I'm using this blog as a sounding board to find out if certain things are possible when it comes to getting students to post to a blog I want to create during the school year.
If they need to get a google account, how do I handle them getting an email address? Are all students supposed to have an email address through the district? If so, can I have them use that to create this google account?
Are there standard parent forms when it comes to getting parent permission for putting pictures on a blog, requiring students to post to a blog at least once a week either at school, home or library?
I think this is all for now.
Thanks!
Summer Institute 1 Fellows
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2 comments:
Hi Regina
I am also planning on trying to use a blog during the coming year...I think i'm going to try to use gaggle, which is a school-friendly email and blogging network. I know that Jenn has used it, so let's try to tap her brain before the institute is over. Hopefully she can give both of us some strategies and info.
Also, maybe we could share some ideas about how to use a blog in middle school LA.
chelsea
Most blogs need an email account. Gaggle is one of the easiest ways to do this. Usually the Gaggle accounts comes through the central tech person (TTL or Computer Teacher) in the school. They will open up enough accounts for everyone in the school. I am not sure if Gaggle will do it for individual teachers, but I can find out.
Google (Gmail) as well as many of the online email accounts require the users to be 13 or older. Check the terms of use for the site.
There is a permission form for parents that is one the school district web site. Remind me, I am printing it out now. I would adjust it as needed for your situation.
I would send out all permission slips in the beginning of the year, it is a better chance of getting them back. I would explain what the work will look like online. For example, the child's first name will show, no last names will be used.
I would set up the blog so parents can visit it. I would set the permissions so the only people to post or comment are members of the blog community (ie. Your classroom)
in this day and age, especially in middle school, most of the students have MySpace accounts and email addresses. I think you'll get very little resistance if you explain how you plan to use the blog, who can access it and what type of information will be displayed on it.
EduBlogs is another website you may want to look at. Most predators look in common spaces, not school sites.
Hope this helps!!
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