The incorporation of blogging within my classroom can take several forms, but the one I am most enthused about is what I will refer to as the pen pal approach.
First, though a little bit of background:
Within my district there is a predominant community of first and second-generation Chinese immigrants. In an effort to better understand my community of learners and their families I took several courses on Chinese History, culture, literature and art. I also traveled to China, once as a tourist an once as a teacher of sorts. As a result I was able to develop relationships with colleagues in China; we are collaborating on ways to incorporate peer communication and cooperation across the globe. As an eighth grade social studies teacher, it is my goal for my students to think in global not simply American terms and perspectives.
The pen pal approach, then, would incorporate blogging in an informal manner. Studts from both countries would weigh in on issues (cultural, societal, educational_ posed by instructors and eventually the students themselves. Dialogues would be opened and insight gained in an informal atmosphere. Students would be responsible for posting opinions as well as replying to each other.
Another utilization of blogs in my classroom would be to facilitate scaffolding for struggling or at risk students on research papers, essay writing, and long term projects (though the blog would be available for utilization by all students). Listing possible resources, graphics, topic brainstorms, and more would provide further support at home for students. The blog space would provide students with opportunities to ask guidance questions that could be answered by me, the instructor, or their peers. This would save class time and facilitate the creation of a close knit, supportive community of learners.The blog space in this instance would act as both a springboard and a lifeline.
