Incorporating Blogs Into the Classroom

I believe that blogging in the classroom is a positive way for children to express themselves. Alot of children experience anxiety about public speaking,or speaking in front of other students. By using a blog, students can feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas because there is no physical audience in front of them.
Blogging is a fun way for students to enhance and improve their writing skills. Instead of sitting down and writing an essay on blank paper, students may enjoy using a blog because it, more than likely, comes naturally to them. Within the classroom, students can use blogs to communicate with other students around the world. A classroom unit might be designed to teach about other cultures. Blogging is an excellent way to post videos, journals, and experiences with students in another classroom that may even be halfway across the world.
Students could use a blog to setup a classroom newspaper. Students would update the specific blog every week to let others know what they have been doing in the classroom.
In other subjects areas, such as history, students may blog about what they have been learning, their thoughts, feelings and opinions.
By using a blog, a teacher can post any homework assignments that will be due for the following day, week, month or year. Students can view the assignments by clicking on the blog. A teacher might also create a blog for students and parents to view. The blog would be updated with upcoming classroom events and happenings.
The idea of blogs within the classroom is one that has become hotly debated. Blogs are often a great way to encourage children to write, because they are user friendly. In today's society, children have been born and raised into a sort of technological revolution. Many children know more about computers than parents, teachers and other adults. It is important to embrace the fact that students feel comfortable at a computer screen. By allowing children to feel confident in their computer abilities, they can also begin to feel comfortable in all other subject and content areas.
The downside to blogging in the classroom definitely includes the willingness of educators to incorporate them into the cirriculum. Many educators do not have the computer technology skills to feel confident in letting children use blogs. An educator may experience frustration, leading to a downturn of technology in their classroom. Another area that is widely discussed is internet saftey and privacy of students. When deciding to use blogs in the classroom setting, a teacher must be extremely careful not to disclose student identities. Students also need to be made aware of acceptable use of the internet, signing a policy that they will abide by its terms. Also, it would be most beneficial for a teacher to hold a meeting for all parents, in case any of them feel that their child may be unsafe. Any issues, comments or concerns can be discussed so that all parents can feel reassured that their child is safe, and enjoying learning!