Ways to Use Blogs in the Classroom

Here are some great ideas on how to incorporate blogs into any classroom.

1. Parent Involvement

Teachers can use blogs as a way to communciate inportant information about daily activities, upcoming events, test dates, parent forms, field trip information, daily homework assignments and projects that studetns will be engaging in. This is a great way to involve and inform parents without having to send home notices in hopes that parents will recieve the information. The classroom blog can be updated daily and available to parents at their convience.

2. Sharing Stories

Teachers can also use blogs as a way to post students' written stories. Once their stories are posted, the teacher can start a peer reivew process. Each student can read two or three stories and post their comments on the story read. After feedback is given, students can use the feedback to make any changes that are necessary. Blogs can also be used as a way to post short stories on family traditions and cultural backgrounds. This promotes cultural awareness amoung students and is another engaging way they can learn about cultures other than their own.

3. Reinforcement Material

Blogs can also be used as a way to reinforce material that has been taught in any subject area. Teachers can create blogs that have links to educational interactive websites that students can participate in or watch video clips on the subject matter that was taught. Additional infomation can be added in a blog that pertains to the topic learned or additional instruction can be given in a pod cast for students who are struggling with the material. This encourages extended learning and is a great way to keep students connected to learning outside the classroom.