Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Blogging in Class

I'm covering a class right now. Web Design. Students have just started to explore blogs as a means of writing for an authentic audience, of making connections through their writing.  The students tell me that they have done some researching: looking at other blogs, post types, design ideas.  Today they have logged into WordPress to create their first blog.  Of the fourteen students sitting in this room, no one has blogged before.  "Does Twitter count?"

So what do these novice bloggers think about blogging?

  • "It reminds me a lot of Twitter, just longer."
  • "This is just something I have to do for class."
  • "I feel like blogging could be dangerous because people know what you are doing."
  • "I took this class so I wouldn't get stuck in another gym class, but now that we've started, I'm kind of excited."
So am I.  I try to share all the connections and collaborations that I have made as a result of this blog.  I'm blogging in front of them at this moment, my words looming large on the screen in room 214 to demonstrate just how easy this process is.  I'm going to hit "publish," share this out on Twitter. Can you help me demonstrate how people connect using blogs? Leave a comment to let us know that you are visiting. 

What advice do you have to offer to these novice bloggers?

10 comments:

Mr. Hyler said...

Write about your passions. Don't be fearful about what others will say. You have a voice and people want to hear it. If possible post links, maybe images to go along with your posts. I hope this helps. Good luck bloggers!

Mr. H.
@jeremybballer

Unknown said...

Hi, I saw Ms. Ward's tweet on the #ecet2 feed on my tweetdeck. I am a K-12 STEM Supervisor from NJ who believes in learning beyond the four walls we sit in. I know blogging can be scary and I am just as guilty of not hitting publish. I tend to struggle to hit publish, but then I stop and think I can tweet, so why not blog?

I tend to read more blogs then I create. I enjoy reading others perspectives. Having a strong math background, reading short blurbs can help me with my own reflection as well as inspire ideas I can use in my own local school district.

Good luck with your blogging, if you have any questions that an edu from NJ can help answer or give an opinion to, feel free to reach out!

Have a great Tuesday.

Josh Zagorski
NJ STEM Supervisor
Twitter: @JZagorski1

Unknown said...

Ms Ward and I were colleagues in the PA Writing and Literature Project. We have a blog for teachers at pawlpblog.org and it's been a great experience. A lot of teachers, like students, are frustrated when others speak for them. A blog gives everyone the opportunity to tell their own story, and to have a conversation with others about it, no matter where in the world they are.

Anonymous said...

I am visiting from MN. I love reading blogs to get different views on issues that I care about.

Rachelle Wynkoop said...

The great thing about a blog is that you have some control over what you want to share. It doesn't have to be personal like a diary! I also agree with Mr. H that including links and images is helpful. Boyne City has a teacher that blogs with students. Maybe the two schools could pair up!

Unknown said...

Have good titles--descriptive and creative. Link to others when you can. If you are proud of what you wrote, send it out more widely via Twitter, Facebook, etc. Comment on each other's posts. It's supposed to be an extended conversation. You can use your blog as a kind of portfolio to showcase your work--whether it's writing, building websites, or art. Oh, and have fun!

Annabel said...

I used to blog regularly but have found that life has gotten too busy for me lately. I've really enjoyed some long-distance friendships I've developed with people I've never met because of blogging. I love to read the mundane, day in the life, blogs of people that allow me to see a glimpse of someone else's world. As far as my own blog - it has been a great way to remember things from the past that I've forgotten. Having blogged for over 10 years - it's amazing to see how things have changed. Sometimes it's amazing to look back at what I thought were really bleak moments and then be amazed at how life can change drastically. Don't worry about trying impress people with your blogs - write for you and what you love or what is on your mind. You'll always find readers - and if you don't, just write for you.

Dan Crowley said...

I have been pushing teachers and students to begin blogging so that their work/voice can reach a wider audience. It can deepen and solidify their learning. It can create connections with other's and extend the conversation beyond the school walls and school day. Now I have to commit to blogging myself. This post is a great reminder that I need to walk the walk!

Alex McDonnell said...

Hi Bloggers
I think what is cool about blogs is your audience is potentially far bigger than anything you have at school. I published to a couple of formal publications years ago. Who read it? Very few. I get more views for any tweet I make. I blog somewhat regularly, and thousands have viewed my posts (and I'm really a small player in the blogging universe).

bj neary said...

I turned to blogging as a way of reviewing and talking about the books I read. My blogging connects to Facebook, Twitter, Sccop.it, etc. and as time goes on you meet others who like what you write, they become your friend and you become their friend and you share your reading and writing with each other and before you realize it - you are building an audience. What is also nice is that you become part of a world-wide community who enjoy shared interests and passions. Blogging has become a way to express myself when others are not around to physically talk to; I look forward to blogging and sharing with my new found friends.

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