Blogging to Better Writing

Improving Writing Skills and Fostering Collaboration with Web 2.0 Tools

Rosalind M. Hardin, TeacherThe Potter’s House Christian AcademyMiddle School Language Arts & Media Specialist

• Blog is short for “weblog”

• Online journal

• Interactive

• Communication tool

• Collaboration facilitator

• A place to develop writing skills

What is a Blog?

• Internet access

• Parental permission

• Alternative assignments

• Online safety guidelines/training

• A blogging platform

• A rubric

What Do I Need to Blog?

• Internet access

• Searchable vs. private sites

• Comment settings

What Access is Involved?

• Static home page

• Posts

• Widgets

• Categories

• Tags

• Comment area

Anatomy of a Writer’s Blog

• The teacher must know everyone’s user name and

password at all times. No exceptions!

• Composing

• Post original student work

• Cite sources when applicable

• Comments

• No empty comments

• Stick to the issues! Constructive encouragement, not

conversations

What are the Rules?

• Learning Management Systems

• Feed manager ( example: Netvibes)

• Teacher site

• Teacher should always know students’ usernames and

passwords

• Option – Create student blog framework ahead of time

• Limit creativity (bells and whistles) initially to avoid increasing

the chance that the actual assignment will not get done

• Define infractions and consequences before beginning class

blogs

Managing the Blogosphere

• Hmmmmm…

• Your work is housed on someone else’s server.

• You are subject to their tech support limitations.

• You can only access your blog while connected to the Internet.

• Solutions

• Periodically print your work (to PDF to save paper).

• Test the site in different browsers to find which one cooperates

the most.

• Keep an open mind. Part of the fun is exploring with the

students and learning.

Things To Consider When Using Web 2.0

Tools

• What do we blog about?

• Writing prompts

• Journal entries go digital

• Work in progress option

• Paper first option

• Categories

Let’s Get to the Writing Already!!

• Two-fold rubric

• Define mastery at each level

• Clearly state expectations for writers and

commenters

Scoring Big

• Create the main class blog.

• Set the parameters for the class blog and student blogs.

• Assign usernames and passwords for the students.

• Familiarize the students with the blogging interface:

• Discuss online safety.

• Discuss blogging rules and consequences.

• Demonstrate customizations and allow time for the students

to enhance their blogs.

• Have students create an Introduction post to practice posting

and giving/receiving comments.

• Write, read, comment, grow!

How do I set up blogging for my students?

• Kidblog – http://kidblog.org/home

• Weebly for Education - http://education.weebly.com/

• http://education.weebly.com (teachers)

http://students.weebly.com (student login page)

• Weebly Help Center - http://hc.weebly.com/hc/en-us

• Wordpress - https://wordpress.com/

• Online Learning Guide - https://learn.wordpress.com/

• Netvibes - http://netvibes.com

• Setting up Netvibes for your class -

http://www.thethinkingstick.com/netvibes-com-in-the-

classroom/

• Sample Netvibes Dashboard -

http://www.netvibes.com/classroom234#Grade_2

Blogging Resources