DCL: Introduction to Blogging!

Well, this first required resource is a reflection of the information I give the kids I am teaching how to blog. It is a subject close to my heart.

Some possibly valuable blog links to follow:
themindlabbyunitec.blogspot.co.nz
www. nzcer.co.nz/blogs
blog.core-ed.org
ipad4schools.org/latest
markmcguire.net

The next step in the blogging resources reinforced the value of blogging.

Links on this blog:
Blogging to improve student writing

Some key references regarding the importance of blogging in schools:

Personal Response:
I have chosen the Blogger Blog as my platform because it is what I use in class and simple to use.

I have been blogging professionally since 2013 and find it a perfect platform for sorting our my thoughts, making and storing/sharing notes from PD, unpacking resources, making next step plans and keeping myself accountable. I also blog so that my learning can be shared by a wider audience and hopefully support the learning of other teachers. We are part of a community and have a responsibility to give as well as take.

Other educators' thoughts on the value of responding to student writing

The environment needs to be supportive and non-threatening.
The teacher needs to develop a community of writers.
An audience gives purpose for writing and a wider range of next step comments.
Comments should be specific and immediate.
Students can be trained to give effective comments - taking the entire responsibility for constructive comments off the teacher.
Evidence of achieved success criteria across a range of pieces can be tracked and recorded.
Blog posts are shorter pieces to edit and comment on but still give evidence of targets achieved and editing completed.
Concrete examples of next steps helps student editing.

http://patue.teachercast.net/responding-to-student-writing-chat-archive/