The first article that I read discussed blogging in an elementary classroom. It included that with today’s technology it is important for students to start getting an understanding of how to increase/develop their communication skills and reading comprehension. There are four common types of blogs found in elementary classrooms; Classroom News Blogs, Mirror Blogs, Showcase Blogs, and Literature Response Blogs. Classroom News Blogs are what they sound like. They are blogs specifically to show students and parents current assignments, class updates, school updates, and other information that teachers may feel important to announce. Mirror Blogs are where teachers are able to write their reflections and insights on various topics, lectures, books, etc. Showcase Blogs are a place teachers can display their student’s projects, artwork, and other various assignments that the teacher feels appropriate. Literature Response Blogs are for posting stories and/or thought provoking information to increase student thinking and response.
The next large part in the article reviewed “HOT” blogging, which includes four steps Bolster the Background, Prime the Pump, Continue the Conversation, and Make Multiplicity Expensive. These steps, when used correctly, encourage various types of learning and comprehension. The first step is where the background information is started. Priming the Pump increases communication and thinking by giving topic discussion questions. This helps lead into Continuing the Conversation, which is where others start summarizing the topic and what they’ve learned. Making Multiplicity Expensive is the last step where students read each other’s responses and learn these different writing styles and views. Overall the teacher did notice the students learning increase. It was assumed that this was due to the students increased exposure to various information online and from peers.
Zawilinski, L. (2009). Hot blogging: A framework for blogging to promote higher order thinking. The Reading Teacher. 62, 650–661 Doi:10.1598/RT.62.8.3
For anyone reading this, and I hope that it's everyone in this class, have you commented on another blog yet? We need to take these steps to experience how blogs work or don't work. Reading articles is great but learning to driving by just reading the manual is not advisable. COntinue the Conversation!
ReplyDelete