Making Connections With Blogging: Authentic Learning for Today's Classrooms

by Lisa Parisi, Brian Crosby

Some students find writing to be a chore. Others write to get an assignment done but don't put in any extra effort. There's nothing like blogging to change those attitudes! Students will experience a whole new level of engagement when they are writing for an audience, writing about topics they are interested in, and responding to their classmates' posts. Bring blogging into your classroom, and your students will not only be excited about their work, they will also develop their writing, reading comprehension, critical thinking, digital citizenship, and communication skills. Parisi and Crosby show you how you can use blogging with any student as a part of any curriculum-not as an add-on, but as an integrated part of your lessons. Learn step by step how to blog, get ideas for your curriculum area, and understand how to manage blogging in the classroom. Get your students blogging, and change how learning happens. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy and leadership for innovation. ISTE is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. Home of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS), the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology (CARET), and ISTE's annual conference (formerly known as the National Educational Computing Conference, or NECC), ISTE represents more than 100,000 professionals worldwide. We support our members with information, networking opportunities, and guidance as they face the challenge of transforming education. Some of the areas in which we publish
-Web. 2.0 in the classroom-RSS, podcasts, and more
-National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)
-Professional development for educators and administrators
-Integrating technology into the classroom and curriculum
-Safe practices for the Internet and technology
-Educational technology for parents

125 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2012

Reviews

[Amy Prosser]

Wonderful book. I've used blogs in my class before, but I've struggled with how to run comments and keep posts interesting. This book goes from the basics of why to use blogs, how to, and then into the details I was looking for. If you're considering the use of student blogging in your class, you should definitely check this book out. There are tons of great ideas within. Also, I saw the writers present at ISTE's conference this year, and they served a wonderful example of how teachers need to start connecting online with each other.

[Bonnie]

An excellent introduction to blogging for teachers and technology coaches, or anyone who wants to get started using blogs with kids. Overview and steps are laid out clearly, with an emphasis on what blogging can do for our students and that blogging is not an add-on, but a different way of doing something we are or need to be doing already: Instead of worksheets or chapter-end questions, comment or blog about it. Instead of a reader's notebook on paper, put it in a blog. Short enough to read in a couple of sittings, and just enough advice to avoid common pitfalls.

[Amy]

I won this book at a Technology conference I went to. I got some good ideas to do with my book clubs (reading groups) at school. Of course due to all the restrictions on our internet access I can't really do a blog but the book gave me good ideas that I am modifying to do on our Edmodo account that can work like a blog between my classes.

[Tracyfedon]

Good for first time classroom bloggers - it covers all aspects of blogging with kids. Not so good for more experienced classroom bloggers. Last chapters on connecting with other classroom blogs was very helpful.