Blogging in the Science Classroom

  

 

    What better way to display student learning than to document it in a blog. Using a blog can allow students to document their learning with videos, pictures, drawings, data tables and writing. Readers can be updated on student learning by subscribing to the blog. Most science experiments are visual and have a step by step process which can be documented easily in a blog using the mediums mentioned above. The process is easy and can be rewarding the student showing off their work as well as their audience, parents and community.  

 

    Things to consider before blogging with your class. The purpose can also be broad. It can be as simple as student expression and showing off their work to the overall assessment of knowledge learned. Can images of your students be shown on the internet. Make sure you have parent permission with a signed permission slip on file. Make sure to consider public comments on your student blogs. It might be a good idea to choose a blog that allows you to turn off public commenting in your settings. How much time do you have to support this blogging project? What is the target audience for your blog? Is it primarily for students to share with the teacher and other students, or is it a broader audience allowing parents and possibly the public to view the blog.

 

     There are many purposes for using blogs in the science classroom. It allows the quiet student to have a voice in the classroom. The student that normally would not express what they know to the class. It allows the student with poor writing skills a way to verbally express knowledge. They can be used as an informal or formal assessment for a change from the usual multiple choice test. The ultimate goal would be to spark imagination and creativity in students for the love of science.