Blogs can be a very useful tool in the classroom. When given the chance, many students who are too shy to contribute to a class discussion will post their thought out in cyberspace for people to read. This faceless environment can be less intimidating to some students and may spur them to produce some thought provoking comments.
Initially, I would say that blogs would be great for simulation and problem solving. The students could use their blogs to post their solutions. Then the class could comment on the solutions. This would help students develop analysis skills.
Another strategy I think would work well would be the use of metaphors. Students could be given the task of creating new metaphors for concepts covered in class. An example would be the flow of electricity being compared to the flow of water. What would be a better metaphor that would project the same meaning? Blog posts and comments could help a student (or even better, a group) develop a metaphor that accurately depicts the flow of electrons from one point to another.
While I think these strategies would work well with a blog, I find scaffolding a little harder to work with. I admit I am learning about blogs, but I tend to view them as the end product. Since it is the end product, I think it would be pretty difficult to guild the learner through the blog.
I see blogs being used in my class to further explore the concepts that we are covering. I'd like the students to use blogs to go beyond what the book is covering. Instead of looking at what magnets are, have students blog about different ways that magnets are used in medicine. To further add credit, have them refer to sites where they have found additional information for their blog.
As for the bonus question: Using YouTube to solve a problem. I recently watched a video at a conference of a kid asking the world for help in starting a fire with a bow drill. In using a web 2.0 element like YouTube, the student's audience is literally now the world. The conference mentioned that the student had over 300 hits from all over the globe. If used properly a tool like this could greatly benefit the student...and the teacher.
I really like how you would have students take ownership and cover more than the topic at hand. I think blogs are a great way to bring outside resources, especially Internet-based, into the discussion.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using a blog to give more reserved students a chance to be heard in class. I think technology has really helped students become more comfortable in a classroom setting.
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