Monday, May 21, 2007

Examples of blogging as an instructional tool



Is blogging a useful instructional tool? Can blogging be used to enhance online courses? These are questions that we wish to address in this discussion.


Please share examples of how you might use blogging in your own educational setting.
One comment has already been posted in order to get the ideas flowing.


Enjoy the experience.

32 comments:

Alec Couros said...

I read through the description of your blog, and why you have put this together. In exploring best practice, be sure to acknowledge the connectedness to others that a blog allows ... by pointing to me, and others, through your sidebar, it was easy for me to connect to you, and share my insight. This is something that traditional types of unit planning, instruction, etc., did not allow easily.

Jeanette Wiens-Peckham said...

Alec said...
I read through the description of your blog, and why you have put this together. In exploring best practice, be sure to acknowledge the connectedness to others that a blog allows ... by pointing to me, and others, through your sidebar, it was easy for me to connect to you, and share my insight. This is something that traditional types of unit planning, instruction, etc., did not allow easily.

May 21, 2007 11:59 AM

Jeanette Wiens-Peckham said...

When I went to post my own comment, I ended up posting Alec's comments twice. Sorry.

Anyway, I would use blogs to have an online discussion in an English Language Arts B30 class on something like, "Did Hamlet love Ophelia. Give evidence to support your opinion."

Or...
As a new online instructor, I could connect with a blog for other online instructors. This would allow an opportunity for feedback, encouragement, ideas and troubleshooting.

Or...
The members of literature circles in my class can meet online. Each would have their own blog that includes links to each of their roles (discussion director, word wizard, travel tracer, summarizer, etc.) and also links to their classmates' blogs so they can comment on their posts.

Brain Based Blogging

Anonymous said...

For me, blogging is the best way for sharing learning for an online class. Discussion forums lack the personal space of a blog and CMS' tend to be too closed.

Sharing and connecting ideas and people is what blogs do best.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jeanette
This is my first time using a blog or reading one! I can see how this may be a valuable tool for accessibility and information sharing
Sheryl

Anonymous said...

Wow - I've had a lot of online firsts this semester. Earlier, I enjoyed my first time in a chat room; now, I get to participate in my first blog. I don't know what's next, but I sure hope my wife approves!

Anyway, I appreciated Jeanette's comments about the ways that she could use blogs in ELA classes. I can see great potential there for both f2f classes and online classes.

I do have a question - has anyone used a blog in a high school math class? Rather than a thread or an idea where a discussion can be built upon (Hamlet and Ophelia), it would be much more process oriented. I am not sure I can visualize how that would work.

Help?

Brent

P.S. I noticed that Sheryl's comment came up as anonymous - is that because she doesn't have a profile created through Google. Neither do I. Is that an issue with privacy of students?

Anonymous said...

Just a quick response to my earlier posting about being a neophyte to the world of blogging - it took me three tries to post my first message. I thought hitting PUBLISH would be enough. Didn't realize that I also had to type in the word verification (attempt #1) and that I had to choose an identity (attempt #2). I guess when I ended my previous comment with the word "HELP", I needed it more than I thought.

Jeanette Wiens-Peckham said...

Brent, thank you for sharing with us how you solved the publishing problems. That was useful to all of us.

I used to have a link to an amazing geometry class blog, but i have since lost it. The students wrote word problems for each other, drew graphs, charts and objects. It was great.

Here is a useful class blog:
Pre-Cal 30S

If you search around on it, you will find great ideas like this:
Probability

Here is a homeschooling math site:
Homeschoolmathblog

As for safety of students, if certain practices are followed, students can safely enjoy conversing with each other as well as worldwide students. They should never use their last names and can use pseudonmyms. The teacher should not give any indication of the location of the class and should not include pictures. When safety is kept in mind, blogging can be an effective teaching tool.

Shayne said...

I see possible uses in my senior physics classes for students to discuss problems and issues they are having with solving vector problems. I have tried this through discusssion boards but it is limited. I see the blog allows for the posting of diagrams, links, etc. that could be useful for students.

Anonymous said...

I have never used a blog before so this is a new experience. I have had to do some clicking to get to where I think I am suppose to be. If I get somewhat comfortable with this, it would be great to use it in an online class.

Bev Z.

Anonymous said...

I have used blogs before but just for personal professional development, not in a classroom setting for my students. I have been to a few of Alec's technology sessions at conferences and have visited his blog numerous times - that was my first experience with blogging.
A note of interest,a professor I know from the University of Regina (Cyril Kesten) has a blog and he removed his picture from his personal blog because people were using it to post comments about his appearance instead of using it for professional discussion.
I could see using this in my Information Processing 30 course and I am now motivated to starting that up in the fall! IP 30 is a split class with the 20 level and I could see this as being a great way for the 30 level students to intereact with myself and the rest of the class. As mentioned by a classmate, I too worry about privacy.

Rhonda Haus

Anonymous said...

The idea od wikis and blogs are quite new to me. Being a Grade 6 teacher, I guess I don't get out enough! There certain;y are some ideas that I may explore. One thought I had would be use start a blog on novels. Students could share books they have read and their "critique" of them. Seeing thier review and other reviews should make them interested in wanting to read other books reviewed.
This is new to me, so I'm thinking out loud. I will continue to investigate.

Anonymous said...

Guess I should identify myself! Anonymous doesn't take this class.

I take credit for the previous post.

Todd (the Grade 6 teacher!)

Anonymous said...

I feel blogging can be a wonderful instructional tool to expand online learning as well as learning in classrooms. The idea of connecting with experts, people from a far, and people with similar interests may be one of the most useful benefits to using blogs.

The grade one's and two's at my school are very active bloggers due to the commitment their teacher has made to incorporate technology into her classroom. They are making many exciting connections through their blog. Check it out if you wish at:

http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337


Steve M.

Anonymous said...

Steven, thanks for posting the above site! It will help me understand a little better about possible applications. As well, my wife teaches K/1 and this could be something to help her understand blogs better. I have 1 question. Does your teacher do the techo work for posting all the pictures and animations, or does she get support?

Thank you Group 4 for opening this window for me. Having an opportunity to see how blogs can really work, gives me new ways to enhance my classroom.

Todd

Anonymous said...

I think blogging is a very useful instructional tool and many of you have given great uses in both regular classroom and in online classes. (I can't help you out much with the math Brent...maybe journaling or group problem solving). I have used blogs in an online class and with my students. Unlike Dean, I don't find them much different than a discussion forum in an online class and it can be a bit overwhelming when you have too many venues for discussion. I think they serve the same means as discussion forums (and without the same security) I did find blogging to be very useful with my Grade 6 students, they were motivated and had great conversation. I think it enhances traditional education.
Dara

Anonymous said...

I can see some potential in using a blog for a math class. You could start out by asking a question that has a number of different ways at arriving at an answer and then ask the students to post how they solved the problem. That way students could not only confirm their solution but could also attain knew knowledge or new strategies to solve other problems.

Walter

Anonymous said...

Todd,

In response to your question, this teacher does post all of her own photos, etc. and manages her site. She doesn't consider herself a techy by any stretch and freely admits to not knowing how to hook up a VCR! She has access to tech support when needed, but it has become very infrequent. She has found a number of sites very user friendly - such as flikr for uploading photos and her latest "yak pak".

Steve M.

Jeanette Wiens-Peckham said...

Hi Todd,
Ann Davis is the online literature circles guru. Here is a site linked to her awesome examples:

EduBlog Projects

Anonymous said...

I'm sure my daughter would think this is great, as she can teach her mother things, after thinking for years that her mother knew everything! I've tried posting a comment before, but it obviously didn't work, so I am trying again. They used to call me stubborn, but I prefer to think of it as persistent!

Anonymous said...

Well here I in a blog.

I would try using a blog in an on-line class in Law 30 that is delivered at a distance. Might be interesting to read debate postings, and discussions of controversial topics in various areas of law.

Also, it's evident that blogs have multiple authors and could be a useful tool for students working in a class or on a team working on a project.

Grace

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, great posts and great idea for this module!
I've only ever used blogs as a means to journal or communicate with large groups over even larger distances -example: summer 2006 South America trip blog.
The ideas and suggestions of ways other educators are using blogs with students are fantastic. I will definitely expand my use of blogs in the future. Thank you.

Sarah Adair
PS I'll be waiting to see if any of the other groups have incorporated "Facebook" into any of the modules for our class (ha ha)

Anonymous said...

Blogs can be a useful educational tool if implemented effectively. Blogs can be extremely motivating for students to use. A classroom blog can be a forum where students can communicate with others, journal about how they feel, share their beliefs, interact with their peers, or gain the attention of the outside world to share their views or opinions on a current topic. Students may be more willingly to share their thoughts and ideas if they had an alias and kept it private so others could not identify who wrote postings. They would be more willingly to ask questions or post comments that were seen as “uncool”, etc. without the repercussions – teasing, namecalling, etc. that could follow in a F2F environment. Students should also be taught the necessary rules and guidelines when blogging ie. copyright issues, acceptable use, etc.
Blogs can be a useful tool when content is being delivered. Particularly when embellishments, likes pictures, graphs, diagrams, audio, etc. can be provided within the blogs. It could promote a better understanding of the content for students. They can also go back and review the content and comments if and when necessary. Many students who do not regularly contribute to classroom discussions or seem to lack intrinsic motivation are sometimes more willing to participate in classroom blogs. Many students who do not enjoy communicating and writing with pen and paper sometimes are really excited to use technology instead. It somehow creates a spark and an interest for students. Probably because what they are posting has meaning and relevance to their lives in some way. Blogs promote connections and students can make connections with classmates, their peers, etc.
Blogs are quite accessible and easy to maintain. Many sites offer free blog spaces so there is no cost to the school/school division. Editing and ensuring the blog is up to date and current is fairly easy. It does not take a technology wizard to implement and use a blog on a daily basis. The teacher can communicate and interact with individual students and give them feedback. Students can also access blogs at home if they have a computer. So they do not have to be in the classroom to make their contributions to the blog. It is a great communication tool and parents can see what their child is “blogging” about and give feedback. So I do feel that blogs can be very useful when used effectively and implemented appropriately.

Anonymous said...

Here is a useful list of blogging resources:

www.edublogs.org

www.blogger.com
http://escrapbooking.com/blogging/educators.htm

http://escrapbooking.com/blogging/class.htm

http://www.ebn.weblogger.com/

http://itc.blogs.com/thewriteweblog/

http://itc.blogs.com/wrinkles

http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337

http://www.leadertalk.org/

http://ideasandthoughts.org/page/3/
http://www2.gsu.edu/~coeapd/
http://www.webquest.org/questgarden/lessons/34308-060831081120/t-process.htm

Steve said...

What an excellent way to build community! Congrats to group 4 for introducing and incorporating this blog into their module, I have really enjoyed seeing the process unfold. Thanks also to those people who contributed resources and experiences, you have informed my practice! Cheers for that.

Anonymous said...

Papa John here.

I have NEVER seen or participated in a blog...I'm such a wuss.Its very intriging to see it and read comments but is it that much different from chat sessions, discussion pages or plain old e-mail?

Once again I feel like the preverbial gangly kid at the high school dance looking over at the ladies on the other side of the gym...scared yet interested..who's going to make that first move?????

In any case, I will have to explore this medium a bit more, if not through this class then on my own or with my gr 7's...man will they howl when I suggest we try this!

Jeanette Wiens-Peckham said...

Shawna...excellent, excellent comments! You nicely summarized the usefulness of blogs.

John, the biggest difference between blogs and other forms of online communication: anyone can join them and not just the class (such as our very first entry), and people can subscribe to them. That means that if I subscribe to this blog at a place like Bloglines, I can see everytime a new post has been added. This is useful for classroom blogs. Every student can have their own blog, and instead of looking at each site, I go to my Bloglines site and it records each new entry on every students' site. As well, I can type one entry there, and all my students will be notified to look at my site as well. It is an easy way to keep track of what everyone did on a daily basis in an activity such as literature circles.

Jeanette

Linda said...

Hi
I am new to the world of blogging and have enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I think from the perspective of teaching it would be a great tool for any age. I enjoyed looking at the link provided for the grade one's and two's. Couldn't it also be useful for keeping parents updated in what is happening with students in the higher grades? It might give the family something to talk about over supper or at least know what homework they have.
It was said that the advantage of a blogg is that anyone can make a comment. If we are using it for educational purposes who is moderating it to ensure someone doesn't make unwelcomed comments.
I'm confused...Alec said ..." by pointing to me, and others, through your sidebar, it was easy for me to connect to you, and share my insight" Can someone explain what this means?
I can see how a blogg could be used in an online class and I am assuming that bloggs are assessible even after the class ends. That might increase the sense of community because after the other online class I was in ended we had no central spot to keep in touch, but we can do it through email and the phone.
Well, I'm total overwhelmed with all these new ways to communicate. It's a lot to keep up with.

Jeanette Wiens-Peckham said...

Dunkley,
Alec is the Alec of "Couros Blog" the second Educational Blog Site listed in the side bar. He has on his site a "who links to me". He can check out on a regular basis new people who have linked their blog to his blog. Minutes after his blog address was placed in this blog's sidebar, he was given that information and so he checked out our blog site...and commented. Bloggers LOVE when people read their site, and if they link to it, that means they will read the site often...and point other people in their direction to read their site. Serious bloggers keep track of the numbers of people who visit their site and link to them. They increase these numbers by commenting on other people's blogs. By linking on the blue name at the beginning of each comment, you can check out information about other commenters. In my first comment, I added a link to my own blog site. This increases traffic.
Jeanette

Linda said...

Thanks Jeanette.
Now I have another question. Are there rules to blogging? I realise that there are the obvious ones about treating people with respect. But last class I learned that reading and not participating in the discussion postings is called lurking and frowned upon. Are there any expectations on the reader for blogging?

Anonymous said...

As with many of the other posts, this is the first time that I have actually commented in a blog. I guess it is not that hard. I didn't set up a profile yet, because I don't know if I will use this medium much.

I am a little concerned using with students because of the privacy, but it seems to be popular.

During the discussion board this week, many people say how they enjoy the chats and the discussion and that it takes away some of the insecurities. I guess it does, but the reason that I have never blogged before is because I never felt confident enought to make comments so there are insecurities online as well.

Thanks,
Sherri

Alec Couros said...

@dunkley:

I guess lurking is frowned upon by some, and for others, it's not as big of a deal. It really depends.

For me, I like to know that there are people out there reading me. When comments come in that show me that what I wrote made someone in the blogosphere react, it makes me feel good as a writer. However, as a blog reader, I know that I read a lot of things that are very interesting, but I simply don't have the time to comment on every thing I read. So, I guess I understand lurking, as a lurker myself.

Of course, it would be nice to know your readership. One blogger even declared "International De-lurking Week". Of for that, it was interesting to see those out there that were reading all along.
http://dmorgen.blogspot.com/2006/01/international-de-lurking-week.html

For some bloggers I know, there is really no need for them to have an audience. It really depends on why you blog and who you blog for (if anyone but yourself). I think there are all types of bloggers, so saying that lurking is frowned upon may be correct in some cases, and not in others.

Also, to clarify about how I found this page, basically, since my blog was linked to the sidebar, it showed up in a site called Technorati. When I checked Technorati, it told me that someone had linked to me, so I followed the link, and found this blog. It seems a bit narcissistic, however, it keeps blogging social. The sociality of blogging, to me, is what keeps it interesting. Otherwise, why not just produce word documents, or write in a paper diary.

These are great discussions here in the comments. Thanks for letting me be a part.