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BLOGS FOR KIDS

Page history last edited by Mary Ann Bell 12 years, 3 months ago
Kids and Blogs—Let’s Hope they Get More Access
In the Future!!
 
Blogs FOR Kids
·        Many librarians are blogging about books and also about library programs and activities:
 
·        Author blogs are great
o   Cynthia Leitich Smith: http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/
o   Blog about Harry Potter: http://www.mugglenet.com/
o   Cecil Castellucci: http://castellucci.livejournal.com/
o   YA Authors’ Café gives links to many other authors: http://www.yaauthorscafe.blogspot.com/
o    
·        Teacher blogs
o   High School Film Studies Class wiki: http://alisofilmstudies.wikispaces.com/
o   This blog is for a teacher and students to discuss books they have read. Click on the comments to see what the kids said: http://zajko.blogspot.com/
o   How about a blog for your whole school district? http://www.vail.k12.az.us/~doblog/
o   Here is how another district handles blogs:
§ Explanation at website
§ Teacher blogs visible
§ Student blogs not open to public
Blogs BY Kids
·        Delaney Library Blogs…there are two linked here, library blog and book club blog…the book club is maintained by student club members: http://www.delanylibrary.com/
·        Here is a wiki for high school students and summer reading: http://bhs2007summerread.wikispaces.com/
·        Benold Middle School, Georgetown, Texas…kids can and do comment here: http://www.georgetownisd.org/benold/hubamb/blog.htm
 
PROBLEMS
·        Filters
·        Teacher/Librarian Training
·        Lack of administrative support
·        Lack of parent support
SURVEY –I queried users of LM_NET, EDTECH, and TLC (Texas Library Connection) and asked what Web 2.0 sites were accessible at their schools/districts. If there was access, I asked for comments describing how it was attained.
·        View all results at this URL, which takes you to the Survey Monkey site: http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=hEtqddz4xL3HoFRfWsRJM5BABpTuh4y1XxplnHD755A_3d
 
 
·        Good news: There are some people getting some Web 2.0 access!
o   Shambles
o   Gaggle
o   Blackboard and other management systems with features
o   Wikipedia
o   TeacherTube
o   A few can also get YouTube
o   Social Bookmarking such as Del.icio.us
o   Slideshare
·        Bad news: Many others are locked out of ALL options.
GAINING ACCESS
·        Start small and safe
·        Use committees
·        Enlist parent support
·        Keep asking
·         Pilot Projects…Here is one GREAT QUOTATION: I did several pilot projects, to prove to the superintendent that there were plenty of web 2.0 sites with true educational value. That's how we got PBwiki, classblogmeister, Google homepages, Google Earth and other "community" mapping sites unblocked.
·         Start with less “threatening” options. One person reported: Loads of geography type interactive sites now: Google Earth, Virtual Earth, Flash Earth, Wikimapia.
·         Here are some more direct quotations:
o   Show ‘em that it’s not risky.
o   Prove their value.
o   Show the educational value as well as safety precautions
o   I sent links to some valuable YouTube sites to my principal.
o   Put in place a computer use policy committee that has advocates for access
·         I saw this comment on LM_NET and thought it fit in nicely here: “I posted a request several weeks ago for examples of classroom blogs and wikis that I could use in a workshop. I'm happy to report the workshop went well, and my principal, who attended and really got into blogging, now wants me to do a presentation for the entire staff at our upcoming professional development day.”
·        It might help to point out that other schools/districts are now offering teachers and students these resources.
·        Provide authoritative information. Here is one good article: http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech217.shtml
 
IN OTHER WORDS...BE A SQUEAKY WHEEL!!!

 

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