I teach 11th grade Sociology in a small rural district in west central Ohio. As part of the class, I have had my students write an article analysis about an issue that deals with Sociology. On the day it is due, we usually have a classroom discussion about the article. It serves as a starting point about an issue that students may or may not have experience for.
Instead of having the students write a paper about each issue, I could have the students read an article and I could blog my thoughts on the issue as a starting point. Then, students could respond with comments, questions, and other issues that may come to their minds. By using blogs in this way, I believe students would become more engaged in the discussion. The web is a useful tool in this regard as students are sometimes shy about sharing face to face with their peers. Also, this exercise would teach students what I am learning now, how to use blogs for educational purposes rather than what they most commonly use them for, social networking.
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That sounds like a great idea for using a blog. Good Luck
ReplyDeleteWhat better class than sociology to stimulate discussions on a blog? I love this site which is created for sociology teachers but one that I read because it's written by top sociologists and full of stimulating discussion. Here is the link: http://nortonbooks.typepad.com/everydaysociology/what_is_this_site_about/
ReplyDeleteOne challenge I see in offering an open discussion concerning current events and controversies is that debate could get heated as you will find on many news type forums there is always someone who does not play nicely so I would suggest going over comment protocols and examples of how to phrase a comment or question critically rather than emotionally in order to come across with a critical voice.
Yours sounds like a fascinating subject to teach!
I like the idea as well.
ReplyDeleteThe stumbling block may be with having the students find the time to respond via the comment page. If you built it, they won't always come. If a classroom has access to two or three computers, the students might be able to work during class time for ten to fifteen minutes. This may just whet their appetites.
Thanks for the encouragement! I agree that there will be problems. I will probably start small and may even do a test run with a few friends or trusted students.
ReplyDeleteSociology is a great topic to use a blog and I believe the students would welcome doing something like a blog rather than the one page paper they have to do each week now.
Bottom line is, I think that using a blog in my classes is feasible, but I'm just going to have to work out some bumps along the way.
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