The use of Blogs

I have been using and reflecting on the use of blogs, wikis and weeblys over the last few days.

I will post a consolidated reflection later in the week. But here are some thoughts on the Blog scenario to start with.

Blog SAMR

Substitution	Blogs are used instead of traditional diaries or journals to document learning.
Augmentation	They could be used by students to evidence an assessment task by embedding links to word documents, spreadsheets, powerpoints etc.
Modification	When used to document evidence of an assessment task (or draft), the teacher and peers could provide feedback via the comments section, allowing the student to then write a reflective entry and blog the final assessment piece.   Using a link to a teachers email address, parents could make comments to email  the teacher who is then able to use this further formative assessment evidence and which could shed light on any difficulties the student is having.
Redefinition	Students could write a story where the comments from students in other schools (states, even countries) dictate the direction of the next chapter using polls.

Blog PMI

 

Plus	Minus	Interesting
May be engaging for students.   Encourages and reinforces literacy skills and practices, such as grammar and creative writing.   Could be used to evidence assessment tasks and provide opportunity for feedback.   Ability to use embedded objects or media suits a variety of learning styles.   Available for anybody in the world to view.   Fairly customisable and easy to use.	Need to have regular use of a computer for students to update blogs at school.   Students may not like the 'writing' component.   Elements are not easy to have 'anywhere' on the page. Need to rely on the templates available.   Readability could be limited by a student's level of grammar etc.    Available for anybody in the world to view.   Have to monitor what each student is posting. (time consuming)	Are parents clued in to blogs and their potential?   Do parents need to give permission for the children to keep a blog?   Templates are adjustable with knowledge of HTML coding.   Re-reading their own work before publishing could be used as editing practice and would reinforce literacy skills.   Is global 'viewability'  going to be a problem? Need to educate about amount of information given in a blog.  Could get tricky!   Any there any blogging sites that can only be seen by those with permission?

I want to look into the 'edublog' that I've heard about on my surfing travels.  As I think that one is only viewable by permission.  I received a link to a child's class journal, but was unable to see anything.  So I'm guessing that this platform ensures privacy.  Which of course is a major consideration for the classroom teacher and indeed parent.