Using Blogs in the Classroom

As an English teacher, I immediately thought that using a blog in my classroom could be a very handy, and motivational, instructional tool. The first idea that I had upon learning more about blogs, was to use it as an alternative to exit slips. I have used exit slips in the classroom before and I like the way that they help students reinforce what was learned in the classroom that day. They also give students the chance to ask me any questions that they might not have had the chance to during class. Using a blog in the same manner could be very useful and a lot of fun for the students. Students could use the blog to respond to a question or comment that I would pose about the learning they have been doing in the classroom. They would be able to share their thoughts with me and with the members of their class. Being a high school teacher, I usually have five or six different classes. This would give each class the opportunity to interact with one another and not just the students that are in their individual class. This could lead to a lot more discussion and deeper thinking about the material we are studying. I think that blogging would enhance the students learning because it opens the door to listen to four or five times as many ideas as they would get in their own class and it would give them the opportunity to share their thoughts with that many more students. I also think that my students would be more willing to have these discussions because they are using the internet and get to discuss it with their peers and not just their teacher.