Back to Basics – 5 Reasons Teachers Need to Blog
Teaching in the information age requires that teachers stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technology, or they risk being left out of the loop. Using the internet and staying informed via the information superhighway should by now be a part of your daily routine. Email has long since replaced the paper memo in your mailbox, and every classroom should have at least one computer, if not many more.
Students in this day and age are more than likely far more technologically advanced than their predecessors, and therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we use a medium than they are familiar with in order to convey information. Rather than utilizing social media as a means to an end, however, creating a class blog allows you to be in control of the flow of information and stay in touch with students without invading their space.
Highlight Major Points of Lessons
In the form of a daily recap, teachers can use blogs to record the day’s events so that students can revisit the lesson or topics covered in class. This is not to say that you must write out the entire lesson by any means. Write out key points and objectives so that students can refresh their memories or see what they missed if they were absent.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Get students involved outside of class by offering extra credit to those who participate in online discussions. Perhaps hidden information or a trivia question of the day is a good way to keep student traffic flowing toward your site. Opening up discussion forums on your blog and monitoring what students are saying is a great way to get feedback on your lessons and subject matter as well.
Provide Presentations and Notes
If you regularly use technology in your lessons, posting these files for download on your blog is an excellent resource for students. Allowing students to access and download notes and Power Point presentations gives them an edge when it comes to studying for your class. Additionally, doing this helps cut down on copies and class time used for arbitrarily copying down notes.
Open Up Communication
In addition to providing a forum where students can communicate with one another regarding your course, you are also opening up valuable lines of communication between them and yourself. It is a great way to keep conversations going regarding assignments, grades, and tutoring opportunities as well.
Connect Students with Resources
You can enrich your students’ experience with your subject matter by providing them with links to other sites that reinforce the information they are receiving in your class. Virtual field trips, interactive games, and informational and instructional videos are among the things you can link your blog to. Let your students take ownership of their education by finding out more about a topic on their own with a little guidance from your blog.
By-line:
This article is contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who regularly writes on Become a teacher in California. She invites your questions at her personal email address: kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com.
9 comments October 7th, 2008
