Week 5 - Blogs in the Classroom

Marisa Dudiaks' second grade class uses a blog in the classroom. After a field trip to a Native American reservation, the class shared their experiences online. This was reported to have made the quieter students "come alive" online and show more academic interest. The blogs achieved longer question and answer sessions and were even active during the summer vacation. The blogs have turned students into modern day pen pals, as some even stayed in contact after the class had ended. Grammar and spelling were improved as students were aware that their parents may read what they write.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/19/technology/circuits/19blog.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=33627811ca310596&ex=1250568000

Will Richardson is an instructional supervisor at a school in New Jersey. As a former English teacher, he posted a forum for students to blog about a book they were to read for class. The blog was so successful that the author of the book learned a new perspective on her own writings from reading the students blogs. Mr. Richardson then made the use of blogs a "staple" for the curriculum at his school. It now has over 400 blogs in use at its website.

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/03/AR2006040301350.html