Sometimes it’s easier asking kids to do something we’ve tried ourselves. Whenever experimenting with new technology or projects, teachers should consider taking the plunge to consider the experience before asking kids to do the same.
Take blogging, for example.
Blogging is a powerful tool for students to express ideas and get into a writing routine. These routines facilitate stamina and steady growth over time.
Imagine how powerful it would be to tell students that you’re a blogger too and how it has helped to improve your writing.
For teachers, blogging can be the difference between mediocre and exceptional. Taking the time to reflect on pedagogy and problem solve publicly can enhance the learning for the teacher and the students by proxy.
There are many ways that educators can use blogs to enhance classroom learning.
6 reasons teachers should start blogging today
For reflection – What educator can’t stand to review the day’s learning and objectively think about how things went? What went well? What can be adjusted?
For connection – Teachers can build Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) through their ideas online and sharing their blog for others to comment on.
For collaboration – Work with colleagues to develop ideas together and write to inspire change and growth
For developing voice – Spend time finding your authentic voice, writing in a style that suits you about things that matter to you.
For writing development – Writing every day or weekly or monthly creating a habit or routine of writing will help improve the way you write.
To model good learning practices – Anything we want students to do, we should blaze the way with first. This is a great way to show them the value of the practice from your own real experience.
Once you’ve established a comfortable blogging habit, then you can expose students to the experience. There are many ways to use blogs with students and can have the same positive impacts for them. All content areas can use blogs in a plethora of different ways.
With the rapidly changing educational environment, blogging is a great way to get kids writing across content areas and developing unique spaces to share their ideas. In addition to the writing benefits, students learn to be better digital citizens which is essential in this 21st century.
In what ways do you currently use blogs? If you haven’t started blogging, what’s stopping you?
This post originally ran on Brilliant or Insane in 2016