I want to be realistic in terms of how I could use blogs at this moment. Although I would like for students to use it without having to attach a grade to it, I know how difficult that can be. For the most part, I see myself using blogs in my high school chemistry and biology classes as an area for debates, presentations, and more efficient feedback.
For example, in the past I have had students research and learn about a scientist and his/her theories/ contributions to the fields of chemistry and biology. The students would then present the information in the form of a PowerPoint or poster and the other students were required to ask questions or make comments during class. It is a time consuming process that has varied and sometimes lackluster results. As a result, I could now have students reach the same project except use the blog to present their finding, ideas, comments, pictures, videos, etc. Using students groups for collaborative feedback, small groups of 3-4 students would need to subscribe to each others blogs and comment and provide constructive criticism and feedback based on a blog rubric that would undoubtedly need to be created to avoid unruly behavior. These would be the students they are normally in lab with and would keep the same group for several weeks to build a repertoire amongst and between them.
In addition, with science fair coming up, I could have the students keep a blog on their projects from start to finish. Through the blog, their peers and I could provide feedback and support on all steps in creating a proper investigation, from questions and hypothesis to ideas for presenting. This can help me help them keep on track. Lastly, I would likely post a questions or controversial science topic online and have the students reply back and forth to each other a few times with their thoughts on the topic and citations for support of their ideas.
Your idea of using blogs for students to post their science findings is a really good with blogs. You mention that you have had lack luster results doing power point presentations in the past, but I think this will excite your students. I think that using this method will allow your students to communicate to one another. I think students like to hide behind the anonimity of technology, similar to how they prefer texting over calling - i think they will like leaving commments and giving feedback online versus stating it during a class meeting. I think this will work very well for your class - kudos!
ReplyDeleteI really like your idea of having students blog their ideas for science fair. This would be a great way for students to share their thinking and also a great way for them to receive feedback and suggestions from their peers.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way for my social studies students. Blogging would make it more interesting if they can share their findings (articles, video, etc.). Also, shy students would probaly do better if they did their assignments online.
ReplyDeleteI actually suggested on an earlier blog that using a blog in a class for science could be used as a log or diary. So of course I love your idea on using it during the science fair. It will be something different for the students. Also, with these blogs they can ask questions or have suggestions for other students. Good Idea!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea on blogs as a presentation tool. I have never blogged until I started this class. It is very easy and is not time consuming, so I think it would give the students more time to research and pull their projects together versus them working on putting it into a PowerPoint or report.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that students would use the blog for debates, and constructive feedbacks. As you mention, the "traditonal" method of presenting is very time consuming, and in many instances the quality of the feedback is not where it should be. Allowing the students to use the blog for this purpose gives the students a platform in which to provide more concrete and higher quality feedback.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post on using blogs to enhance the educational experience in the science classroom. You have wonderful ideas on how to effectively use blogs for presentation and learning purposes. I do agree that poster board and power point presentations have been overdone and therefore no longer effective. Using blogs to present findings and conclusions, as in the science fair, may prove to be beneficial for all students as they can review a colleague's findings and leave comments and constructive feedback.
ReplyDeleteI really like that idea of having them post science experiment research online. You could also have them post their sources, annotated bibliographies, etc. on certain days throughout the semester (or however long they have to work on it.) That way you can monitor who is actually working on the experiment and who did it at the last minute then showed up the day of the fair and said "my dog ate my homework."
ReplyDeleteMore importantly, it could help students improve time management, planning, and research skills.
Thanks for the inspiring idea!