Well, my 8 year-olds aren’t quite babies, but I did think that such a title might grab someone’s attention. Was I right?

So, the question of the day is “How can I effectively use blogging or wikis with my 3rd grade students?” Given that blogs are more personal in nature and provide a space where you can write down your thoughts, wonders, investigations and observations, and receive feedback from those who just happen to accidentally or, perhaps more likely, purposely find your post in cyberspace (especially when it comes to wee ones who send their link to Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa and any other friend or relative who might be interested in supporting the little tyke in his cute little venture), I personally figure blogs might be most beneficial at this age.

I didn’t think I could really intelligently answer this question without doing a little research. Most of what I found really focussed on the benefits of having kids writing on blogs. Sharon Housley talks about what one would expect–commitment, improved writing/spelling/editing skills and, of course, improved keyboarding skills. Donna Boucher provides some interesting writing ideas and a good list of Do’s and Don’ts to consider when having your kids embark on blogging…although adults would probably be wise to adhere to the same rules! But it was six year-old Aidan’s blog that really spoke to me. He’s a full 2 years younger than my own students and has clearly gotten hooked on blogging. An adult friend of the family provides a rather short but entertaining commentary on the little gaffer’s excitement. Basically, he writes about topics that interest him, with research backing it up and all. Aidan really got me to thinking about what I could start with my students and, once I nurture them for a bit then push them out of the nest, they could continue with as a home based activity.

I so loathe passing out traditional Spelling homework each week…put your words in alphabetical order on Monday, write sentences on Tuesday, blah, blah, blah…. I know the kids go home and, for the most part, likely loathe it just as much as I do! What if I was to give them a list of writing topics? They could alternate between my list and a topic of their own choice. Wouldn’t 30 minutes of focussed, motivated writing be worth more than glowing 20/20 on your weekly spelling test? Since we don’t condone voluminous amounts of homework at this tender, young age, this could be their regular, weekly homework. In one week, they would have to write one post of their own and respond to that of another student in the class. I would encourage parents to help them with editing (why not encourage some positive and meaningful parent/child interaction whenever the opportunity presents itself?). At the moment, I already have my kids write a weekly letter home to their parents to share what they have been learning. It is just as much of a “let’s learn how to write a proper paragraph” tool as it is a communication one, although my little angels don’t necessarily realize it. As much as I love to see their little handwritten letters and their parents’ loving handwritten reply, maybe I should give up my traditional, sentimental tendancies, step into the 21st century and have them do a little communicating 2.0 style! Ideally, they would continue with the blog for years to come and it would become the memory album of their thoughts. With peer comments, can you imagine the hilarious discussion is would prompt at their 10 year highschool reunion!?

So when I say “homework”, I don’t say they are going to be awarded with an A, B, C or otherwise on their efforts. If I give them enough choice of topics, it might not really feel like homework. As long as it gets them reading and writing, submitting a commentary on their favourite Play Station game would be totally acceptable! I would just have to make sure their blog entries didn’t purely consist of a “Weekly Play Station Update”!

Our school is quite committed to the idea of E-portfolios. Perhaps this blog would be a comparable alternative to the portfolios and, because they can personalize their blog that much more, their motivation to add their own work samples might be greater…or is this getting away from the intended nature of a blog?

Well, I am now just over the 700 word mark and rapidly heading towards 800…not bad for a Friday night after an always tiring week at work. So, wikis will have to wait until next time!