Lay the Groundwork
It may seem a pain, but it’s worth it!
As you consider trying a class blog, ask your principal or supervisor if district policies allow a class blog with certain limitations (and what limitations, if any, would be required for you to have a blog). Different schools interpret recent U.S. laws requiring archives of student computer activity with varying degrees of stringency, so no two schools will have the exact same policy. Some may ask you to use only a “gated” blog visible to members only. Some may allow fully public blogs. Don't be afraid to ask!
Roll over the topics at the left for the details or skip to the tools to get started.
Lay the Groundwork
It may seem a pain, but it’s worth it!
As you consider trying a class blog, ask your principal or supervisor if district policies allow a “gated” class blog with the stipulations listed here (and which of these, if any, would be required for you to have a blog). Different schools interpret recent U.S. laws requiring archives of activities done on school computers with varying degrees of stringency, so no two schools will have the exact same policy. Don't be afraid to try!
Roll over the topics at the left for the details or skip to the tools to get started.
What's all the worry?
We have listed a "worst case" scenario that covers just about any administrative concern regarding blogs. Most schools will not require all of the items below. You, as the teacher, will have to decide how many safety precautions you want to take above what your school requires. TeachersFirst is simply listing the options to make you aware of different approaches.
The principal may or may not be familiar with the district's Acceptable Use Policy and may send you to another administrator. Be persistent, whether you are the first teacher asking about blogs or the fifty-first. It IS worth it!
What do I ask, exactly?
May I set up a "gated" class blog under these conditions?
- principal is aware of the blog
- parent permission for students to participate in the blog
- posting/commenting is monitored and approved by the teacher
- the blog is "gated," i.e. visible ONLY to members with the password (students/parents/admin)
- the blog is visible to anyone but comments are limited to members
- the blog is visible and can receive moderated comments from the public
- no actual student names are visible (uses initials or pseudonyms)
- no student has an identifiable profile
- no recognizable student images are on the blog
- students must read and sign a blog user agreement
- students must sign the district Acceptable Use Policy and recognize its applicability to using the blog, even when they use it from home
- consequences for misuse of the blog are spelled out in advance and administered through the school’s student disciplinary system
- the blog is hosted on a reputable, established web site
- the district internet filtering does not block the chosen blogging tool
Check out some examples:
Kindergarten blog with videos and quotes from kids
Kindergarten blog post of nursery rhyme Olympics videos
1st grade class collaborates with schools in other places
3rd grade class with a blog and some podcasts of stories and more
3rd grade class blog with many widgets, a podcast and embedded calendar
3rd/4th grade class blog collaborates with other blogging classes
4th grade classroom shares their biography museum (and other projects!) by elementary students
6th grade class shares projects, collaboration, more
6th grade teacher shares a daily prompt/activity for comments
7th grade English/Language Arts class responds to prompts and activities
Student blog: Civil War Sallie
8th grade student blog shares challenges, writing, and thinking
8th grade math class shares problems, daily scribe notes, challenges, projects
Grade ? Social Voice blog shares student voices and thoughts. OPEN for public comments
9th grade English blog
HS biology blog –class contributions by teacher and students
10th grade World History blog with deep-thinking student posts
AP History class blog shares assignments and links, but also discussions
college physics student blogs from a summer research project (oldie but goodie)
Annual Edublogger Awards; Check out class, student, and teacher blogs. Nominate your favorites and VOTE!
Then What?
Still wondering about ideas for ways to use blogs in your classroom?
Check out some ideas and more ideas.
I read everything. Now take me to the blogging tools.
