I've recently taken a class on blogging and have found it to be an interesting prospect for education. My district is investigating the concept and I thought that this wiki would be a good place to brainstorm the answers to some of their questions. I appreciate any input you may have.

1. What educational value do we see in blogs?

As a teacher, blogging could be used as a way to provide educational content, leave announcements and information for students, parents, or the community, start a reading list or links to educational websites, and give students ideas for how to study. You are limited only by your own imagination. Students can use blogs in educational ways too. Blogs provide a way of journaling or taking notes, sharing resources with eachother, or posting and modifying assignments.

2. Do we want students to Blog? Do we want teachers and principals to blog?

Students are going to blog if they don't already. MySpace is an example. I think we have the responsibility to teach them how to use it for educational and professional purposes, not just for fun. We also need to teach them to use it carefully because once it's on the web it's available for anyone to see now and in the future. I think there is a ton of valuable information and networking available through blogs. Teachers and principals can use it as a way of connecting with other experts in their profession, for professional development, and as a way to research specific topics of interest.

3. How can we moderate Blogs so we have some control in preventing inappropriate content from appearing online?

Blogs can be set up so that the user has to be given permission to leave a comment and the comment can be approved or rejected prior to displaying it.

4. Should we have a district identified blogging site to be able to support the creation of blogs?

I don't think it's necessary. There are a variety of blogs out there and each person will have a preference for which they choose to use. By allowing choice, we also give our students opportunities to explore the way each are set up rather then simply giving them a one-sided view.

5. What concepts about personal safety and the internet could we teach through student blogging?

Blogging is a way to start discussion on a topic, provide additonal resources, and can provide an avenue for people to share their experiences. I think it would be pretty powerful if a student has a specific experience they could share with other in the class. It also gives a concrete example of how what you post online is available for others to see. Your life isn't private online. On the other hand, it can also give us the opportunity to show our students that many sites have features that allow privatization and that using those features may be in their best interests.

6. How and where can blogging enhance our writing curriculum?

I think students may be a little more careful in their writing (content, spelling, grammar) if they know it's going to be online for others to see, rather than just the teacher reading it. It gives the opportunity for students to become experts in an area and share their views with the class in a way that they may be more comfortable with versus standing in front of the class. It also gives them an experience that they can use in the future and in ways that furthur their own interests.

7. What student writing behaviors and procedures do we need in place to be successful with this technology?

I think the teacher needs to talk with the class about writing professionally and using proper english versus the shortcuts and slang they may use in email. It may be useful to show them an example of a blog in which the person has spelling mistakes and incorrect use of words. Those blogs don't seem nearly as credible as ones where the writer sounds professional and uses proper grammar. If you want people to listen to what you have to say and if you want to be an expert on a topic, your writing behavior and style is very important.