My Cooperating Teacher's Class Blog Tool

I just spent quite a bit of time on the Class Blog for one of the English/Language Arts sections that my cooperating teacher teaches. The teacher, Elizabeth Whitfield, posted some information for the students (including a poem, a picture, and some related info) on the Jena 6 issue, and asked them to respond. She urged them to include information about justice, equality, racism, and how those issues are dealt with by contemporary society.

The students were required to respond; therefore, as is typical, some took it seriously, while others did not. Some of them provided very insightful and well thought out responses . . . I found it really great to read specifically from some of the students who are more reserved in the class-room setting. The blog tool is so helpful for those with more timid personality types, because it provides space for them to think and organize their thoughts, as well as giving them an unlimited amount of time to consider what they would like to say before posting it. It's great to have that kind of structure and safety around classroom discussions!

I love that the blog provides them with a space to share thoughts as well as enhancing their writing skills, and it's a place where they can read and listen to others, and respond without the fear of interruptions, interjections, or confrontational rejection. I think at the same time that it's more stretching for those students who don't want their words published, and hanging out in public space for all to see . . . when spoken words are not able to occupy space and remain for viewing by the public eye.

The class blog is a great tool on many different levels, then . . . to share ideas, to provide structure and safety in conversation, to enhance writing tools, and to encourage students to be able to publish their own thoughts and ideas without fear.