Thursday, July 9, 2009
This year my students could not agree on anything. I teach fifth and sixth graders who really love to talk and love the computer. Whenever we had discussions they went on for hours. I think as for as my classroom, I would use my blog as a place for my students to make comments or to respond to daily questions. I would post daily questions or just ask for their opinion on content that we discussed. They could read what the the different comments and we would even talk about some in class. With the students being able to blog everyone would get a chance to say what they feel, and not just a few outspoken ones.
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Hello Shonda!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your students love a great debate. What about having your students do Philosophical Chairs? First, you can have the students vote on an interesting controversial issue either local or global. Your students can blog their opinions about the topic backed by research. Later, you can have an actual classroom Philosophical Chairs session or debate. After the debate, the students can blog their reflective thoughts about the debate’s success and/or how it could have been better. ~Megan
Thanks Megan. That sounds great. I think I may try that this up coming school year.
ReplyDeleteShonda, how would you handle cyber bullying? I don't think it would happen as much on a classroom blog as it does on other social networking sites, but the possibility is there.
ReplyDeleteI would guess one way to handle it is to approve all comments before they are published. If you find students engaging in bullying then you'd have to deal with whatever discipline you set forth. I just have concernes about that with my 4th graders. For the most part, I think they'd do really well, but it only takes one to ruin it for the rest of them, you know?
Hi Shonda,
ReplyDeleteI really like how you are going to move the classroom discussion into the 'virtual' world. I think that it's a great move because it does give the students a chance to be heard and maybe lead into other types of discussions. Out of curiosity, would you have 'out of classroom' discussions (e.g. you asking a question unrelated to the day's topic or whatever) or let the kids lead their own discussion? However you do it, it sounds great!
-Jessica
Hi Shonda,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea for how to use blogs effectively in the classroom. Class discussions can often be dominated by outspoken students. I think that this type of blogging experience would encourage the your more introverted students to speak their minds about the content they are learning in class. This would also allow you to filter through the comments they make and to choose which ones you believe are worthy of sharing. Would you use class time to allow students to post their comments, or would this be done at home on their own time? I know that I can't always assume that my students will have internet access outside of school, and therefore cannot make such assignments mandatory. I definitely think that students' commented should be reviewed before they are posted for all to see. I also think that this would be a great place for students to leave feedback about how well they think that the day's lesson went. I often ask my students what things they liked about a particular lesson and things they believe should have been done differently. Many students find it hard to offer constructive criticism face-to-face. Blogs can serve as the perfect tool for such students.
Shonda-
ReplyDeleteAMEN! This is an exemplary idea! I often have to end student conversations too because we need to move on. The blog would be a neat way for students to continue their conversations outside of school.
I also like how you're thinking about the "quiet kids".