BLOG FOR EVERYBODY
Blogging is about the generation, consumption, response to, and re-creation of ideas. We seek out and read blogs that discuss topics we are interested in; therefore, it only makes sense to create blogs along these same lines. Ultimately, the foundation of blogging is having something important to say and developing a voice through which to communicate that message.At its base, blogging is about information and relationships. A blogging community has the potential to build teacher-teacher relationships, teacher-student relationships, and student-student relationships. The sharing of information and ideas through blogging has specific benefits for both students and teachers, providing an ideal platform for discussion, self-expression, developing a voice, and collective as well as collaborative learning. Teachers can utilize blogging for a variety of purposes. Meaningful interaction with students, parents, and colleagues is one of those purposes. Teachers can utilize blogs to keep open lines of communication with parents, informing them about homework assignments, updating them on classroom activities and news. They can also use blogs to generate dialoge with their students. One easy way to promote interaction and build teacher-student relationships is to post questions or "points to ponder" about current subject matter and ask students to respond with their opinions and ideas. Another purpose of blogging for teachers is to build collaborative relationships through sharing teaching experiences and ideas.
For teachers, blogging is an excellent plantform for dicussion of educational topics and provides an opportunity for collective and collaborative professional learning. It allows teachers to spread their ideas, encourages creative thinking, and creates a professional community in which teachers can learn, grow, and discuss. Blogging also offers unique learning opportunities to students. Through blogs, students have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with teachers and each other. Blogging not only provides students with a unique arena to discuss their interests, express opinions, and share their ideas, but also offers students a new perspective on the meaning of "voice." When students can "publish" their thoughts on a blog, this gives them a sense of choice and ownership, while encouraging and topic focused interaction within a collaborative learning community.
Students today are motivated by technology, which is understandable as they have grown up in an environment where technology is assumed. By inviting students to participate in and contribute to the technology driven world in which we live, we (as teachers) challenge them to approach writing and communication with enthusiasm, engage students in conversation and learning, challenge them to assume an active role in creating their own learning, and empower them to express their ideas and develop our own unique "voice."