Why Use Blogs in the Classroom

• Blogging is one of the easiest ways to maintain a Web site, and to keep parents and students informed.
• Blogs allow teachers to edit a Web page without worrying about HTML coding and design issues.
• Research shows that blogging by students may have a very positive influence on achievement and higher-order thinking skills.
• Blogs provide teachers an easy way to keep tabs on student journaling.
• Blogs allow teachers to keep the Web-using community informed with classroom and school news.
• Research has uncovered examples where students who are normally quiet in classes flourish through electronic writing (blogging).
• Blogs allow teachers to link to Web resources for students’ homework and class work. Parents can also visit these sites to reinforce Internet-based content at home.
• Blogs allow “anytime learning” – Students and teachers have access to blogs wherever there is an Internet connection – not confined to the classroom.
• Blogs allow collaborative learning - Student to student, teacher to student and teacher to teacher.
• Blogs provide opportunities for feedback and potential scaffolding of new ideas for students and teachers. (Through the Comments option)
• Publishing students’ writing in a blog furnishes the student with an audience which often produces higher quality work than if only the teachers see it.
• According to Rebecca Blood, author of the Weblog Handbook, there are four benefits of student blogging:
  • The use of blogs helps students become subject-matter experts.
  • The use of blogs increases student interest and ownership in learning.
  • The use of blogs gives students legitimate chances to participate.
  • The use of blogs provides opportunities for diverse perspectives, both within and outside of the classroom.