While reading Read’s “Tapping into Students’ Motivation: Lessons from Young Adolescents’ Blogs,” I came across a list of possible Blogs that wouldn’t be blocked by our school’s amazingly effective filter. While I have a facebook account, I’m not comfortable accepting the many “freind” requests from students, because it would limit what I share with my other “friends.” However, this site allows us to create blogs designed specifically for our students, allowing me to share with them classroom assignments, upcoming activities, samples of my writing, appropriate pics of my activities, etc.
It's free with no advertising, open only to participants to whom you've given the access code, and content can be edited or deleted by the teacher.
Classmates can post responses in a threaded fashion so that all of the individual comments follow the piece to which they are responded.
I won't have to teach them how to use the site as many (most?) are quite comfortable in digital environments.
edublogs
Yet another option for blogging in the classroom. Edublogs boasts "Blogging for teachers and students, made easy."
Effortlessly create and manage students blogs
Packed with useful features and customizable themes
Ready made for podcasting, videos, photos and more
Step by step support with our helpful video tutorials
I toyed around with the site a little and found it to be user friendly with tutorials for dummies like me. Oh, and the header pic on my sample is of my three kids at the beach because I had to find a way to include my little ones.
P.S. While creating this post, I had to call my wife, who's been blogging for a few years now, for a little support.
Our conversation:
Me: Hello is this blog support?
Joy: Ha ha, yes what do you need.
Me: I uploaded a second pic after some text and it automatically moved it to the top.
Joy: Oh yeah, you have to upload all pics first, then include your text.
Me: Thanks Babe. As always appreciate your help.
Joy: (With an Indian accent) Thank you for calling Blog Support and have a nice day.
Intelligent, beautiful and funny. Love that gal.
Thanks for the props. I can't believe you posted that. The entire phone call was going to be with a funny accent, but I was at the park next to some other people. They were Indian, I think, so....
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