There are a couple of ideas that came to my mind how I would / could use a blog in my classroom. I teach the 6th grade which covers all areas. Writing is one thing that my students struggle with, so I thought of some ideas that I could use blogs for. I feel that blogging could help the students become more focused and care more about their work. It also might be a good way to motivate and develop interest in a subject that might not be their favorite.
The first idea was for them to search through blogs online to help them try and determine the difference between fact and opinion. They would have to figure out how to come up with supporting evidence of their choice.
The students could also find a website that they could use to help them prepare a persuasive essay. It would give them background knowledge to use in their preparation.
Once the students have concluded each of their responses to either one of the activities they will be able to post their responses online for the rest of the class / myself to see. This will enable conversations between the students outside of school. Not only will I / the rest of the class be able to see their responses, the rest of the world would / could be able to respond to their answers. This might empower the students to take more time and pride in their answers knowing that any online web user will be able to see what they are writing.
Once all of their work is done, it could possibly make them happy to publish their work online for all to see. Pride and respect may be gained upon posting.
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Very nice BLOG Mike.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteBlogs seem like a powerful tool for writing. Your idea will prompt students to take ownership in their work. I really like the idea that you are going to have students determine whether blogs are fact or opinion. Students need to be made aware that not everything they read on the Internet is the truth. When your students write persuasive essays, they can ask others' opinions on a blog. It would be great for them to get feedback on their writing topic. Great ideas!
I think that it would / will work great. I am about to try the whole persuasive essay idea with my 6th graders within the next two weeks. I will be sure to let you know how it went and any problems that I had with using blogs as my main center point of my lessson.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that by having the students take ownership of their work might make them try harder and work up to their potential!
I think that you have some very good ideas. When I was looking for some different blogs for assessment 1 I found it very difficult to find anything that was worthwhile and meaningful to me. I think that the assignment is going to be very difficult for sixth graders especially if you don't assign certain web sites with blogs for them to browse.
ReplyDeleteI think the second assignment is more realistic and would be easier for the students to understand, but how are the students going to know if the web site is creditable or not?
Writing is always a critical area in my school. Most students in my school don't like to write. Most of the students just want to search the internet and copy and paste whatever they find. I believe by using your assignment, it may empower them to want to learn more about what is fact and fiction in what they read. It will also force them to take ownership for their work because not only will the teacher be reviewing but also their peers.
ReplyDeleteThe only real problem I would forsee, is how would the students actually determine what is real and what is not. Will there be some type of guide that points them into the right direction?