I have found an interesting student blogging project at John Spencer’s website. I was most impressed with the level of versatility built in to the project. It can be used as a one-time project to get-to-know kind of lesson in September, a wrap-up kind of project for the end of the year. In fact, it really fits any time of the year to the point that it could be a weekly installment. His project idea is step-by-step and takes one through setting up a student blog one phase at a time. When it is time for the students to start commenting on each other’s posts, there are suggestions to get them started writing. This project even has students reflecting on the project and the process itself.

All of these new (to me) tools to explore and try out are a bit like a whirlwind. The effect that web technologies are having and will have on my educational practice and soon my classroom are difficult to see. One thing at a time is the best policy, I think. Blogging is going to be interesting as I have always been a pencil and paper kind of teacher. But not a day goes by when a student or students ask if they can complete an assignment on their Chromebooks. I have always been a believer in the paper and pencil means a more direct connection between the writer and his/her work. There are many favorable effects of web technologies (such as student engagement) but I have always seen the copy and paste plagiarism when the internet is involved. However, plagiarism detectors are ubiquitous anymore and easy to use. It certainly would be easier to use than trying to spy the stolen ideas with my naked eye. The website curation tools would also be a great tool that never is lost as the links and resources are always right where we leave them.