Pros and Cons of Blogs in the Classroom

I chose to read to blog of Keller Leathers. I was surprised to see that Keller had also read my blog, however this made me nervous as I began to read. Keller and I are both from rural communities and had not the foggiest idea as to what a blog was. However I found blogging to be a very interesting and helpful tool.

As I started my adventure in blogging I was very insecure. I usually posted my blogs early and found it very helpful as to the comments that I received. However, I was called a nerd a time or two. Anyway I would say that just as receiving those comments helped by insecurities it should also help students with the same insecurities. But it could also be used in a negative way, like cyber bulling. Children are so cruel today they do not understand the damage that could be done even if it is just a "joke" as they like to say. A "joke" cause a 13 year old boy to kill himself.

As educators it is important to stay a grasp to technology, but at the same time boundaries should be explained. If bulling is not accepted in the classroom, then it surely should not be accepted through a classroom blog. In order for a blog to be effective comments should be monitored. This will stop negative comments before they ever are seen.

In the view of a parent, blogs can be very helpful. How many times has a child forgot a backpack, leading to a total panic attack. It would be simple if a blog was utilized in the classroom. The blog would contain homework information, up coming events and class activities. It would eliminate the backpack panic attack.

Students could even create there own blogs. This will allow them to express their interest about different things that they learned. It would help them to develop much needed creative writing and grammar skills. However, in a low socioeconomic society blogging for students would be limited to school. However limited I say let them learn where and while they can. Students should explore and learn all they can and if school is there exploring time, let them explore. That's what it's all about, seeing that expression of "wow I didn't know that".

In conclusion, I say BLOG ON!! (It's been fun!)