Continuing with the book report alternatives series, this blog post will focus once again on a small change you can make with your current literature strategies. In guided reading, reflection journals have been a very effective tool to build comprehension, make text connections, and respond personally to text. Adding technology to the reflection journal in the form of student blogs can greatly enhance student understanding.
It works exactly like reflection journals, only students will record their journaling in the form of a blog. This adds "wow" factor to the individual student and provides a wider audience for students, therefore, typically resulting in better quality work. Additionally, it allows other students in the class to comment on the reflection, add their own perspective, ask questions, or further discuss events.
It is important to remember that student comments are a critical piece to the enhancement of the learning. If students add new information or ask questions in their comments, the learning cycle continues. If students become critical editors or cheerleaders to a job well done, the learning stops. This article from eSchool News explains it best.
Blogmeister is a favorite blog site of mine. It allows teachers to not only create their own blog page, but one for each of their students. Student email accounts are not needed for this site, but if your school is not registered, you will need to obtain a school passcode from the site administrator. (Joplin teachers, see Klista Lawyer-Reynolds for this code) All student articles and comments can be set up so that the teacher monitors whatever is published.
Using blogs as reflective journals is meeting both the "Communicating" and "Collaborating" of the 4C's. It is assumed that critical thinking will also be utilized, therefore, meeting three of the four C's. What a great way to encourage reflection and technology in literacy!
