The Inquiry Begins....

As part of my Inquiry project for my University class, I present my first Web 2.0 challenge.   I will begin blogging with my students.  Here is the proposal

Begin the week of October 11 to 14.

Web 2.0 tool:  Edublogs kidblog

Rationale:  

To create a location for class projects in all subjects.  Initially, the blogs will be used for written assignments which students have already completed.  Eventually, new written work and other subjects will be added to each child’s content area.

Connect to reading: 

Within the classroom, Edublogs kidblog is a Web 2.0 tool which meets Language Arts curricular outcomes in meaningful way.  According to the BC Ministry of Education (2010) learning outcomes say,  

“write a variety of clear, focussed personal writing for a range of purposes and audiences that demonstrates connections to personal experiences, ideas, and opinions, featuring

- clearly developed ideas by using effective supporting details, explanations, comparisons, and insights

- sentence fluency through sentence variety and lengths with increasing rhythm and flow

- effective word choice through the use of an increasing number of new, varied, and powerful words 

- an honest voice

- an organization that is meaningful, logical, and effective, and showcases a central idea or theme” (BC Ministry of Education, p. 21).  

Blogging can provide clear ideas, sentence fluency, effective word choices and logical work organized by a central theme.  Richardson (2010) says blogs “gives teachers the ability to set permissions and access, and it allows them to approve work before it is published” (p.53).  This control over content appeals to me and I know parents will appreciate this kind of control.  Berger and Trexler (2010) describe the ease of registration and use (p.107).    

Tomorrow is launch day for my students.

We are at 

Reference:

Berger, P., & Trexler, S. (2010). Choosing Web 2.0 tools for learning and teaching in

 a digital world. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

Ministry of Education. Province of British Columbia. (2010).

 Grade 6 Curriculum Package. Retrieved from http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/curric_grade_packages/gr6curric_req.pdf

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful Web tools for

 classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.