Chapter+2

__ Weblogs __Why do weblogs have such a huge potential in an educational setting? -easy -there is an audience for all ideas

What is a weblog? -an easily created, easily updateable Website that allows the author (authors) to publish instantly to the Internet from any Internet connection.

Feature Possibilities (see DAVID JAKE'S p.18) -reflections -links to other sites -ideas for lessons -responses to reading (readers become a part of the writing)

__ Weblogs In School __ Possibilities of Weblog Use -class portal to the online digital curriculum -publish curriculum -move toward a paper free environment as students could post their work -parent can view and become involved -create e-portfolio -use as collaborative space for students (in and out of district) -departmental use in districts -building block for school website

__ The Pedagogyof Weblogs __ -constructivist tool for learning -expand the walls of the classroom -archives the learnign that teachers and students do -supports different learning styles -enhances the development of expertise in a particular subject -teaches students the new literacies they will need to function in an ever expanding information society //Different types of weblog posts - see p.31 for a list//

Where to begin - -"provide or ask students to find interesting and relevant sites of information and teach them how to write about what they find useful about those sites." -recruit an audience to interact with students -bring experts into the classroom through a blog -ask other teachers, parents or other relevant people to become an audience

__ Blogging Across the Curriculum __ - blogging can teach critcal reading and writing skills, and it can lead to greater information management skills in all subject areas

__Blogs As Resources__ -be aware - "determining what to believe - or not to believe - is a matter of trust. You need to determine for yourself who to trust about what." (Downes, 2005)

__Classroom Uses of Weblogs__ (see the list of suggested activities on pp.38 and 39)

__ Standards For the English Language Arts __(see the 12 standards on pp. 40-41) -these standards encourage the development of curriculum and instruction that make productive use of emerging literacy abilities that children bring to school.

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