Blogging

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joel Cheuoua on December 1, 2010 at 8:40pm

Hello Bernadette,
Why do you want them to blog? couldn't they comment on your blog instead?

Permalink Reply by Bernadette on December 1, 2010 at 9:09pm

Hi Joel
The tutor group is vertical (3-4 boys from each of Years 9-12) and we meet for 10 minutes every day. I thought the blog would be a good way for them to get to know each other and also to share coming events, birthdays etc with them

Permalink Reply by Joel Cheuoua on December 1, 2010 at 9:17pm

I think it's a great idea. I'd definitely recommend you create a blog yourself and animate it for them. If you see that they like it, then you can always offer to help them to create their own, but IMHO don't expect them to put a lot of energy into it in the beginning. With time, they'll master it and you'll be able to let them do it by themselves.

Permalink Reply by Jodi Judd on December 1, 2010 at 8:43pm

Hi Bernadette,
I am sorta new to the world of blogging, too. I started my class on it last year and it's been going well. I use a site called ClassPress.com, which costs about $25.00 per year. The thing I *really* like about it is that it's a safe place for my 4th graders to learn the rules of etiquette and safety in this new way of the world! I can't tell you how many times my students have publicly stated their addresses or other personal information to each other without thinking how that could be "dangerous" in the public arena. There's so much more I can share with you as to how I use it with an "educational" purpose, but we can communicate thru email so I don't inundate others by writing so much!
If you want to email me, my address is jodi.judd@coronado.k12.ca.us
Good luck with your blogging. I think you will like it!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Willems on December 1, 2010 at 10:17pm

Bernadette,
I have been looking into kidblog.org. It is a free service and provides a safe place for students to start blogging. You may want to check out this post by @byrnesa: http://byrnesa.wordpress.com/ for her summary of last nights #edchat discussion on blogging. There are some great resources and information that might be helpful to you.

Permalink Reply by Bernadette on December 2, 2010 at 4:04pm

Thanks Jennifer. Looks like a very useful site!
Bernadette

Permalink Reply by R.J. Rongcal on December 2, 2010 at 1:05am

Hi Bernadette -
I haven't had experience blogging with students, but I have my own blog and I've blogged as part of a class in my education program a few years back. If you want you kids to all create their own posts and original ideas, I don't think it would be far-fetched at all to ask them to all make their own blog. After that, (I know on blogger.com, at least) each member of your class can then "follow" each others' blogs to stay up to date on what each kid is posting.

If you just want to use the blog as more of a website for your kids to retrieve information, then one blog would be just fine. And they should still be able to respond to your posts even if they don't have an account with that specific website (I'm pretty sure). I recommend wordpress.com.

Hope that helps,
R.J.

Permalink Reply by R.J. Rongcal on December 2, 2010 at 1:15am

Oops! Just read your kids are younger than I thought...Your own blog is probably a better idea. :)

Permalink Reply by Bernadette on December 4, 2010 at 4:36am

Hi R.J
I have set up a blog with blogger.com ready for next year. Hopefully it will work Ok.
Bernadette

Permalink Reply by Sal P on December 2, 2010 at 9:29am

You can create a virtual Classroom and share blogs, a calendar, files etc at Enterthegroup.com. I can show you how if you're interested.
Sal

Permalink Reply by Bernadette on December 2, 2010 at 3:02pm

Hi Sal
I would be interested. How does it work?
Bernadette

Permalink Reply by Mary Mathias on December 14, 2010 at 1:10pm

Hi Bernadette!

I have had success with Kidblog.  This blog site uses the Wordpress platform, and makes it very easy for teachers to control the content and postings of students.  It's also FREE!  You can create student usernames and passwords.  I've just completed a book promotional project in which I had students summarize reader responses and daily learning via a post.  I had it set so that any time a student posted something, their post had to be approved before it appeared on the class blog.  For these 2nd graders, they really enjoyed their first blogging experience!  Hope this helps!