Rebel U 2012: Guest Post

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This a post in a series about Rebel U 2012.

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As part of the Rebel U 2012 evaluation, we asked participants if they were willing to be a guest blogger on our Godfrey-Lee Technology & Media blog.  We were not only interested in hearing (and sharing) first hand accounts from attendees and presenters, but also introducing some teachers to publicly posting content online for the first time and building an online presence.

Today's guest post is written by 5th Grade teacher, Olivia Alkema.  You can find Olivia online here.

In the fall , I attended Craig Steenstra’s (from KISD) session about kidblog.org.  His bit.ly for this session is bit.ly/rebelkid. This site will give you some additional details regarding the “how-to” as well as the “why”.  I was new to blogging, and new to using a student blogging site for instruction and assessment.  However, after attending this session, I just knew that I needed to try this.  Craig showed several ways that blogging met our new CCSS standards, as well as effectively and authentically integrating technology into instruction. 

I have now used kidblog.org consistently throughout this school year.  With some of our technology limitations, I have used it about 3 times a month, and mostly in ELA instruction.  Kidblog allows students to respond to text in new ways.  I have created posts and had students comment on set questions or prompts.  I have had students create new prompts, which are more lengthy entries.  I have used student created prompts as a response to text, summary, response to theme, opinion piece, or informational writing based on web-based inquiry.  Additionally, students are able to comment on other students’ prompts. This allows students to give authentic feedback to their peers. 

PROS:  The teacher has full control of what is published.  Teacher must approve all comments and posts before they are viewable.  Also, you must be a member of the class in order to view all posts and comments.  That creates a safe environment for the students to publish their work without worry of who may see it in the public.  It is very easy to set up and use.  If you are more proficient in Edmodo or Moodle, this program may not be a great option for you.  However, for a more elementary option, younger students will be able to navigate and create their own blog quite easily.  Also, if you are new to a web based student instructional program, this is very easy to navigate and learn.   Students also do not need to finish a post in one sitting.  The post can be saved as a draft, or be revised if it is “unapproved”, and published at a later time.  Since this is web-based, students can have access to this at home.  I have a few students who have enjoyed this so much they have created their own posts at home.   And lastly, students LOVE this.  They love to read each other’s posts and reading what others comment about it.

CONS:  Since this is a “new” way to write for many young students, it takes a long time for them to type out their responses. Also, the formatting tools may be distracting, as students often focus on creating colorful text in ornate fonts of varying sizes. After some practice, and some mini-lesson instruction of creating a professional product, students do begin to create quality writing.  The teacher approval interface is not incredibly user friendly.  You can filter your view to limit the student responses that you see, but there is not a way to organize, or file responses in folders or categories.  Craig gives some strategies in his bit.ly regarding this topic.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I can help you!