The Problem
In a previous district, I got my hand slapped for encouraging third graders to blog (using Kidblog, which was free at the time). The given rationale behind the hand slapping was something to the effect of, “These kids have trouble writing, and you want them to blog?!?”
So, what comes first, the writing or the blogging?…In other words, should students have to master the basics before they are allowed to blog? Or, can they learn to write through blogging?
The Solution
In my mind, the answer, which is the latter, is quite clear…
Withholding blogging from students who are learning or struggling to write is equivalent to saying, “It is a privilege to be taught in an exciting, authentic way.”
Seriously. Anyone can blog, including my adorable 3-year-old nephew, Nolan. It’s all a matter of how much adult assistance is needed, and the process may look different from one classroom/grade level to the next. Think gradual release…For example, primary level students can work with their teacher to create a whole class blog, which is commented on by a classroom from across the district doing the same. Then, as students get older (around second or third grade), they can start to create their own individual blogs, which would obviously come with an increase in expectations and possible frequency of use. (Another potential shift can be made to utilizing your blogging platform – WordPress, Blogger, Kidblog, Seesaw, etc. – for student portfolios.)
Also, while I am normally not a fan of using technology just for the sake of student engagement, it is important to note that blogging offers students a whole lot more than being able to capture their attention. Out of the countless advantages, here are a select handful:
- Students learn from one another by reading and commenting on each other’s posts.
- They can access and work on blogs from wherever/whenever.
- They can leverage the same platforms used by professional writers.
- Students sharing/promoting their work is a natural extension of blogging, which is a vital skill in and of itself.
- As I asked in a previous post, “Why write for your teacher when you can publish for the world?”
- Bottom line…Most of us are more highly motivated when our work is made public.
In the End
There is a teacher somewhere who is teaching the same grade level as you, with “lower” kids, and student blogging has been made a reality in her classroom.
So, let’s go from, “The kids I have couldn’t blog!” to, “I know my students would love this! How can I make it work?”
What is the role of blogging in your classroom? How can we make blogging work for students who are learning or struggling to write?
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Awesome Ross! I have been supporting a class of first grade learners share their ideas through blogging using Blogger Jr. It was a bit of a struggle getting them all started, but it has become a time the writers love. They say, “can I take a picture of that so I can blog about it?” or “We should blog about that!” throughout the day. It’s not about the age or grade level, it’s about the audience and connection.
Thanks, Mike! I am not familiar with Blogger Jr., and I would love to take a look at some of the blogs on which your first graders are working.
Great insight and advice, Ross!! Blogging in education is so important in my opinion. And I think it has to start with us, the teachers. When we blog we see the value in it, we can then better see the value it can have in our student’s lives. We have to model the way. I do know teachers who have their students blogging and they don’t blog themselves and that’s ok. At least they’re giving their kids the opportunity. I also think though that when the teachers themselves blog, it brings a different depth to the experience. Could mean having students blog more long-term vs a one time event. Thanks again for your post! Loved it.
Thanks, Maria! You make some great points. As a teacher, I did not think blogging was a non-negotiable, but it definitely helped in modeling best practice for my students. Also, since leaving the classroom, I have started to blog a lot more. As a result, I can definitely say I am now better “qualified” to facilitate student blogging.
I’m not in the classroom anymore, but I have blogged with my students in the past, and I am here to say I completely agree with you. Also, as a newbie blogger myself, I have learned so much about writing through blogging. My learning is happening in context and is “me” driven so it is meaningful and sticks. I struggle with grammar rules but because I want to share my ideas I am motivated to find out and learn about grammar. Why would it be any different for kids?! The writing and learning come THROUGH blogging!