Barrs and Horrocks: Educational blogs and their effects of pupils’ writing
A summary of the reading included what makes good educational practice. Barrs and Horrocks listed this as “effective discussion and good writing skills”, the overall outcome of these topics when being taught and practiced by students found that children work most responsively when inviting topics of discussion are posed.
Overall, a project was conducted to allow teachers to reflect up on their practice, observe pupils closely and document their observations. Blogging was the main method of assessment and was a key area for children to provide a reflection of what they understood. However, the study showed that teachers often form a generic basis to a blogging task, for example, posing a simple question for the children to respond to. However, an effective blogging area should really generate a stimulating environment to engage students. for example, placing videos, an article or interesting resources which can work as a starting point for children to generate ideas and thoughts.
Barrs and Horrocks reflected up on using videos and them being highly successful when developed in to teaching. Children are very responsive to good science videos and should therefore be encouraged by teachers as they should use them more to stimulate the minds and thinking process of students.
The study showed that children thoroughly enjoy writing, composing stories and writing plays so therefore, this should be embraced in to blogging. Good writing must be for a real purpose and in context and the writer must truly understand ho the audience is/will be. Good writing is creative and expresses something, be that feelings or humor.” Therefore, it is agreed that good writing has real meaning and purpose with a strong sense of a reader/audience being present.
To conclude, if blogging is effectively pushed by teachers, it can generate a big frame of learning opportunities and practice for children to benefit from.
Are there any issues to consider when blogging with you class? Would you blog with your class? What might you ask your pupils to blog about?
Issue would include children developing a casual relationship with the class teacher. The nature of blogging means it is quite informal and I would worry some students may take advantage of this. Also, in order for a blog to be successful, it would need to be constantly updated. However, I understand that the pressures of teaching means that as time would go on, keeping the blog updated may be an issue. However, I would keep it quite an open environment which is student led. Therefore, just posting simple topics such as ‘Next week in science we will be learning about habitats, post any knowledge you already have or have researched in regards to this’. Even setting up activities which are not related to topic they have been learning in about in school. For example, posting an interesting article which is cognitively engaging and asking students to share opinions and thoughts about it.