Three Ways I Can Use Blogs in Teaching/Learning

1.) Teaching Students How to Blog: I think this would be a great way for younger students to learn that blogging can be (and is) educational. I say "younger" students because I think it is possible that "older" students will have already created blogs, thus describing their educational use and making the transition should be easier. Specifically, I have an idea that would help younger students learn about a.) blogging b.) compose a written assignment, and c.) practice use of English. For example, I could give the students a topic for an entire week, i.e. Describing your walk/bus ride home! - these blogs would consist of new vocabulary, comparisons same as, different than, bigger than, smaller than...etc... The next week students could choose their own topic each evening. I could set a time limit...write at least 10 sentences and respond to 1 other student. This would hit personal and creativity as well as incorporate the necessities. Of course, I would have to make sure all students have access to a computer and the proper permissions have been handled.

2.) Posting Class-Related Information: I have learned how helpful it is in classes such as this one. Gone are the days of students saying I forgot what you said or I was sick and had no one who could give me the assignment. In the same vein, as a teacher I could post some detailed directions and how-to's for students to access (much like the syllabus for LAI 684). There is always a student who was not bold enough/too timid to ask in class but can benefit from a recap.

3.) Discussing Activities: I really like the idea about students discussing daily activities they did in class and telling their ideas, likes, dislikes, what they did/did not understand. I think this would be extremely helpful to someone like me who has never taught before...I will take any type of "observation" I can get in order to monitor my teaching. Reading what students feel will be one way I can monitor what I do and adjust my teaching style.

4.) The Engish Major in Me!: I also liked the ideas of creating an On-line book club or Literature circle. These are certainly in depth ways of ESL students "practicing" their new language in the written form and/or reflecting on what they are reading. Reading is soooo important and just not done enough in free time. Using a blog as an On-line book club could facilitate some much needed READING! Depending on and adjusting to the level could allow me as the teacher to pose some critical thinking questions. This would also provide a snapshot to me as to what my students understand (or really do not but they do not realize they are lost!)

The possibilities are endless but these are just a few I think I could incorporate after reading the Richardson book.