When the term “blogs” began to be thrown around at SI, I wasn’t sure about the whole thing. My daughter in law was all excited, demanding to know my address. I hated to tell her that I had was a piece on techonology! but once I had the method down, how to post, publish, make comments, read comments, it was fun. It was so nice to see comments pop up on my email, and each was encouraging, and it encouraged me to read other blogs, and make comments. The blogs helped me get to know my fellows here at SI. That segues into how blogs can be used effectively in the classroom. I have always envied my English teaching comrades, as they seem to know their students so much better. I always believed that to be the result of writing. Our students will put into blogs what they would never say in class, and let us know what they are desperate for us to know. Academically, I would think it would also identify problems not easily recognizable in a class of 25-30.
I think the e-portfolio will be a professional finish on all my blog entries. They are random right now, except in my mind. Sorting and organizing them into some semblance of order will give me a sense of what I’ve accomplished in the past few weeks. The same applies to students. I think they would be surprised, when studying their final portfolio, at how much they have accomplished as well. So many, with their short attention spans, claim that they ‘didn’t do anything all year’ in a class, when in fact the portfolio proves otherwise. It is a good syllabus for future students, who are contemplating a weighted or AP class. Evidence of work makes a larger impression than a list of proposed projects.
I think you are right that English teachers do have an opportunity to get to know their studetns through the writing. My studetns journal everyday but I am thinking of having them journal one day a week on a blog instead of in class. That way it can be done when they have time and shouldn’t be a burden on those that do not have computers what say you?
I have thought in the last year that we as teachers need to get away from the notion that if they don’t use school computers, the assignment won’t be completed. I know I was so used to the idea that not all kids have access, but that has changed, and I haven’t changed with it. And for those who don’t have access, that is a smaller number, and with a little flexibility, we can get them to a computer in the school. I found it interesting that the students in Chemistry could take their quizzes away from school.