As I read “Blogging for ELT”, I have learned Aaron Campbell (2003) has outlined three types of blogs for use with language classes: The Tutor Blog, the Class Blog and the Learner Blog. Each type has good points and weak points. In our course, we involve the Leaner Blog that students have their own blogs.
From my experience in Week 1, I think the Learner Blogs are strong tools that have students get to know each other and benefit the teacher in term of class building. And also, they encourage students to read and write a lot because they will want to read other blogs and write about themselves.
From my experience in Week 1, I think the Learner Blogs are strong tools that have students get to know each other and benefit the teacher in term of class building. And also, they encourage students to read and write a lot because they will want to read other blogs and write about themselves.
Since I created this blog, I have been enjoying viewing my classmates' blogs. It is fun to visit their blogs.Their blogs look wonderful and they are so different from each other. I haven't met them in person, but I get the feeling to see them because each blog seems to represent the person. I am motivated to read and write as I view other blogs.
Next, I have learned there are many reasons to use blogs for ELT. Among them, I am interested in the two reasons since I think of using blogs for my elementary school classes.
1. to guide students to online resources appropriate for their level.
2. to increase the sense of community in class.
Finally, what I have been concerned on using blogs are the two things. The first one is the issue of students’ ability to use blogs (linguistic ability, technical ability and social ability). The other is the privacy and security.
Next, I have learned there are many reasons to use blogs for ELT. Among them, I am interested in the two reasons since I think of using blogs for my elementary school classes.
1. to guide students to online resources appropriate for their level.
2. to increase the sense of community in class.
Finally, what I have been concerned on using blogs are the two things. The first one is the issue of students’ ability to use blogs (linguistic ability, technical ability and social ability). The other is the privacy and security.
As for the students’ ability, I think it is important to try to improve their abilities instead of giving up blogging. When I thought of my teaching, I first thought it was difficult to use blogs for young learners since they don’t have enough skill to read and write English and to access blogs by themselves. However, after reading this article and viewing other blogs, I found blogs can work for any students, even low proficiency learners if I have a clear objectives and I use their first language and the target language in an appropriate way. As for the technical skill, I found blogging is so easy that children will learn soon and even if not, their parents can support them. If the students enjoy the blog with their parents, it would be nice.
As for the privacy issue, in “Blogging for ELT”, Live Journal http://www.livejournal.com is recommended. Live Journal allows the setting up of a closed community. Parents might be nervous for their child's privacy.
Hi Tomoko,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reflections on blogs in educational settings. Computer literacy, as you say, is important in using blogs. With students that have lower computer skills I would use a tutor blog at first to get them accustomed to the idea because it's amazing to see what learners can teach each other. They seem to learn from their peers so much better than they learn from a teacher. What I would do to increase their computer skills is to form groups which have a students with better computer skills than the rest. It's only than when I am sure they can create their own blog, I would ask them to create their own blogs.
Nice to know you :)
Abdullah
Hi Abdullah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
That's a great idea to form groups with advance skilled students and low skilled students so that they teach each other.
Tomoko
Hi Tomoko,
ReplyDeleteUsing blogs in class is a great idea. Your students will enjoy making it. I'm sure they will learn a lot. Let me visit one of the blogs when it is ready!
Makiko
Hi Makiko,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.I would like to use a tutor blog at first and then try student's blogs. If you have a good idea, please share with me!
Tomoko