As time went on, I watched other peers come out with blogs. I read a few of them and thought they were successful whereas some were less interesting. This made me think, how can I start a blog? Why are people going to want to listen to me blabber on about my experience? So i decided against the idea. Christmas holidays approached and the whole concept of blogging was put to the back of my mind. Forgotten.
When returning to Uni in January, I started new ICT seminars with a different lecturer, Steve Wheeler (@timbuckteeth). In the first session, one of his questions was 'Who has started a blog?'. Oh great, here we go again!
So... for 2 weeks I've been thinking to myself 'what can I write a blog about?' Then it hit me... why not see why blogging is so important to people and why people blog. So here it is my first ever blog - why do people blog!?
The first place i thought i could get some general answers was Twitter. So I put the question out there 'Why do you blog?' This is what i got in return.
From this I came to the conclusion that generally people do it to share ideas and get feedback from an audience. But I still wasn't convinced that blogging had a big enough impact. That was until I looked at blogging in the classroom...
Blogging in the classroom
Back in November i got involved in 100 word challenge #100WC created by @TheHeadsOffice. This is where different pupils from different schools around the country write an 100 word short story based on a prompt and the audience can write comments about a child's piece. I did this for a few weeks but between school experience and Christmas holidays I got distracted by other things and lost the motivation to do it. However the idea behind it was superb. Some accounts I read were so creative and imaginative which made me open my eyes more to the concept of blogging.
However I still wasn't 100% convinced, until Andrew Kilgour (@_imaginaryme) gave me insight into his story of blogging. He is a deputy head teacher in a primary school in Bromley trying to promote class blogging in his school. It is used with a group of year 6 children who the school hope to attain level4 by the end of the year. http://y6writingninjas.edublogs.org/
'The impact of blogging on the pupils is significant they have become more positive about their writing and they really like receiving feedback. They have marveled at how blogging has brought the world into our classroom, and the real audience that they have has given their writing a tangible purpose; crucially, they see themselves as writers now. It is a unifying feature of the school now and have had positive feedback from parents' - Andrew Kilgour.
For me, seeing blogging in a real life perspective has made me realise that blogging can become a huge part of the primary classroom and that the impact on the children is outstanding. I am truly inspired by this blogging story and I will definitely be promoting blogging inside and outside the classroom.
From this I am looking forward to following upcoming events about blogging such as http://feb29th.net/ created by @DeputyMitchell.
So to round off -I have officially gone from becoming a blogging hater to a blogging lover!
Blog-tastic Polz :)
ReplyDeleteHi Polly... great start.
ReplyDeleteI think you will find that taking the step into blogging as both learner/practitioner will invigorate the progress you make. I had taught and blogged with my students successfully for a number of years before I began blogging personally. I am glad that I started as it has revolutionised my practice - as part of many pieced puzzle - that now includes an MA in Education, developing a sizeable network on Twitter and speaking at conferences. I did not necessarily see many of these things in my future three years ago but now I can't imagine how my learning and teaching would develop without them.
For many blogging is about reflection...and this is valuable; however, as you noted early in your post can be done in a traditional diary... it therefore is the shared experience; the dialogue that is fostered, that makes blogging a richer experience.
I hope that you come to find it as rewarding as I have and that it adds to your progress towards becoming a classroom practitioner.
You check out my blogging journey here: jamesmichie.com/blog
It is interesting to read your critical thoughts on the benefits of blogging. I know many people have jumped straight in and started blogs, aiming to learn by doing, but there is also much to be gained by doing what you have a researching before giving it a go. Hopefully you find it useful for your learning.
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