Blogging in Kindergarten

I love the idea of blogging in my classroom. At this point with the little kinders, I see a blog being a whole group activity, this way the class is collaborating together to create the content. Having a blog as a class will not only let the students create a space about the things they are learning but they will then get to go home and reflect on that learning and show their parents.  Morgan (2015) says that "[Blogs create] features that promote collaboration, blogs encourage reflective learning and a deeper understanding of content" (pg. 28).  The students would take pride in a blog that if used effectively could increase their learning significantly.

One of the ISTE Teacher Standards that I feel this implementation in my classroom will meet is to "Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness" (Standards). Web 2.0 tools are something that is new in education. By using a blog it is thinking outside of the box and creates a new way of learning for the students.  Another Teacher Standard it meets is to  "Collaborate with students, peers, parents and community members using digital tools and resources to support using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation" (Standards).  It will give the students a chance to collaborate together and reflect on what they are learning. As well as bring the parents in the loop and support their learning at home.

One of the Student Standards that this would meet is, "Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using networked devices." (ISTE Standards).  As a whole group we would be discussing safe behavior and I would be modeling it as well.  Along with that it would also meet, Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences"Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication" (ISTE Standards).  Getting to choose different media tools to add into our blog, photos, audio or writting will give the students the chance to explore what would be appropriate for whatever lesson we are on.

Resources

ISTE Standards FORSTUDENTS. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2017, from http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students

MORGAN, H. (2015). CREATING A CLASS BLOG: A STRATEGY THAT CAN PROMOTE COLLABORATION, MOTIVATION, AND IMPROVEMENT IN LITERACY. Reading Improvement, 52(1), 27-31. 

Standards for Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved May 17, 2017, from http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/standards-for-teachers