As you already know, I am currently using kidblog for student blogging. It is going really well... the students seem to really enjoy using kidblog to respond to literature, events in the news or assignments in class. Right now, we are blogging with a friend of mine who is a UN peacekeeper in Southern Sudan. Blogging has given us the opportunity to hear first hand her experiences in Southern Sudan with the Referendum vote.
My students enjoy the opportunity to not only read her blogs, but also interact and respond to each other's writing. As a teacher, I love blogging as a great opportunity for students to respond and comment on each other's writing in a "real" way. I have found that the students are going out of their way to blog on other issues and many want to post all their assignments as a blog (unfortunately, this gets in the way of how much space we have available at times... but we manage).
Blogging has also been a great opportunity for my EAL (English as an Additional Language) to communicate their ideas. At first some were somewhat self-conscious about their English, however, I gave them the opportunity to submit, I would correct or (indicate where corrections had to be made), then send back the post for them to correct. Most students appreciated the opportunity to make the corrections. As a matter of fact, I gave all my students the opportunity to make changes to their writing, based on my corrections or comments. This procedure has been a truly "authentic" way to get students to be aware of the importance of making corrections to ensure audience comprehension.
Every chance I get, I encourage my fellow colleagues to try blogging for their reader responses in class. Many say they don't have time... I have found that it takes just as long to correct and read assignments on paper.... and I appreciate how little paper is being used. Blogging really captures the students... yaaaaaaa!
Jennifer Stewart-Mitchell
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