Blogs in the Classroom

Just like many of the other tech tools, blogs have their place in the classroom. It  however, needs proper planning for it to be successful.  There  must be a purpose to the blog or its potential value will depreciate.
Blogs can be used for

• collaboration
• sharing of information and work
• easy access for parents to keep information of class activities
• publishing of students' work
• provide a place where reflection can be done and feedback be given
• developing reading and writing skills

I believe that blogs have one major advance over several tech tools in the classroom.  The cater to the different learning styles of the students in the class.
As a grade two  teacher, I can use blogs in several different areas .
Reading Comprehension
I can post a story and a number of questions where students answer by posting a comment.
Science
After posting a video on the water cycle or how plants grow, students can post their comments and questions about it. 
Vocabulary/Phonics
I can post a "Word of the Day" with instructions for students to comment by writing a sentence using the word or uploading an image to visual represent the word.
Creative Writing
The blogs can be used to practice and reinforce the writing process. 

These are just a few of my ideas and I am sure that there are several others out there. 
Share your ideas, enhance the ones I contributed.
Semonique