The Use of Blogs
The use of social media in classrooms has become more common for all grades. When we think of social media many think of different sites such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter. These are very popular apps and website that are used by people in our society. There are many different ways to incorporate social media into a classroom and not use the above mentioned programs. The thought of using social media in the classroom can be scary. As the video showed there are fun ways to incorporate social media into the classroom and it can start at a very young age.
One piece of social media that can be brought into the classroom is the use of blogs. Teachers can do so much with blogs. They can have students work on blogs to do different projects or even use them as their writing journals. Teaching students to write online brings them into the 21st century. Blogs can be used even in kindergarten. Teachers can have students take pictures of their work and help the students to place them on their blog. Using blogs is a great way to help the students keep a portfolio. Parents are able to see their children's work throughout the year instead of waiting for conferences.
Blogs are a place were students can write their thoughts and publish them. When using the blog students are able to go on and help students edit, revise and re-write all within the blog.
Along with helping students write through a blog, it also helps them increase their literacy skills. When students go in and read other blogs especially those of their peers, it works on their reading skills. Teachers can also provide the classroom with a blog and there the teacher can publish announcements to the students, assignments, and the students can work from the classroom blog.
Blogs are a great tool to use in the classroom for so many reasons. Throughout this blog you will learn about different social media tools that can be incorporated into classrooms.
References:
Using Social Media in the Classroom, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riZStaz8Rno
Gardner, T., Strategy Guide: Teaching With Blogs. Teaching with Technology. http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/teaching-with-blogs-30108.html
Why Blogging is So Valuable in the Elementary Classroom. (August 4, 2014). http://alearninglifeforme.edublogs.org/2014/08/04/why-blogging-is-so-valuable-in-the-elementary-classroom/
McMeans, A., Incorporating Social Media in the Classroom. Project Innovation, Inc. Athens, Alabama.
