Week 3 - Blogs

This week's task was to read more into the features of a blog, critically reflect on the teaching and learning and how it could be used in the classroom. The technical features of a blog that I found to be the most interesting, were how you could use so many different links on the one page. You could locate specific posts by searching for the title, the date or month it was posted, the type of category the blog came under and many other additional links as well. Only you as the author have the power to edit any information on the blog and customising your page can be done also. A blog does not just have to be written text, there can be videos, images and links embedded onto your blog. However, you will need to reference any material you use on your blog to avoid plagiarism. This is my first time using a blog and I like all of the features about them and how they can assist in students sharing information to scaffold their learning. My favourite idea for it being used in the classroom was the ‘Expert Jigsaw’. Giving each child an individual task in the group and eventually posting it on the blog to create a group assignment, I thought was excellent.

SUBSTITUTION:

The use of a Blog is to encourage students to self-reflect and share with their peers. It also encourages students to write and record their learning journey.

AUGMENTATION:

There can be many uses for a blog in the classroom. Instead of using homework books and folders, students could post their homework on their blog, showing the date it was posted and their progress. The teacher could leave a comment to give positive feedback and acknowledge any errors.

MODIFICATION:

Using blogs in the classroom would be an easy way for the teacher to assess the students. Using an online blog is any easy way for a teacher to access a student’s work. Rather than a teacher having to lug all of the student’s book work home during the week and in the holidays.

REDEFINITION:

A blog can be used to help and support each student. There are many strategies that help scaffold a child’s learning that are used in the classroom. These types of strategies can also be used in a blog to help students critically reflect more effectively. These include using Edward De Bono’s hats, PMI Chart, Y Chart, T Chart, SWOT and many more. It’s the sharing of information and seeing the views of other students, is what guides each child to figure out how they feel on the topic, and then posting it on a blog for other students to see.