Jun 18, 2005

so you wanna teach blogging?

A reader of Jenny D sees my comment on her blog, and writes:
I've had my own blog for a few months, and have some ideas about how to incorporate them in my classroom, but I'd love to hear some specifics from you about how you use them in yours. In the comment I read, you stated that your class blogs aren't public, to avoid liability issues. I'd like to know how to set up a private blog - is that done through the school server or intranet? I'm not a technical person, so if those are the same thing, forgive me.

I'd also like to know what you see as some of the benefits and drawbacks to using them in school.
I've used blogs in my English classes for two years now, which places me at pedagogy's leading edge. (For once I am ahead of the times.) Each of my classes has its own group blog, used for discussions, debates, research, and instant publishing. Here are some of my suggestions on how to make blogging an effective addition to your instruction....



1. Set up a class blog with yourself as the administrator. If you're well-connected to your school's IT department, they may have software and server space at the ready so you have a relatively easy time putting it together.

2. If you're techno-savvy and your school's server space isn't accessible, a site like blogger.com is the other way to go. As long as you choose to not ping weblogs.com and not add your blog to blogger's listings, your blog will effectively be private. (You can also set it up so that only members of the blog can comment, closing the fence.)

3. Privacy is important for two reasons. One, it mitigates potential nastiness by the more sinister elements of the online community. Two, it gives shy students the knowledge that although their work is accessible from anywhere they can find an internet connection, it isn't being broadcast for the whole world to see.

4. Set up clear rules for acceptable blog behavior, and remove blogging privileges for students who flout them. A sample:
1. Post only if you are opening a new topic. Reserve your responses to established topics for the comment section.

2. Don't post the same thing more than once. Delete the duplicate if you do.

3. Quote your opponent directly (cut-and-paste, and use italics or "blockquote").

4. Include links to relevant websites--news articles, statistics, etc. Don't just type in the address (the URL).

5. Think before you post. Remember, words "seem" different when typed, since there's no body language, no tone of voice, nothing but the words themselves.

6. Spell-check. People often assume that poor spellers are ignorant, and judge their arguments and writing accordingly.

7. No personal attacks--"You Suck," etc. You'll be banned, at my discretion. The same goes for any non-school-appropriate behavior. Be mature.
5. For assessment and grading purposes, make sure each student's display name includes part of their real name. "Snooky567" won't work if you don't know who "Snooky567" is.

6. Give lots of examples for students to follow. Show them how to link (not just type in a URL), how to quote, how to effectively use italics and bold and colored text, how to write a pithy summary of a news article and comment for discussion, how to format paragraphs in an online environment.

7. Promote an operational vocabulary. Never refer to an individual posting as a "blog."

8. In a secure location, record each username and password. If you aren't blogging frequently, students are prone to forget (mostly because they have thousands of other online identities).

9. Speaking of, blog frequently--at least once every other week. This means you'll have to plan lab time and backups for when technology or fire drills put your pedagogy on hold.

10. Have variety in your blogging assignments. Introduce the technology as a form of instant publishing--have your students write a brief story or essay, or comment on a news article. Don't presume that blogging conversations will supplant normal face-to-face discussion, since students have varying degrees of comfort and success with both.

11. The benefits of in-class blogging are obvious. Many students are unaware of the possibilities, even in our information-saturated age. They'll learn valuable skills, and have the chance to hone their writing for a sympathetic audience in a way that typing essays for the teacher doesn't always provide. They may branch off and start their own blog. Some shy, quiet students will become tigers online. Nine out of ten students will be inherently motivated to participate.

12. The drawbacks are minimal. There may be students who try to abuse the medium. If you don't have clear assignments, they may become frustrated or waste time surfing the web. Again, blogging isn't a substitute for small group or whole class discussions and debates, or for more complex and detailed work.

13. Remember that you are part of the blog as well. Comment on students' work. Share your own writing. Lead by example.

Hopefully these are helpful. Your questions and comments are welcomed.

10 comments:

MT said...

Lately I've thought the country would be better off if all students wore uniforms. But interacting through text is sort of like wearing a uniform. Your post makes me think it might be a good compromise.

Jim Anderson said...

As long as they are exceedingly ridiculous uniforms, with breeches and buckled shoes.

Smithee said...

Don't forget a little beanie hat with a propeller on top.

Seriously, thank you so much for all the advice. This will not only help me in the classroom, but will be a big part of my presentation on Monday. Thanks for the help and for responding so quickly.

Jim Anderson said...

No problem, smithee--that's just the magic of blogging. Best wishes!

John said...

I've taught blogging at the library where I work. About 20 people have attended the classes. A couple might actually start blogs, but in any event, more people will be aware of what this buzzword means.

Jim Anderson said...

That's cool, John. Libraries are the greatest public accommodation in existence.

John said...

Really? I'd privatize the lot of them in a heartbeat.

Anonymous said...

This is very true. I've been teaching English at high schools in Japan for the past few years and I recently started using blogs in class. Lab time is no problem simply because students can update from their cell phones. Ain't technology wonderful?

Murky thoughts is 100% about the uniforms. Naturally they all wear uniforms here but using text adds an extra layer of group identity. It helps keep people focused on the discussion and so far it has been a great tool to use.

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judygraham said...

You were way ahead of the technology curve. I'm getting ready to start teaching blogging and it's 2009, but I'm still going to be the first in my school to do so.

I found your advice helpful and it answered many of my questions.