The simple answer to the above question is yes. The blog I have been using for four years now
has become a simple and important part of my classroom. I have review materials, class lectures,
games, and more that I have posted for students who are interested in bettering
themselves.
I was inspired to write this small post today because of
something a student said today. I was telling
them all that I would be organizing the blog for review purposes to help them
review materials for the final exam/mid-term so they could find all the
materials in one place. When I was done
one boy shouted out, “That’s great. I
check the blog at least once a week to make sure I understand everything.” This to me was proof that this works. I have also had some kids ask me how to start
their own, which prompted me to show a few of them how. I think that it is something that I am
showing them how to do by example. One
of these days when I have more technology available I plan to have students do
most of their writing on a blog instead of everywhere else so they have a place
they can have a digital portfolio. Just
need to wait until everyone in the school isn’t fighting over the computers…
If you are wondering how to get started here are a few tips
I have found useful:
1.
Go to blogger or wordpress and get started. It’s not as hard as you think. Just sign up and start creating. The templates start you out right away.
2.
Understand that creating a blog takes time and
effort. Success does not appear
overnight. Just keep working at it. Be a tinkerer. The tweaks will always make it better.
3.
The layout isn’t as important as you think. Just get started posting things for your
students. The templates pretty much set
it all up for you.
4.
Show the students how to get there and make sure
they know how to use it.
5.
Someone once told me that students will use
something the more you use it. So far
that seems to be true. The more I have
them use it the more likely they are to use it.
I use this for projects in class to review. It all helps.
6.
The internet is your friend. So many people have posted guides on how to
expand on your blog. If you get stuck
and are not sure how to proceed just use Google. It really is your friend.
7.
It can be a place where you house things you do
year in and year out. I used to save
links and stuff to word documents, but then I lost the flash drive or something
happened to my hard drive and they were gone.
The cloud helps make things easier.
I doubt Google will be going away any time soon. “What did I save that as?” becomes “Oh here
it is on such and such date.” I like
this because I have moved states and schools many times. The blog keeps your resources together no
matter where you go.
8.
Remember that most of the blogs you are seeing are
the result of lots of time being put in.
Like anything the work has to be done.
Success is a choice. But don’t
let that discourage you. I spent lots of
my years worrying about why my creations did not look like everyone else’s. Each blog is an extension of the person you
are reading from. Yours will not look
like everyone else’s because you are you.
9.
Videos help my students study and some have
really liked the games I post. Content you
choose to make available can be supplemental or relate directly to what you are
learning. It can come from your own
videos you make or ones that other have made.
So far I have only posted ones made by others, but who knows. Maybe one day I’ll make some more. There is no wrong way to do this as long as
the content is appropriate for the grade level.
10. Just be brave. Most will be grateful you are doing
this. No one is going to come after
you. Even if they do, can they really
argue with you providing a place for your students to continue to grow outside
of school? Plus, having a positive digital footprint will only benefit you.
Happy Blogging! Just give it a try! Remember, the important thing is to just start! Once you start things will continue moving in the right direction!
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