Blogs K. Beck January 2011

Short for web log. A collaborative Web publishing tool. Can be set up using links, images and other web site features. Can be set up like a diary or journal and allow comments made by others. Allows comments to be made virtually any time. Creates a classroom without walls. What is a blog?

Blog Benefits User-friendly technology. Motivating to students, especially for those who may not participate in class. An excellent opportunity to promote literacy. Provide effective forums for collaboration and discussion. Motivate students to produce better writing. Provide the opportunity for students to reflect on their work.

Students can practice and benefit from peer review. Everyone has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Everyone has time to react to ideas and reflect on learning. Provides the opportunity for students to communicate locally and globally. Using Blogs in the Classroom

Analysis: That is, if two ideas are presented together in support of one concept, self-reflective students must learn to a) distinguish the ideas, b) understand the differences between and similarities between, c) understand where the connection points are if any, d) decide, based on analysis, which one (if any) they will include and build upon in their own learning process. This is a highly constructive process and the skills needed must be intentionally encouraged and can be visibly recorded in a blog. Using Blogs to develop higher level thinking skills

Analysis: A blog can help students process their thoughts and ideas for analysis. There is no better way to begin to see the importance of analysis as when there is a goal of articulating your thoughts for explanation to others. Using Blogs to develop higher level thinking skills

Synthesis : As part of the analysis, it is important that students can synthesis the original ideas and the new ideas they will articulate. The synthesis of ideas is crucial to the process of working ideas and incorporating new ideas into their own thinking. Using Blogs to develop higher level thinking skills

New Ideas: Grasping new ideas through analysis and synthesis means that students can move ahead with their thinking and move closer towards transformation in learning and application. Information is not what makes a new idea. Information must be processed and applied before new ideas will emerge for students. Too many instructors remain at the information-exchange stage with students and do not move them towards new ideas. A blog can help develop these thinking skills as well as capture the new ideas well for others to view and absorb. Using Blogs to develop higher level thinking skills

Application: Without application, new ideas are not "owned" by students in their learning. That is, new ideas can only become meaningful and relevant for students when then are directly applied in real life contexts of practice and use. This stage can also be well captured in a blog and, in fact, the entire thinking process of each student can be captured and made accessible for instructors and other students to explore. Using Blogs to develop higher level thinking skills

Blooms Revised

Use as an issue bin Have students reflect on assignment/activity (plus/delta) Provide a math problem, writing prompt, or question of the day to elicit responses Create a blog for different reading groups Use as question/answer board or “Ask an Expert” forum Examples

More Examples Have students respond to a blog taking on the persona of a historical person Use to discuss current events Students/teacher can evaluate a website or post favorite sites Use with Battle of the Books club or have a general Book Blog

One Example good for reading and movies Summarizing Teacher asks the students to summarize the information Questioning Asks questions Clarifying Ask the students to clarify Predicting Ask for predictions as to what will follow that reading or segment

Things to consider Grading Rubrics for posts Editing comments Time commitment (keeping posts updated; approving comments)

Preparing Students to Blog Student AUPs Guidelines and Purpose Safe, acceptable, and sensible behavior No complete names, accounts, or references to reveal location Clear Expectations Rubric

Mistakes you don’t want to make… 1.No clear context for use – If the most effective uses are self reflection and thought processes - - – There must be concepts for students to think through, various resources and content segments to process, or ideas to construct.

Mistakes you don’t want to make… 2. Unclear learning outcomes – Learning outcomes begin with course objectives; however, include student learning needs and objectives, and future application of the learning.

Mistakes you don’t want to make… 3. Misuse of the environment – Don’t confuse a blog with a wiki – When using blogs to encourage students to articulate their thoughts students can become empowered and feel that they are developing their own voice in the learning process. Instructors can also "glimpse" students' thought processes and become much more aware of their learning journey. – Realize it is not a wiki where all can edit all the content. In a blog the initial post always stands unaltered and is simply responded to.

Mistakes you don’t want to make… 4. Illusive Grading Practices – Have a clear rubric. Include: Reflective statements Commentary statements New idea statements Application statements

Mistakes you don’t want to make… 5. Inadequate time allocation – Keep blog open – Allow for learning – Plan ahead for increased planning and attention to posts

Blog Resources for Educators Blog Ideas for the Classroom Why Blog – VideoVideo Blogs in Plain English Key Concepts for Blogging with Students Key Concepts for Blogging with Students

Some Blog Examples m/ m/

Some Blog Examples Wild About Math Road Sign Math Book Battle Blog New Hope Elementary Book Blog NASA Anderson Cooper’s CNN Blog Science Friday

Log in to Schoolwires Click New Page (or click the Classroom Blog page already in existence) Select Blog Give your blog page a title Click Save Click the blog title from the list of pages Click New Posting Follow the wizard to enter the title, the actual posting, allow comments and author information. Check the active box and Save. Click on the comments tab and Check allow comments Click Save, Done (Make sure you have made the blog active) How to:

Once the Blog is Active Sign in and go to Site Manager Select the desired blog page Click the Moderate button next to the posting you wish to moderate Here you can Approve, Edit and Approve or Deny Comments Contact Kathy Beck for assistance

Resources The Journal Nov 2008: ding-the-5-most-common-mistakes-in-using- blogs-with-students.aspx ding-the-5-most-common-mistakes-in-using- blogs-with-students.aspx Inspiration 8.0 RubricRubric Rubric2 Rules Teacher RulesRubric2RulesTeacher Rules Rubrics4Teachers Rubrics and Rubric Makers Rubrics from Kathy Schrock

Resources Bachenheimer’s study: – 74% believed that blog posts helped them articulate their ideas better – 68% said blogs held them determine what to say – 60% said blogging helped them begin their papers – 55% of the Spanish students said blogging helped improve their writing skills – 89% thought blogging helped them improve their writing In elementary students: – % who liked writing went from 39% to 67% – Technology skills improved even though that was not the focus

Resources Bachenheimer’s study: The Journal Nov 2008 and Compiled by Kathy Beck, Instructional Technology Coordinator