Blogging vs. Writing

After having to write an introductory post as part of the "getting to know you" phase of our year long collaboration with the students in Los Angeles, the first  real blogging assignment the students in my class had was to write a post outlining the difference between blogging and writing.

I wasn't sure if it was too early for this. After all, these students had only been blogging for a week, but again, I wanted to take the opportunity to drive a point home to them early. We had been talking in class about different things with blogging: how posts need to be formatted differently online allowing readers to skim through small pieces of information, about the need for graphics such as photos or movies being built into a post in order to support the written text. Finally, we've also touched on the idea of building links into a post to provide your audience with further places they can go for more information. Basic, but important differences.

Shyla said:

"Blogging gives us people, who don’t normally have a voice, a chance to speak and tell everyone our opinion. It makes what we have to say matter. You don’t have to be rich anymore to get your voice out, all you need is an internet connection."

Kate said:

"Now sadly it’s time for the bad news about blogging. The worst part is, it’s out there, and every one can see it, once it’s up on the internet you can’t get it down. Also you have no idea who is on the other end reading your post, that’s why you have to be safe while you’re online.

Michael said:

Blogging is a way of expressing your thoughts to the world and wondering what people will say about the life of others. It is also about meeting new people and learning about things you never even now before. It can be about the cultures of other people and new heritages.

These kids are getting into the idea of connections and voice. While we have spent much of our time so far just talking about the physical, formatting difference between electronic texts and written, paper based texts, the kids are beginning to see beyond this.

technorati tags:blogging, classroom, connections, text

Comments

[Lisa Parisi]

I love this idea and what your students said. I think I might ask my own students this very question at the end of the year, this being their first experience with blogging and only being 10 years old. I can't wait to see what they have to say. Your students got right to the heart of blogging. Congrats!

[Brad Wenger]

Very insightful thoughts from your students. It seems as though asking them to reflect early was a good decision. What grade level or ages are these students? We are starting some blogging assignments with our fifth graders, and I need to get a feel for what is too much for them....thanks!

[Clarence Fisher]

Lisa; thanks for the kind comments, I was actually impressed with their thoughts as they have been at this such a short time. I will pass your thoughts along to them. We still need to get into connections and conversation, but this is certainly a good beginning.

Brad; These kids are grade 7 and 8. So basically a classroom full of 12 and 13 year olds....