
Besides the typical use of the blog to have students comment on a particular article or writing prompt, I have linked it with other webpages such as voicethread.com allowing students to contribute to something traditionally done with blogs, yet adding their voice to augment the conditions in which they use Blogs.
In teaching English as a Second Language I have great use for blogs in utilizing computers and the Internet to capture my student’s interest toward developing more their writing skills in English. Similar to forums it can also allow the interaction of opinions and ideas, but not like the social network spaces that allow instant messaging. With blogs, you would post and wait for a response by checking in later. Another aspect of blogs is for students to display their talents for fellow classmates to comment on, hopefully with respect and positive feedback.
When teaching, university students in another country, English as a Second language limits my ability to emphasis the importance of the language if not practiced out of the classroom. With students using blogs at home it is like an extension of my teaching practice to reinforce and encourage continued use even at home.
Which makes it vital tool for teachers. Would you agree? How have you enhanced your blog?
I think your idea of having the blog as another language enforcer to your second language students is wonderful. I think allowing for my students in the fourth grade that are second language learners to use the blog as reinforcer and extra practice at home. I agree that most second languages are not used as much as they could be when a student is at home.
ReplyDeleteUsing blogs with second language learners is a great idea. One challenge I can foresee is how a teacher would grade these blogs when it comes to spelling and grammar. Do you print out blogs and make comments and then go over them with students? How do you go about getting students to see mistakes they have made? My experience has been that students still make basic spelling and grammar mistakes when they are using programs that have spell check. Do you find this as well?
ReplyDeleteHello All, Thank you for your comments and questions.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to checking spelling and grammar, I don´t really, it is more for encouraging them to practice at first and with future blog post be stricter. Since I am not teaching writing, specifically, I focus more on oral and reinforce not using spell check, but re-reading their work.