So, yeah, the former (and occasionally still) journalist should be the natural person to embrace blogging, right? Not so much. As a journalist, I almost always wrote about other people. In my few forays into first-person writing, even that usually focused more on other people, like a column about my grandfather (a World War II Marine Corps veteran) when the National Museum of the Marine Corps was getting ready to open at Quantico. After I was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, writing about my situation was something I had to do. Without the ability to write--to make sense of all the things that were going on in my head and body at the time, I'm almost certain I would have lost my mind. But that was a pretty extreme situation.
I've followed blogs for years--mostly those written by reporters and other professionals I admire. I've not been a big one for personal blogs. In the short time I've been an educator, I've read a few here and there, but nothing regularly. And I certainly never considered writing one until we got this assignment to blog for my graduate program. In thinking, reading about and now writing a blog, I've thought a lot about how this could be useful to me in my teaching. Others in my classes have suggested really great things, like using a blog for PLCs, to improve communication with parents, or to use it to help with training. I use our school Fusion site regularly for parent communication, and I like the idea of a blog that would allow for questions and comments (something Fusion doesn't do).
As far as using it in my teaching, I'm not sure for a couple of reasons. One is that I can't be certain that every student in my classes has a computer and internet access at home. Secondly, getting a computer lab reserved at my school practically takes an act of Congress, because there aren't nearly enough labs, and the ones that exist often have numerous machines not working or are reserved for SOL testing, which seems to be a year-long, every-day event this year. I could definitely differentiate for students who don't have computers or internet access by having them keep a journal, but that precludes the interaction/feedback component about blogs that most appeals to me. But that's also, I think, one of the challenges of blogs. A student who knows his/her work will be read by peers might be reluctant to share true thoughts and feelings, for fear of judgement. So, I'm still thinking about it.
I read "The Last Lecture" with my students, and it's an amazing book that should have the students doing some pretty deep thinking--about life and its challenges, about their futures, about death and the legacy that one leaves behind. It would be a perfect place to use blogging; I just need to figure out the best way to make it work.
4 comments:
Laura,
I love a lot of things about this post! First, I love that you linked some of the writing you referenced in the first paragraph. Such a techy thing to do! And very cool to let me, the reader know that much more about your little bits of personal writing. Thank you for sharing those!
Secondly, I really agree with your thoughts and hesitations about ways to incorporate blogs into your teaching practice. I also use my schoolfusion page regularly by updating it daily with a little a post about what was done in class and what is to be done at home each night and over the course of the week. A blog would be a neat way to sort of address a lot of questions that pop up and I end up answering 10 different times through separate emails. I can also appreciate your apprehension with using this type of forum with your students based on the logistics behind securing the proper equipment and tools needed to ensure that ALL students are able to participate. There is also the issue of what students would get from it if they weren't entirely comfortable posting their thoughts to the world, and I can't help but think about the other end of the spectrum where you have students who will either use this as stage to involve their classmates in every issue they have going on in their lives(personal or petty) and those who may post things that are extremely sensitive or just not appropriate. Having to monitor and police the blog could become a full-time job in itself. I work with 11-12 year olds, so thinking about the worst possible outcome, which might just seem negative, unfortunately is my reality when doing anything "outside of the box".
What's so great about your blog, Laura, is your willingness to be open. At first, it is clear you hesitate to blog because of your preferred style of writing. As you continue on, however, you certainly bring up some topics to really ponder.
I, too, wonder how willing my students will be to blog so openly and personally. What we need to remember, however, is that so many of our kiddos have already thrown themselves full force into the world of social media. Maybe if we approach blogs with them from an educational standpoint, without the personal connection initially, they will get used to the format. Then, we can introduce gradual ways for our students to begin making blogs a personal journey. Just a thought!
I feel your pain. It is difficult to get into a computer lab at my school as well; there simply aren't enough of them or they are used for SOLs. I also struggle with the fact that some students do not have computer or internet access at home. Certainly, the lack of technology resources puts a damper on our desire to use blogs with our students. We just have to think creatively and keep a positive attitude -- kind of like, "if you build it, they will come." If your school has some sort of study hall or flex period like they have at my school, maybe students without computers at home can use the school's labs during that time.
First, Laura, thank you for sharing that link with us to your article about your rehabilitation. You are truly amazing and obviously have very big things still left to do on this earth! (Very cool that you used links in your blog which is one of the primary assets of blogging that Richardson brings up in his book.)
It would be interesting to approach your students to ask them (perhaps using a free Survey Monkey survey, either anonymous or with names included) what your students would actually think about blogging. Perhaps they are so used to being 'out there' in social media, as Leah mentioned, that this would be less discouraging for them, as Net Geners, than we imagine from our own perspectives.
Maybe with some creative direction, clear parameters and subtle control measures, you could keep dialogue going on topics in a positive and supportive atmosphere. Who knows? Maybe students would appreciate having an online forum where they could safely express themselves with peers because they knew there was a trusted adult mentor keeping track of things (unlike on the rest of social media).
It will be interesting to hear their thoughts.
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