My high school students read below grade level and have not passed the state test required for graduation. We use a computer reading program called "Jamestown" in my reading classes. I believe blogging would benefit my students and help them express themselves. One thing I find that most of these students have in common is that they do not take their time. They rush through their reading and writing assignments. I believe that if they knew that other students would be reading their responses they would put more effort in to their writing and this would improve their reading comprehension and other skills necessary to graduate. I think a great way to use blogs in reading would be to have my reading students post reading comprehension responses to a blog and their classmates would have to read, check and respond. I would also have the students work in groups and answer questions, then they would have to check other groups work. All together the questions and answers could be a study guide for a test. I think this would be great for many reading and writing skills.
As computers are used more, all students would benefit from blogging and the reality that what you put on the web is viewed by everyone.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Mary,
ReplyDeleteIn your reading class blog, you can also talk about the author and invite the author to be a part of your discussions. In order to achieve this, you can research the author's online presence and promote a direct connection with your class. You can ask the author to take a look at your blog and may be encourage him/her to be a part of it.
Elif
Mary,
ReplyDeleteFrom the writings I encounter, many school districts have strict policies in relation to blogging. May I ask what policies or restrictions could possibly interfere with your plans in your circumstances? If there are challenges for you, would your administration be supportive, or would they provide resistance which would need to be overcome? I am confident you would have a very good chance of overcoming administrative resistance for you make a strong case. This activity would help your students improve their performance. However, policies and restrictions on content could pose a problem.
I would like to end by commenting on your page, it reminds me of fresh ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Ken
Ken, Until recently, we had policies against teacher run blogs, more for liability purposes. Now after some training teachers are allowed to have blogs, but they are monitored and students may only post after teacher approval. The written word is powerful and people often find negative connotations where none are meant, it could be precarious for teachers. I personally hate writing emails to parents for that reason. I believe that with careful editing on my part, a class blog would be successful.
ReplyDeleteElif, That is a great idea. I actually have an author/book in mind, Ted Simmons. He visited my class last year. He publishes his own books and my students like his writing style. I like that he uses controversial topics and unusual settings like Kuwait.
ReplyDeleteMary - you mentioned that the students hurry through their assignments. Any thoughts on how that aspect could be addressed? What about a point system for fewest mistakes? Maybe there is a reward of some type they would enjoy.
ReplyDelete