...before I get into any other technologies... how did I start this webpage? I used Blogger.com to create this free website. To create a blog with Blogger, you don't need to be a computer programmer. If you can type a document, you can create a blog! It really is that simple. Blogger has the option of allowing anyone to view the website (as I have allowed on this website) or making your site private (which gives only those to whom you allow access the ability to view and comment on the website). As the creator of the website, you have the ability to create posts which appear on your website as well as manage the comments that others make (so if one of your students makes an inappropriate comment, as the creator of the blog, you can delete the comment). Applications for educational use are truly endless.
A few ideas for using a Blogger.com site in the classroom:
- Post an open-ended question that your students must respond to in the comments.
- This could be of great use for getting your students to think at higher-levels.
- Create questions before class even begins that are of increasing difficulty according to Bloom's Taxonomy. Then, as a part of your lesson, build in a time for students to respond to your questions on the blog. Students can also respond to each others' comments.
- This could be a great activity for students to complete as their "ticket out the door".
- Students who are "fast finishers" could find additional assignments/readings/questions on your blog.
- Students could post their writing samples on your blog.
- Classmates could be required to make a certain number of comments after reading their classmates work.
- If you give this assignment, be sure to give students very specific instructions about giving positive feedback and how to kindly word their suggestions for improvement.
- As students are working independently, you could rotate students through a computer station (1-5 computers) to read and comment on your blog.
- Teachers could use the blog to post student assignments.
- Teachers could post links for student research by topic.
- If you have enough computers in your classroom, you could have your class's daily warm-up posted to your blog and have students respond in the comments.
- Even if you do not have computers for every student, this could be done as tables or small groups.
- You could post math word problems and have students explain their answers.
- You may have students explaining how to solve the problem to other students in the comments section.
- This could really help students with homework - if you have students respond to questions during class with their own explanations, when students get home and begin to work similar problems, they can access those peer explanations to help jog their memories.
- Please let me know if you try any of these ideas and be sure tp add your great ideas for utilizing a blog with students in the comments section!
To get started on your free blog, simply access blogger.com and click the "Get Started" button or log in using your Google account.
