I found the article by Barrs and Harrocks to be very interesting. The article talks about the importance of blogging and ways it can effective ways it can be used in Primary Schools. Research suggests that teachers have asked pupils to write blogs without providing pupils with means of obtaining information for their blogs or the question is too vague. This led to pupils either providing too little or too much information in their blogs or putting less effort into their blogs. Barrs and Harrocks suggested teachers should provide questions which provide more guidance, for example, the questions can contain video links and web links which will help pupils to obtain the answer. It should also provide an opportunity to allow pupils to comment on other pupils blog. I Believe this helps pupils to gain ideas and helps to motivate them. He also suggested blogging should be more engaging but tailored to meet the needs of all pupils, providing an opportunity for all pupils to blog, even those without internet access.
Did you disagree or have alternate views to anything Barrs and Horrocks suggested in their report?
I agree with Barrs and Horrocks. Blogging can be seen as boring by pupils if pupils are always doing the same thing on their blogs. However, if they have the opportunity to communicate with one another thought blogging and comment on pupils blog, it would make blogging more worthwhile and appealing to pupils.
How can schools help children who don’t have internet access as home. I think there are some funds available from the council to support families in this circumstance. Maybe some children could be allowed onto computers during breakfast club to gain access?