As an educator, making connections with students is key in ensuring their success in school. New media is one way to do this. Students are constantly texting, checking Facebook, and using new media to keep in contact with others and their world. Utilizing these new media devices would increase this idea of connectedness with students.
One example of new media is blogging. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary (2001), a blog is "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer". Fostering interchanges among the students in the classroom is a curriculum standard that may be taught through blogs. An example of this is having the students read an article, post a blog, and then comment on other students' blogs. The possibilities do not end there Classroom Ideas. Andy Carvin (2006) also shared other uses for blogging in education that focused on colleagues and parents Communication with blogs.
Classroom blogging offers many benefits to the students. Blogging is motivational. Students are using tools they know and can manipulate well. They are also building skills through the blogs. The growth of their writing skills is encouraged. The blogs do need to be reviewed by the teacher and mini units on writing may be developed upon seeing the responses. Blogging also gives the opportunity of using critical thinking skills because the student must read and understand the material blogged and write an appropriate response. This new media device will employ their technology skills. Technology surrounds us and students need to be competent in using it. Education is about learning and preparing students for the real world. Having students employ these skills through blogs is very appropriate in education today.
However, as an educator, knowing what the new media is and having ideas on how to use this device presented, is not enough. Teachers need to be aware of the dangers of blogging. Because blogs are web based and may be accessed by anyone, teaching students about safeguarding their information as well as using appropriate language is imperative Dangers.
In conclusion, blogging is a terrific new media tool that educators can employ to motivate students and enhance their curriculum. It may be used as a communication device as well. Dangers are present, with blogging, but educating the students about those concerns would be part of the teaching process.
Key Words: blogging, dangers, educational, motivational
Resources:
Carver, A. (2006). What Exactly is a Blog, Anyway? Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2006/05/what_exactly_is_a_blog_anyway.html
Education Tech Team, Education World, (2011). The Education World Tech Team Discusses Social Networking and Blogging Sites-Should Schools Ban Them or Teach Kids to Use Them? Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech232.shtml
Group of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2006. Using Blogs to Integrate Technology into the Classroom.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blog
