Blogging Applications

In his book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, Will Richardson emphasizes that through the process of blogging ". . . students are learning to read more critically, think about that reading more analytically, and write more clearly" (2009, p. 20). With this in mind, I think that bookblogs would provide a powerful forum for my 8th grade English students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read and respond to books through blogging. Instead of the traditional structure and role assignments of literature circles, bookblogs could be more student-directed, perhaps more akin to the book clubs that many adults enjoy.

At the beginning of each chapter, I could post one discussion question to build interest and activate prior knowledge. After reading the chapter, however, the students themselves could create and post discussion questions that not only revolve around personal responses and connections but also incorporate literary elements such as characterization, themes, author's craft, etc.

When responding to one another's posts, students will reshape and add to their understanding not only of an in-depth reading of a piece of literature but also their understanding of literary elements, all while they construct meaning with other readers. Students would be required to adhere to a reading and posting schedule, and then collaborate at the end of the book to create an extended written and artistic response.

Ultimately, I think there are many reasons for using blogs in the classroom. For one thing, students are attracted and motivated by technology, and they have a tendency to think more critically and express themselves more clearly when responding to an authentic audience. Further, blogging is a constructivist tool that enables students to direct and shape their own learning, and perhaps even more importantly, blogging allows for collaboration beyond the classroom walls, as "blogs can teach students new literacies they will need to function in an ever expanding information society" (Richardson, 2009, p. 28).

Reference
Richardson, W. (2009). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Pwerful Web Tools for
Classrooms: second edition. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press