Blogs in the classroom is a great way for students to enhance their writing skills in a content area. Students can communicate their ideas in a blog and receive feedback from teachers and peers. Peers can ask the blogger questions to help them take their learning to a new level. By responding to questions students can develop critical thinking skills by reflecting on the questions asked.
I teach 9-12 computer classes. In Keyboarding and Desktop Publishing classes my students could post their work on a blog. By posting their work, students can receive feedback on the design and layout of their documents. In Desktop Publishing we focus on creating documents using appropriate design concepts such as focus, balance, consistency, contrast, proportion, directional flow and color. Instead of receiving feedback only from the teacher, students can see each others work and provide feedback. In addition, topics related to standards covered during the week could be posted and students could discuss those topics in depth to increase their learning. Sometimes the best learning comes not from the teacher, but from a student's peers.
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Jeannie, i am truly excited about your blog because we share the same passion. I also teach desktop application to students at the college. I know that blogging is a sure way to engage students in critical thinking and also to share thoughts and ideas.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever posted videos for them grasp concepts that are difficult, and have them create asignments on the blog so that you can see if they understood the subject area. The blog is also a great ways to display and view other projects for other students.
Tell me what you think?
I think you are absolutely right when you say the best learning comes from their peers. You have created an excellent way for you students to solve their problems without feeling embarrassed. The hands-on approach that your students have with the computers have unlimited possibilities.Simply by looking at someone else's blog or post they can probaly figure out a strategy for completion. I think your idea will allow your students to take more responsibility leaving you to monitor and step in when you are needed. What do you think?
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ReplyDeleteI agree that posting a video inside a blog would be a great way to help students grasp difficult concepts. Last week we used the document camera to discuss the design concepts students incorporated into their brochure projects. I would like to place a sampling of these brochures in blog to start a class dicussion. As of today, I have not started a blog in my classroom, but I want to implement one soon. I think a blog will encourage all students to have a voice to can write what they think, even those shy students that normally do not speak. This is a way to get them involved. Thanks for the suggestions.
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