Using Blogs to Integrate Technology in the Classroom

In October 2006, an article was published by “Teaching Today”, an on-line website that provides teachers with lesson plans and teaching tips that can help them in the classroom. The featured article was “Using Blogs to Integrate Technology in the Classroom”, and provided useful information and insight to the future education and teaching has in the world of technology and blogging.

What is a blog?
Blog (blŏg) – noun or verb used like journals and diaries on-line; include text, artwork, links to other blogs or Web sites, and a whole array of other content; read by others and can be commented on; postings are usually in reverse chronological order; Synonym: weblog
“The assignment was posted on the teacher’s blog.”; “I had to blog the teacher for help on the assignment.”
Blogger – noun any contributor to a blog
Blogging – verb the process of creating or maintaining a blog
Multi-Blog – an on-line “conversation” taking place between several blogs

User Friendly Technology
Blogs are surprisingly easy to use and convenient for teachers and students. They require minimum technical knowledge and are quickly and easily created and maintained. Blogs are very convenient for students because they are accessible from any home or library computer with Internet.

Educational Benefits of Blogs
· Motivational
· Easy to Use
· Effective form for collaboration and discussions
· Excellent opportunities for outside of classroom learning and teaching

Using the Blog in the Classroom
Blogs can serve at least four basic functions.
1. Classroom Management – post important class announcements and assignments
2. Collaboration – getting together to further education in cooperative learning activities
3. Discussions – open time to discuss various topics
4. Student Portfolios – organization and developing work

Blog Risks to Consider
**School districts have guidelines and acceptable use policies (AUP) regarding the use of school and division-wide computer networks and the Internet. These terms and conditions identify acceptable online behavior and access privileges. Policies regarding the displaying of any student work must be adhered to strictly. Take the necessary steps to secure parental permission before using the blog in a participatory manner.
**Blogs can be viewed publicly! Students need to be trained on issues regarding access, privacy, security, and free expression.
**Content of blogs should be recognized as the opinion of the blogger, and, therefore, may not necessarily be factual!

Preparing Students for Blogging
· Determine that all students are aware of the AUPs and they agree to abide by them.
· Secure parental permission and inform parents of procedures.
· Teach students safe, acceptable, and sensible behavior as online authors and readers.
· Teach the non-posting rules of no complete names, e-mail accounts, or references to reveal location.
· Set clear expectations and consequences regarding tone and respect.

Steps for Getting Started on Blogs
1. Go to one of the available free blogging sites (Blogger at http://www.blogger.com/ is very popular)
2. Provide the necessary information requested. (username and password)
3. Create a title for your blog.
4. Accept terms
5. Select a template
6. Publish!

Blogging for Us – The Teachers of the Future!
Blogging is increasingly becoming more and more popular with students all over the country. Websites like Myspace and Facebook are based on the same ideas as blogging. In the future teachers may be able to save time and avoid plagiarism through providing and accepting assignments through a blogging system. Overall, this article provided us with effective information on using blogs in the classroom and provided information that makes it easy to apply to our future curriculums.