When looking at what it would mean to blog with your middle school students, it is important to contemplate the types of guidelines that should be given to them before hand. In an age where almost every student has a Facebook or some form of social networking site, it is important for a teacher to stress the differences between these sites and a formal classroom blog.
Before simply presenting the class with a list of guidelines a discussion can occur to help the students understand the rules or even compile a list of student written rules. For a starting place a great list of guidelines for students appear on the website ISB Student Blogs.
A few important guidelines to include are:
1. Think about who could view this?
2. Be respectful to each other and to any potential readers -
think before you post.
3. Site any sources that you use in your blog posts.
4. Don't share personal information.
This list can easily be added to and elaborated on when introducing it to your classroom. These guidelines will also be what I will follow when writing this blog.
I think it is a really good idea to first have a discussion about what should be posted on a blog. This way the students will be more willing to be held to these standards. It is similar to the idea of having the students come up with classroom rules. I do like when a student adds a bit of their personal life to their blog. I don't want it compared to facebook, like you stated, but I do enjoy when a student adds a bit of personal flair to the posts. It helps me relate to them.
ReplyDeleteStressing that difference between a social networking site, such as Facebook, and a blog is essential, as you mentioned. I think that students would not realize this importance if you did not have a thorough discussion with them on the differences and the potential dangers. Telling students 'to think before you post' as you stated, will be something that should always stick with students and remain in the back of their minds. I agree with both of you when you say that a discussion with students would be helpful. This way, they are involved and you, as the teacher, is not doing all of the talking.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is really important for students to filter what they say on blogs. The students should realize that blogs are not the same as instant messaging or facebook. Your guidelines are also very similar to mine. I forgot to add the rule to site any sources. Middle schoolers often might try and look for an easy way out of an assignment and just copy and paste. This guideline is a good way to prevent that from happening.
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