Journal #3

The Five Don’ts of Classroom Blogging
By Julie Sturgeon
The Journal
February 2008 Issue

Summary

This article discusses the benefits and downfalls of classroom blogging. According to Brock Dubbels, a high school teacher in Minnesota, blogging in the classroom is beneficial for his students. He says that students perform better when they know their peers will be reviewing their work instead of just the teacher. However, Dubbles notes that blogging is not all fun and games. Teachers need to be aware that without strict guidelines students will push the envelope on what is appropriate and what is not. In some cases students’ inappropriate remarks have gotten their teachers in trouble. Some teachers avoid using blogging in the classroom for this very reason. The article goes on to suggest some don’ts for teachers when using blogging in their classroom. “Don’t just dive in,” “don’t confuse blogging with social networking,” “don’t leap at the freebies,” “don’t force a sequential style,” and lastly “don’t leave the blogging to the students.” All these are valuable suggestions for any teacher considering implementing blogging in their classroom.

Questions:

1) Would you consider implementing blogging in your classroom?
Yes. I would consider implementing blogging in my classroom. I feel students would respond well to the implementation of a technology they are familiar with and find fun. I am aware that some students would try and take advantage of the situation and get away with writing inappropriate material. In order to curb these tendencies I would work hand and hand with the technology staff on campus to implement strict security procedures so that I could track down students who violate my guidelines.
2) Are there any other don’ts you would add to the five mentioned above?
No. The five don’ts of classroom blogging seem to be all encompassing. I cannot think of any more don’ts to add to the list. However, when I start teaching and implement this idea in my classroom I might be able to come up with more don’ts. I always find that once you start actually doing something rather than just talking about it you learn more and discover better techniques and work out the little quarks along the way.