- Will this create more work for me?
- What about privacy issues?
- What's a "NING"?
- How can Technology (Specialist) staff be involved with blogging?
- How can having 50,000 hits to your classroom blog help improve your students academically?
As you can see, I had some interesting conversations with fellow colleagues and at the end of the session, I could sense that some teachers were skeptical about this whole blogging business. I kindly re-iterated to everyone that blogging isn't everyone's cup of tea and that's alright. One thing I didn't want to do was force my colleagues to create a classroom blog but rather, to offer them an insight into how they could use this as an engaged learning tool in their classroom.
A teacher suggested that we trial mountain group (Syndicate, etc) blogging. Our principal supports this idea and suggests that we trial this and report back to the rest of the staff at the end of the term.
The Plan for MOUNTAIN GROUP BLOGGING
Here at Peachgrove Intermediate, we operate by mountain groups which consists of 5-6 classrooms. Each class already has "ICT Consultants". They are trained to photocopy work for teachers, set up data projectors, turn on computers etc.
The plan is to have each classroom provide 2 responsible students - an ICT consultant and a blog editor. I will train these students to create, update and upload content to their MOUNTAIN GROUP BLOG. This could be quality work that they are doing in class or within their mountain group. After they have completed their blog post, it is to be saved as a draft copy. The classroom teacher will then do a final edit and inspection before the blog post is published.
What do you think of this idea - any suggestions?
The objective of this PD was to share my journey with others and to educate teachers that blogging can be a resourceful tool within and beyond classroom walls.
I would like to give a BIG shout out to Blogging GURU Allanah King. Thank you for giving up your time and sharing your blogging experiences. Teachers were buzzing when you came up on the screen. It was just a pity that there was a long delay - it was like watching a kung fu movie with no sub-titles!
Thanks everyone for commenting.
3 comments:
At least we got the Skype going. Nothing worse than when the technology lets you down in those pressure type situations. We are usually pretty good since we are on the Loop but it can be a bit hit and miss really.
Nice that student Alex was able to chip in with her bit- authentically in the classroom with messy desk in the background. Hoe you were able to hear me OK. Couldn't hear you too well so felt like I was talking to myself a little bit.
Glad to be of help.
Cheers
AK
Sounds like you are doing a fabulous job in working with these teachers. They are lucky to have such a strong guide in this journey. I think that having a group blog is a fabulous idea. It seems like a good way of introducing blogging and allowing the students to be involved in something they may not be involved in if the teacher was left to create a blog independently.
Amanda
Keep it up Haami good things take time. You have some issues around access that you need to deal with but with technology getting cheaper and hopefully better access to the internet on the horizon they will sort themselves. Teachers will have enjoyed what you showed them and will be putting their feet in the water before you know it. But wow your blog is engaging students already and getting them thinking.
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