Thing 3

How might I use a blog with students?

I plan on using a blog with my AP chemistry students next year in an attempt to create a learning community online. We will not have time in class to answer all questions so I am hoping students will be able to use the blog as a way to help each other on homework, to prepare for tests and compare data in labs. My creating posts as the teacher for each unit or lab - student comments will be organized underneath and can easily be retrieved when needed. The other goal I have is for students to be able to communicate with me in a nonthreatening environment when they are having difficulty with the material. I want the blog to be a place where students feel safe. We will do some blog etiquette training early in the school year to ensure students comfort using the blog for educational instead of personal reasons. I plan on using the approval of comments feature before comments are left on the blog as a way to monitor student input. My most important goal is to be sure the "blog" is not just another assignment students have o complete but instead a place of meaningful information.