Faltering First Steps

[Lauralynn Stefureak]

Sat down this morning to take my all important First Steps and create Blog sites for my English classes (with it all planned out on paper, of course)...only to promptly fall flat on my face when I discovered that the website had been blocked! It figures. I am not giving up, though...just gives me a bit more time to plan on paper.

[Julie Lindsay]

Lauralynn, thanks for sharing your thoughts and frustrations with us. What is that old saying, 'Never work with animals and children and technology at QA?'.......just joking! Hang in there....the rest of us are trying to as well. Despite some setbacks i can assure you when it does work the results can be magic in the classroom.

[Peter Westall]

...out of curiosity, which website were you planning to access, Lauralynn?
For what it may be worth...I use David Warlick's "classblogmeister.com" which was the way to get around our network administrator.
I have decided it isn't as smart-looking as others but does provide good teacher control for my G4/Y5 users as I get them started.

They're not firing with the enthusiasm that I had hoped for...but I am seeing a bit more activity, so maybe, it's warming up.
The editing and spelling is ATROCIOUS - and leaves me in despair that I have taught them everything I know....and they still know nothing.

[Lauralynn Stefureak]

I followed the lead of another English teacher who started a Blog with one of his senior classes this year...eblogger.com...simply because I didn't know where else to start! The Grade 11's are moving into the idea slowly and many are rather shy. As one young lady pointed out, putting your thoughts and opinions out for all to see can be a bit daunting...and make you think twice about what you are saying. A good lesson in itself.
I believe I will try your website with my Grade 9's. Not only do I need the practice setting these up, but then will be able to evaluate one against the other to see what works best with my programs. Thank you!
I am amazed that you are doing this with such young children...but rest assured, their spelling and grammar doesn't get much better as they get older...my 11's have to be reminded that I don't understand SMS / text slang!

[Sam Liberto]

Lauralynn,

We run into this all the time in class. My students just log into their Google account at Google.com and then click on Blogger and it takes them there unblocked.

[Lauralynn Stefureak]

Thanks for the tip, I will pass this on to my classes as they mostly respond to the Blog outside of lesson time.

[Beverley Stubbs]

Hi Lauralynn, I hope you managed to create the sites for your students. How about an update on how it went.... successes and challenges. There are people close by who are willing to support your efforts.

[Lauralynn Stefureak]

Hi Beverley, would you like me to sign you on to our Blog? Then you can see (and read) for yourself! They are a bit slow, but it is coming along. For some, it is their first Blog attempt...so we are all taking baby steps together.

[Beverley Stubbs]

Hi Lauralynn,

I'd love to read their posts. Please sign me up!

[Bron Narsiman]

Hi Julie
My name is Bron - from ISKL, I met Julie and some of your colleagues at ASB in Mumbai.
My advice mirrors Julie and Peter's, technical issues do happen - for me it has been blocked sites and bandwidtih issues - that is, internet connects that should be extremely fast are really slow, ends up frustrating the students and stressing me. Persevere , the engagement , enthusiasm and collaboration of students is well worth it!
Cheers
Bron

[Lauralynn Stefureak]

Thank you for your words of support. My Grade 11 class is becoming more conscious of what they write, aware that others will read their words in black and white...this has given them pause for thought. A bit of a valuable lesson.
I am at peace with taking baby steps, and will be happy to see 3 classes Blogging regularly by year end!

[Peter Westall]

How about a link Lauralynn?
Would love to have a look to see what your students are writing about. Although I work with younger ones at the moment there is always space to learn - adapt and think about what I may be able to do.
Started some little Year 3's (your Grade2) and they were Pros! In a flash there were some posts made. The Class Teacher was more apprehensive than the ankle-biters! During this week I'll have older students leave some comments as I think that is where there is a great stimulus. Writing for an audience....and hey! as I was talking to the Year 3's suddenly we had had 73 reads!
Someone out there is watching....and reading.
Which is why I'd like to help you out and perhaps have a read.
After all, I've got nothing else to do!

[Lauralynn Stefureak]

We are experiencing some growing pains...both my senior students and I! While they are enthusiastic about the idea, and their contributions have been great so far...the heavy course load of IB Higher Level English (and other subjects) has been getting in the way. Formal assessments are taking precedence over contributing. From their point of view, it is all about grades...and there is no "grade" for the Blog. I appreciate their frankness as it is giving me another perspective...and forcing me to "re-think" how the Blog can be used next year. I don't want to give up on it and neither do they, but we have to somehow increase the relevance in terms of grading at the senior level.

I am also finding that Blogging slips too easily to the bottom of the "To Do" list...as "graded" assessments move up. The question remains...how to fit Blogging into our school's Language A1 curriculum? Do you use your Blogs as a form of assessment? Are there any teachers in your Senior school who use Blogs that way?