Technology in the Classroom

First off, teachers, what is a blog?  The term blog is a shortened version of web log.  A web log is simply an online journal.  And perhaps in the beginning that’s all you will use it for, but there is much more you and your students can do.  “Blogs are useful teaching and learning tools because they provide a space for students to reflect and publish their thoughts and understandings. And because blogs can be commented on, they provide opportunities for feedback and potential scaffolding of new ideas. Blogs also feature hyperlinks, which help students begin to understand the relational and contextual basis of knowledge, knowledge construction and meaning making” (Ferdig & Trammell, 2004).  With blogs students become publishers of authentic academic material.  They can create and take ownership of their own little corner of the web, construct their own content, and reach out to their fellow classmates and the world. 

Blogs easily allow for teachers to make comments on students’ work and for students to make corrections.  Blogs also keep an archive of entries, so you and your students can see how their writing has progressed over time.  Many teachers are already using a blog as a class webpage or having their students use blogs for class assignments.  A simple online search will show you just how many blogs are out there.  Are you ready to join the millions already out there in the blogosphere?

Blogs can be used in every subject.  There is always something to write and reflect on.  The Constructivist theory says, “The learners, rather than the teacher are responsible for defending, proving, justifying, and communicating their ideas to the classroom community and the community at large. Time is considered an adaptable resource not a confining obstacle” (Reilly, 2008).  That is at the heart of blogs.  And, by the way, I found that in a blog!

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