Blogging in the Classroom

ESchool News presents an excellent overview of the reasons that School Board should get on board using Technologies that keep pace with our students.

Before school officials prohibit teachers and students from accessing certain web sites, they should think about the positive impact those sites might have on education: That was the message of “Think Before You Ban: How Classrooms Become Communities with Web 2.0 Technology,” a recent webcast sponsored by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).
The Jan. 16 program, moderated by ed-tech consultant Karen Greenwood Henke, focused on how schools can use Web 2.0 tools to foster collaboration and innovation in classrooms.

“We cannot ignore this phenomenon,” said Susan Brooks-Young, a Web 2.0 consultant who works with schools on technology programs and integration. Educators should “look at the instructionally sound ways to bring [Web 2.0 tools] in, and help both teachers and kids make the best use of this technology.”

Web 2.0 technologies “lend themselves very well to teaching 21st-century learning skills, and our job is to prepare kids for the workforce they’ll be facing when they leave school,” Brooks-Young added.

Before school officials prohibit teachers and students from accessing certain web sites, they should think about the positive impact those sites might have on education: That was the message of “Think Before You Ban: How Classrooms Become Communities with Web 2.0 Technology,” a recent webcast sponsored by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).
The Jan. 16 program, moderated by ed-tech consultant Karen Greenwood Henke, focused on how schools can use Web 2.0 tools to foster collaboration and innovation in classrooms.

“We cannot ignore this phenomenon,” said Susan Brooks-Young, a Web 2.0 consultant who works with schools on technology programs and integration. Educators should “look at the instructionally sound ways to bring [Web 2.0 tools] in, and help both teachers and kids make the best use of this technology.”

Web 2.0 technologies “lend themselves very well to teaching 21st-century learning skills, and our job is to prepare kids for the workforce they’ll be facing when they leave school,” Brooks-Young added.”

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The amount of information about blogging in the classroom is endless. The experts are varied and located in all parts of the world. The expertise is phenomenal. For the past 2 years I have watched from a distance how the technology is unfolding and in particularly in Canada. For some time the number of teachers and educators in Canada seemed to be meager. It is my neck of the woods and so I am thrilled to find committed individuals like Diane Hammond promoting the use of blogging as a way to enhance student learning at Ontario Blogs. I have watched with admiration as David Warlick, Wesley Fryer, Victoria Davis set the stage for the 21st century classroom. As a former trustee I am skeptical about any immediate adoption of blogging in main stream schools. In my previous post “I need permission” I discussed the biggest barriers to incorporating new learning strategies that include blogging, administrative support and funding. I don’t blame administrators for hesitating when it comes to technology and innovation. All too often administrative decisions are predicated on funding. But the buck needs to stop some where and in Ontario that is Queen’s Park. When students have 2 computers in the classroom and 40 minutes a week in a computer lab it is unrealistic that teachers and students become bloggers without a committed energetic teacher who embraces technology. Ontario Blogs is a strong indication of how funded projects can generate change and professional development but it takes more than one or two time funding to see every student with a computer. I have found excellent examples of blogging teachers Darren Kuropatwa, Quentin D’Souza for example and Diane Hammond and the iss07.yesican-science project So often the pioneers set the stage but they can’t do it alone. If that is to change, perhaps the following video should be required reading for all politicians.
Thanks to Matt Montagne at Middle School Ed Tech Blog for featuring this youtube video.

Using blogs in the classroom without permission can been seen as a direct challenge to the authority of the School Board or District responsible for the well being of children. For many people the media has portrayed social networks and forums as deep dark places where children are stalked and influenced by strangers. It’s not an unfounded notion.

It doesn’t take much for School administrators to reject any kind of program that would bring harm to children and blogging in the classroom seems to fit the mold. So not only is there a rejection of blogging because it is has the potential to put a strain on teacher and system resources, it is also shunned because of the fear of abuse. And that is not all that creates tension. Abuse can also take the form of a disgruntled parent or an unhappy student attacking a teacher, principal, school board posting their comments to retaliate for activities that occur in a school or classroom.
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“I have reservations about letting my students publish their work with out any controls in place.” I hear that comment from teachers administrators and parents.” YouTube shy adults, we naturally question the benefit of allowing students to publish their assignments online. The LandMark Project offers teachers a free classroom tool to use in establishing a classroom blogging environment. ClassBlogmeister