Journal #9

This article talks about avoiding the 5 most common mistakes with blogs teachers use with their students. These mistakes are 1. Ineffective contextualization, 2. Unclear learning outcomes, 3. Misuse of the environment, 4. Illusive grading practices, and 5. Inadequate time allocation. The author discusses the importance of using blogs in the classroom to help with student clarity while avoiding common mistakes. The first mistake she talks about is ineffective contextualization. This means there needs to be a clear context of what learning tool is used in order for students to understand the benefit of their learning. Students must be provided with concepts to help them think through ideas to construct. The next mistake the author talks about is unclear learning outcomes. Following the first common mistake, students must also be given the learning outcomes of publishing their blog to help them with instructional flow. Learning outcomes, not to be confused with course objectives, include student learning needs and objectives, and future application of the learning. By providing students with their learning outcomes, they are able to develop new higher level thinking skills. The next mistake is misuse of the environment. The author states blogs aren't to be confused with wikis, and the intention of blogs is solely for the purpose of individual publication. Blogs allow for self-posting, encouraging students to write about their thoughts and voice their opinions. Illusive grading practices is the next common mistake. The grading of blogs should have clear rubrics so that students don't become confused as to how their work is being evaluated. When the teacher is clear on their grading, students are able to process to a higher level of understanding and apply these processes to their learning. The last common mistake is inadequate time allocation. This means, students should be given an adequate amount of time to complete their work. This then encourages students, allow for greater participation from them.

Are blogs beneficial in the classroom?
I think using blogs could be beneficial to the classroom, if the mistakes described in the article are avoided. The ultimate goal of teachers is to encourage classroom participation and create a comfortable environment for all students. Teachers must remember to inform students that each blog is their own creation of their thoughts and ideas and each student needs to be respectful of one another. I want to teach lower level elementary school so I don't think I would necessarily use blogs for my students. However, I think this is a great tool to use in the upper level grades.

Are blogs becoming more common in the classroom?
Blogging in general is a growing trend, but I'm not sure how many teachers have actually implemented the idea into their classroom. Teachers may have a class blog in which only the teacher can edit postings, but I haven't yet heard of any teachers having their students create their own blogs. I think with time since technology is being used more and more in the classroom, student blogs will become a more common thing.

Reynard, Ph.D, R (2008). Avoiding the 5 most common mistakes in using blogs with students. Retrieved 2008, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23434_4