Mrs. Justine Kingi

Will our Class Blog lift curriculum

interest?http://manaiaviewschoolroom4.blogspot.com/

Introduction...

The students I had in mind when I began my inquiry where students who were below their chronological age or level.

I wanted to motivate students especially those who might not be willing participants in our classroom.

What resources can I use?

People resources

Other blogs sites

Beth

How will blogging motivate students...

Room 4 students love ICT so ICT should be used to motive students.

Seeing their work on the web encourages work completion.

Blogs provide a space where teachers and students can work to further develop writing or other skills with the advantage of an instant audience.

What are the benefits of blogging?

* Kids love blogging.

* Students who lack the reading and writing skills they need to succeed also may lack the motivation to practice those skills. Many are motivated, however, to chat virtually with their friends.

Blogging Benefits continued...

* Seeing their words published on the Web is a great student motivator. * Blogs offer an innovative way for students to engage in reflective writing on classroom topics in a familiar medium.

* Blogs represent a democratization of information dissemination, providing each individual with the opportunity to publicly present his or her thoughts and opinions.

Blogging Benefits continued...

* Students who know they have an audience other than their teacher write more credibly, accurately, and carefully.

* Blogs allow others to respond, providing feedback to the authors.

Blogs: the sticking factor

A paper written that focuses on finding out how weblogs “stickiness factor” (likelihood of adoption) can be improved.

To build motivation among my students using ICT/Blogging is the easy part - continuing the enthusiasm is another part...................Blogging has to be a regular part of our classroom activity.................... Blogging has to become a part of classroom to home.

Regular part of our classroom

Blog page always on the computers.

Every student knows how to maneuver within the Room 4 blog page.

Every student know how to paste new pieces of work on the blog page.

Other Classroom blogs are visited and commented on regularly.

Classroom - Home connection

Make the connection form classroom to home interaction e.g. student profiles, homework, assignments, parent-teacher notes, quick quizzes, surveys.......

Send home fridge magnets with address.

A class blog opens the opportunity for students to discuss topics outside of the classroom. With a blog, every person has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Students have time to react to ideas and reflect on learning. Teachers can also bring together a group of knowledgeable individuals for a given unit of study for students to network and conference with on a blog.

Seeing their words published on the Web is a great

student motivator.

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Rich Conversation Starters...

Using the Blog in the Classroom

Classroom Management

Class blogs can serve as a portal to foster a community of learners. As they are easy to create and update efficiently, they can be used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts, notices, and homework assignments, or act as a question and answer board.

Blogs provide a space where teachers and students can work to further develop writing or other skills with the advantage of an instant audience. Teachers can offer instructional tips, and students can practice and benefit from peer review. They also make online mentoring possible. For example, a class of older students can help a class of younger students develop more confidence in their writing skills. Students can also participate in cooperative learning activities that require them to relay research findings, ideas, or suggestions.

Collaboration

Discussions

A class blog opens the opportunity for students to discuss topics outside of the classroom. With a blog, every person has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Students have time to react to ideas and reflect on learning. Teachers can also bring together a group of knowledgeable individuals for a given unit of study for students to network and conference with on a blog.

Student Profiles

Blogs present, organize, and protect student work as digital portfolios. As older entries are archived, developing skills and progress may be analyzed more conveniently. Additionally, as students realize their efforts will be published, they are typically more motivated to produce better writing. Teachers and peers may conference with a student individually on a developing work, and expert or peer mentoring advice can be easily kept for future reference.

References

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/techtorial/techtorial037print.sht

http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/howtoarticles/blog-basics