BlogginBetsy

AP Lit. students at ERHS have been utilizing a blog in their classroom "to extend and enrich" their "understanding of a difficult text in an academic and very public forum." This quote was taken directly from Ms. Groce's Literary Blog Expectations for her AP Literature & composition class. Glenn Malone (as seen here) facilitated a discussion with the students, their principal, and their teacher about the benefits and drawbacks of posting to a classroom blog on Tuesday, April 11th. The student responses were overwhelmingly positive about their blogging exercise. I noted the following comments:

About Blogging...

• very cool and lengthens discussions from class
• gives a voice for those who are out of their comfort zone in a classroom
• allows students to think on their own
• step out of the box
• easier way to learn
• more relaxing way to communicate
• found that I am reading more posts than I thought I would
• interesting to see other's opinions - very deep
• gives other ways of learning
• certain students can sway a classroom discussion to their way of thinking, but blogging allows the individual student to formulate their own opinion
• promotes independent thinking

One student was concerned that blogging might detract from human interaction. Others were quick to point out that too much of anything is not healthy.

After listening to this discussion, I would conclude that this Blogging Exercise has been very successful. Ms. Groce set up explicit expectations for her students. The student responses to the literature have been extraordinary. I can see why these students are A.P. kids by reading their postings and comments.

Although it was thrilling to hear students speak so eloquently about how blogging benefits different learning styles and the positive engagement/authentic writing factor the technology connection makes, but I was shocked to learn that they don't perceive personal information posted on the web as a threat to their safety. It was most interesting and uncomfortable to watch Principal Brian Lowney tense up as Glenn Malone shared personal information about one of their classmates. Mr. Malone knew where she worked, what she looked like, where she vacations, her favorite movies, songs, and baseball team! I was surprised with all the My Space controversies that have been in the news that students were not more aware and careful about information they post about themselves for the world to view. We definitely need to do more with all students, parents, teachers, and administrators on internet safety.