Blogging in the Classroom

Since beginning this class I have learned how to blog, gained blogging experience and even learned to love blogging! I regret not blogging in my internship about my class! I think in the classroom it's a great way for students to view their progress, parents to keep in touch with what's going on in the classroom, and for teachers to moderate. When I get my own classroom, I think I will definitely consider starting a class blog. I think the kids would be very excited and keep them more involved with the idea of community that I want to have in my classroom.

I can remember being in grade 5 and having a fantastic teacher. She was very technological and we LOVED IT! She even made a class website for us and we had a class mascot. We were called the 5B Chameleons. I can still remember that off the top of my head, so clearly it made quite an impact on me! I remember being so excited to go home and check the website to see if she updated pictures or to read what she would type about our school day. 

I think that having a class blog would cause students to build as a community and connect to the class outside of school at home. Obviously I would have to get the parents to sign consent to have photos online, or just not put the childrens' faces online. In today's world, most parents and even lots of kids are always "connect" to technology. I think parents would appreciate this because they could check the blog whenever they have time and check up on what their child is doing in school. I strongly agree with keeping communication with the parents so they know what is going on in their child's life. Blogging would be a great way to do that. 

After you've read this blog I have a few questions for you to comment to me about: 

1) Did you create a blog in your internship? If not, do you wish you could go back in time and make one with your class? 

2) Would you create a blog in your classroom this fall? 

3) What are the pros and cons of having a classroom blog that come to mind?