So far in my high school life science classrooms I have not used blogs to enhance student course material. Instead, I have relied upon wikis exclusively. However, I am seeing now that blogs and wikis are both invaluable tools, but should be used for different purposes. In the past, I've assigned wikis to groups of students to post information and revise each other's work as part of research projects. An example of this is my first "wiki experience", a bioremediation project assigned to my 12th grade biotechnology students during my student-teaching (feel free to check it out).
While wikis are great for this type of group research assignment, blogs seem more suited for individual reflection of learning and for students to reflect and comment upon other students' thoughts and ideas. Honestly, I haven't even thought much about the value of "weblogs" until I read the information presented in the Richardson text, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. The first benefit that popped into my mind was that this could be very useful to incorporate literacy into my science classroom. This is something I focused on during a course I took on expanding students' literacy skills a few semesters ago.
The idea is to have students read non-fiction science novels (age-appropriate, of course, and hopefully not too dry as to not turn them off science) and complete reflections on their reading. However, it wasn't until I read Richardson that I realized the amazing benefits of having students post their reflections as blogs. First, now other students can read their reflections and post responses, not just me. Second, students can see all of their previous blogs (i.e. reflections) before they post their new ideas. And third, students are able to go back and comment on their own reflections as their ideas change as they move through the text.
Wikis are a great place for students to edit and expand upon each other's ideas and material, but blogs are useful for students to practice some reflection about the concepts they are learning. Using blogs, students can also post links to articles that relate to the concepts they are learning. They can also post reflections on how the content they are reading relates to content learned in class or from their own experiences.
I like the look of your blog first of all. the link to your student project is also impressive. I hope I can get to that point for my own math classes.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the blog is more of a place for reflection rather than a site of action which I feel the wiki is better suited. That is why I put more of a focus on feelings being shared on our math blog as opposed to just strategizing and demonstrating interesting ways to reach solutions.
I also feel it is important for students to write fluently when explaining a math concept. It is one of the major issues we face as educators today as we would all agree.
Honestly,just viewing your blog made me rethink some of my own designs so right there someone has left with something new. Good luck.
I think having students use blogs as reflections is a great idea. In addition to many of the reasons you listed, I think there are several others. First of all, blogs tend to be less formal than typing up and turning something in. Students are used to informal internet communication, and giving them this more relaxed and informal outlet is a great thing. The second reason stems from the first I just listed. I think giving students this forum in which to discuss and reflect will make doing the work less of a chore and a “have to” and turn it into more of a “want to.” We always discuss how to engage students and I think allowing them to communicate in different ways is an important step. There is a time and a place for formal writing, and while it is a skill that all students need, we do not need to enforce it all the time in every aspect of their academic lives.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great blog. I liked how you described the difference between the use of a blog vs. a wiki. It wasn't until I read this on your blog that I actully got and thus can assign my own students more appropriately. I also loved the idea of including a non fiction science novel and having the students blog about that. Maybe you can have them write a non fiction science short story and post that too. More grading for you but you'll get some good stories.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,
ReplyDeleteI am glad I read your blog. I looked over the wiki sites created by your students. This will be a terrific resource when I create my sample wiki pages. Thanks for sharing the link.
Jenny
Blog looks terrific!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing such cool things with your students. Thanks for sharing.
Cheshta