Blogging in the Classroom

As teachers in the classroom today we will be teaching "digital natives." This means it is important that we can effectively utilize technology in our classrooms to keep up with our students learning and communication style. One of the many ways we can do this is by using blogging in our classrooms. There are several ways blogging can be used effectively in the classroom to help scaffold students.

First of all, blogs are great for letting everyone in the class participate. They give everyone equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. This way no students will be talking over the rest of the class and monopolizing sharing time, and those students who are not as loud in the classroom are still able to have their voice heard. It is also helpful for those students who like to have time to think things over before sharing. Writing something down can be an effective way of sorting through your feelings about a subject and reflecting on your ideas and beliefs.

Another reason blogs are effective is their impact on literacy. They give students the opportunity to read and write on a regular basis, as well as developing their typing skills which are going to be essential in the world outside of school, if not in school.

Blogs can be forums for discussion that might take place more easily in written form than in oral form, again, partly because it gives everybody equal opportunity to share. For students with social anxiety issues or speech impairments, blogs level the playing field and let them participate by showcasing their strengths rather than exceptionalities, or challenges.

Blogs also allow students to communicate with people from around the world, so they know they really do have a voice, and it is being heard. They know that people are taking an interest in what they are doing, and this gives them the confidence that will help them succeed in life.

There are many ways technology can be implemented into the classroom to help students learn, and using blogs is one of the easiest ways. A classroom blog could be a great tool for students and teachers alike, helping them grow academically, scaffolding their progress.