Blogs: An Authentic Literacy Activity Aimee Rogers

Presentation 12 th Annual Conference on Literature and Literacy for Children and Adolescents March 6, 2004 Dr. Betts and Myself LRC 551: Reading, Writing and Texts: A Psycho-Socioligustic Perspective

What are Blogs? Web logs Web pages Online Journals Personal Diaries Resource Networks Journalism “A weblog is a coffehouse conversation in text, with references as required.” Rebecca Blood

Theory Constructing knowledge Learning environment in which the learner constructs his/her own knowledge, organizes it, and re-presents it. Authentic voices from the classroom Community of learners

Blogging and Author Studies BlogHeads Will Richardson Secret Life of Bees

Classroom Uses Online discussions Posting of assignments by teachers Publishing by students Community/Parent participation Announcements Portfolios

Examples Teacher Centered Mathmagenic A Teacher’s Personal Blog Liblog Brooklyn International High School Mrs. Contner

Classroom Examples Posting Assignments Rice University Discussion Students Across Borders Publishing Richard Stockton College Resource Organization Olentangy Local Schools

Benefits ( Ferdig, 2004) 1.The use of blogs helps students become subject- matter experts 2. The use of blogs increases student interest and ownership in learning. 3. The use of blogs gives students legitimate chances to participate. 4.The use of blogs provides opportunities for diverse perspectives, both within and outside of the classroom.

Benefits Easily Accessible Easily Updated Authentic Audience  Peers  Parents Versatile Archived

How To: Nice Net School Blogs Blogger Pitas Movable Type Type Pad

Further Resources Amphi School District Writing with Web Logs Weblogs for Use with ESL Classes Stuart Glogoff Blogging Techtorial Blogging Across the Curriculum Educational Bloggers Network Ways to Use Blogs in the Classroom Blogging Scavenger Hunt

Works Cited Ferdig, R.E., & Kaye, D.T. (2004). Content diversity in the ‘Blogsphere.’ T.H.E. Journal. February 2004.