learning how to blog at such a young age it will hopefully allow them to learn the safety’s of using social networking sites and how to tell too much personal information about themselves.
I also agree that blogging is an excellent way to help students become better writers and help them express their feelings.
Post a Comment