break into blogging teaching locally. sharing globally. flattening the classroom walls. shawn avery...
TRANSCRIPT
Break Into BloggingTeaching Locally. Sharing Globally.
Flattening the Classroom Walls.
Shawn Avery and Geri O'Reilly Silver Lake Regional School District Irene Kistler Northeast Independent School District
What is a Blog?The term "blog" refers to a "web log." •It's an online journal to which you can add different types of media.•Posts are chronological.•There are many different hosts and blog designs.
You will notice a variety of blogging platforms among flat classrooms. •EdublogsoOnly for educatorsoFree and Pro versionsFree version gives limited storage space and puts an ad for Edublog at the top of the pagePro version gives lots of storage space and student accounts•BloggeroFree for everyoneoOnly need a Google accountoLimited security•WordPressoFreeoLimited security due to being open for all to use
EngageStudents
Parent Communication
Global Connections
Authentic Student Writing
Why Blog?
EngageStudents
Parent Communication
Global Connections
Authentic Student Writing
A Quality Comment
Authentic Student Writing
• Blogging gives students an audience: an authentic reason to write!
• Teaching “Quality Commenting” is key!1. Letter Format (optional, but best practice)2. Two to Three Content Sentences3. Start with a compliment!4. Details must match the Main Idea!
• As they write more, their skills continue to grow.
• They will FINALLY capitalize “I” in their sentences!
6
Authentic Student Writing Engage
Students
Parent Communication
Global Connections
Share With Others Learn From Others
Global Connections
• Students connect with kids and schools around the world.
• We have a blog roll to easily locate other classes and student blogs...which leads to their blog rolls...and so on and so on and so on.
• Students immediately notice the similarities and differences between their everyday life and the life of students in other states and on other continents. They COMPARE, EVALUATE and JUDGE.
• Firsthand experience, not secondhand knowledge.
Global Connections
• Post a world map.
• Mark San Antonio, Texas.
• String out to countries and continents:North, South, East, WestHemisphereContinentCountry Name and FlagSeasons Time Zones
• Christchurch, New Zealand: Is our buddy class okay?
Engage StudentsParent Communication
Authentic Student Writing
Global Connections
Share Work Share Events
Parent Communication
• Parents love seeing their child's work published. Families feel like they’re part of what's happening in the class.
• Family Blogging Month: Parents, other family, and friends participate in a contest. The top three bloggers earn their own blog. This helps to build student confidence.
Authentic Student Writing
Global Connections
Parent Communication
Engage Students
Includes ALL
Share Links
Web 2.0 Tools
Engage Students
Media Upload--Teach Creative Commons
Web 2.0 Tools
• With a blog, you can embed different types of media, such as pictures and videos. This gives new opportunities for students to create and share projects.
• Blogging also gives a showcase to Web 2.0 tools. As
students complete projects, they can be embedded into posts.
Check them out!Great Blogs
17
Great Blogs to Visit
Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog
Mrs. Yollis teaches third grade just outside of Los Angeles, California. Last year she was first runner up in the Edublog Awards for her class blog and received a Lifetime Achievement Award for the work that she has done with blogging.
Mr. Salsich's Class Blog
Mrs. Salsich also teaches third grade but in Stonington, Connecticut. He was also nominated for an Edublog Award this year. He does an amazing job of engaging students through the use of his blog.
Great Blogs to Visit
Billings Beta
Billings is middle school in Seattle Washington. It won the award for Best Class Blog last year. It's a great example of a blog kept with older students. As students grow, so does their skills with technology. This blog shows that!
2KM and 2KJ
2KM and 2KJ is an example of an international blog. It is based out of Leopold, Australia (Victoria). They have made amazing connections with schools from all over the world, showing the true potential of a class blog.
Blogging Livebinder
Let’s Get Posting!
