BP2_2010041_EduUses4Blogs

I feel that blogging is a great instrument for students and teachers. Blogging is a form of writing where personal expression is allowed and authentic writing takes place. You are able to display your own work to a greater audience very simply. Students who are able to blog will feel like they are writing for a greater purpose. They know that others will be reading their blogs, and not just their teachers. While researching educational uses for blogs I came across an article on Edutopia’s website that made me realize I should be using blogs in my classroom. Jim Moulton (2008) wrote the article, “Blogs, Blogs Everywhere: Does Everyone Need an Internet Journal?” and he stated that, “Writing is a reflective process, and the creation of content you're going to share causes you to work hard to make your thinking clear. An audience creates anxiety, and appropriate levels of anxiety support our best efforts. And the best writing calls for our best thinking” (para. 6). This statement really got me thinking. In my classroom, students tend to speed through the writing process. They make sure all parts of their narrative writing diamond are displayed in their stories, but don’t take the time to worry about entertaining their audience or proofreading their work. Then I thought about the word audience. Their audience isn’t an audience. I am the only one (or an occasional classmate) reading their papers, journal entries, and written responses. If I were to have students’ blog their different writing pieces, I think they would put forth their best efforts and really try their best to entertain their audience.

I then thought about how my students perceive myself as a writer. I have never expressed to them that I do like to write or that I do write. Then I began to think about not only students’ blogging, but teachers as well. Moulton (2008) gave the example of teachers not considering themselves as writers. I thought about this statement and would have to agree. When do teachers write? Teachers write lesson plans, comments on student work, objectives, etc. Is this writing? Moulton (2008) stated, “Who do we want helping young people become better writers -- a writer, or a nonwriter?” (para. 10). If I blogged with my students in the classroom and allowed them to read my blogs I know they would be inspired to write authentic blogs as well. I never thought about this. My students enjoy when I read with them during silent sustained reading time. They like to sit near me, use a bookmark like me, and read chapter books like me. It would be the same if I were to write with them and to share my writing with them as well. Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Also, I don’t only have to write blogs with my students or for my students to read. I can use blogs to connect with other educators and to share my ideas, thoughts, or feelings. Blogging is a great way to reflect and to stay connected.

Reference:
Moulton, J. (2008). Blogs, blogs everywhere: does everyone need an internet journal. Retrieved April 3, 2010, from http://www.edutopia.org/blogging-purpose