Yes, I think blogging has it's challenges. No, I don't think it's impossible. The children in my kindergarten class are still learning their letters; I do not think it would be possible for them to type on a keyboard. Getting the children to sit still at a computer for five minutes is a task itself! However, I do not think blog use in my classroom is impossible and I believe that I could use the blog in two important ways. First, I would use a blog as a parent portal. As I updated my weekly blog with homework assignments, state standards we are covering, any additional curriculum information, class events such as parties, birthdays in our classroom, student of the week/month information, suggested book list, and school information, parents would be able to visit my blog and see any important information that they may need to know. Also, my room moms would be able to post any information such as reminders for class activities rather than filling up parent's email boxes with constant reminders. Another way I would use a blog in my classroom would be for showcasing student's work. I would be able to upload pictures of student's work as well as pictures in general. I currently upload pictures to Snapfish, which allows parents to see what is going on in our classroom. They love it! The blog would replace that which would allow them the same capability.
I believe a blog would be an essential tool for my class mainly for convenience. With all of the technology we have, it makes most sense to have all of the resources and information in one location. Instead of sending home newsletters, notes, and making phone calls, I would have the ability to post everything to one blog and parents would be able to communicate back to me if needed.
If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them!
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I completely agree with using the blog for a parent portal in your kidergarten class. You could also post vital information for the school year. Your ideas sound perfect for the age level of your students and to get their parents introduced to the technology before the students are actually using a blog themselves. I think this is an excellent opportunity to make sure the parents are involved in students using and learning about technology.
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas! Kindergarten would be a perfect place to try a parent connection with technology. A lot of parents have a hard time letting go in kindergarten and any little morsel you can give them will hopefully satisfy that letting go process!
ReplyDeleteI would like to pose the question as to whether your school allows you to use outside sites to communicate with students and parents?
I teach 1st grade and was using Scholastic's teacher class web and I was made to shut it down because it was not school approved...even though it was Scholastic! We are only allowed to use our school district created web site. Snapfish would not even be allowed.
Super idea, I would love to do this.
I think using a blog for parental communication is a wonderful idea. The only problem will be to get the parents to actually utilize it. I use email to communicate with my parents and some parents are great at responding quickly but then I have some that take days to get back to me. Blogging might have the same reaction.
ReplyDeleteI teach 3rd grade and feel that even 9 year olds will have a hard time understanding blogging, but I was going to use it within my classroom during our reading rotations.
Kim,
ReplyDeleteYes, we do have permission to use outside sites to communicate with parents. I could understand why some schools would not allow it. I always check with my principal to cover my bases before I connect parents with any outside site. Of course, I would check with my administration before doing a blog as my source of communication.
Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying. I often have trouble getting parents to respond to my emails as well. I will state the importance of checking the blog at my open house at the beginning of the year. That is placing the responsibility of checking the blog on the parents. If they want to know information on our class, they will have to check the blog.