Journal 4

“Moderating and Ethics for the Classroom Instructional Blog”
by Patricia Deubel, Ph.D.

Depending on the grade level and subject you are teaching, classroom blogs can be a great instructional tool. It introduces students to technology and classroom discussions. Instead of focusing on an open oral discussion in class, it drives students to think about their answers before having to write them in an area for all their peers to see. It would important over the course of the school year to actively engage the students to use the class blog. Without participation, the blog will just die in cyberspace. Another great way to use the blog, is for peer editing. This ensures all participation. For those in class who are shy and don’t like to participate, this is a great way for them to get their thoughts and opinions expressed. In our EDUC 422 course, we use the blog to answer questions and then post for our teacher’s review. A great example is this very journal.  I have enjoyed sharing my journal with my husband and he can see what I’m doing in this class when I’m gone each Tuesday and Thursday nights. Using a blog in my very own classroom could let parents be apart of our online community.


Questions:

Do you plan on using a blog in your classroom?

If I were to teach on a middle or high school level, then yes, it would be beneficial for all my students to use. Since blogging is popular among individuals outside the classroom too, educating my students on safety and monitoring their own online behavior is crucial. I plan on teaching elementary school, and this may be too young to have all students participate, but I could give the basic lessons. This way if they use blogs in their upcoming classes, or outside the school, they will be better prepared

How could you actively engage parents in a classroom blog?

One way would be to have them observe their child’s blog and sign off that they have seen it. This way if there are problems, their parents can see it first hand. On the opposite note, if their child is excelling, it’s a way to gain praise. Another way to get parents involved is to have a parent’s online blog. Parents can chat with each other about assignments, carpools or share great workshops, tutors, after school activities, etc. For parents who are scared of technology, I could hold a workshop at night to teach them and get them started. This could be a problem if there is a lack of computers in the students’ homes.