Setting up the Blogging Lesson

I am using Julie Strugeon's article, Five Don’ts of Classroom Blogging, in planning my lesson on blogging into any classroom. Strugeon gives good suggestions for a successful and collaborative class blogging community. I have covered the following “Don’t Do’s” with my students. I have also posted these tips as a visual instructional plan.

1. Don’t just dive in - I have prepare my students for blogging by reviewing netiquette, blogging procedures, blogging directions. I will model how right before they start blogging their comments for the assignment.

2. Don’t confuse blogging with social networking - This will be an ongoing conversations with my middle school students. I have it clear that they are to give constructive comments and suggestions. I will monitor all their blog comments closely.

3. Don’t leap at the freebees - I have setup a blog with this site but I am also going to try two other sites to see what is visually appealing and easier for my students.

4. Don’t force a sequential style - My blog assignment will keep the class focused on their digital photography assignments. I think they will enjoy giving their comments on their classmates photography work.

5. Don’t leave the blogging to the students - This will be a struggle unless I do it during my planning period or the digital photography class. I want to make sure I am giving feedback, prompting, and praise. However, the comments of their classmates will go along way in enforcing photography principles and improving their images.

I am hoping I will be able to place a link to the blog site on the school website to encourage parents and students outside the class to give constructive comments. I also would like to implement blogging into my 8th grade art classes next semester.

Nailah


Sturgeon, J. (2008). Five Don'ts of Classroom Blogging. T H E Journal, 35(2), 26-30. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database.