Blackboard Student Blogs

M. LanaghanMarch 1, 2012

What - Why - How?

WHAT: BB Blog vs “regular blog”

Similar to a generic “blog” in that:– personal writing by one person– discrete entries ("posts") – published on www

Different from “regular blog” in that:Regular Blog (wordpress, blogspot) Blackboard Student Blog

•Most content is from teacher

•Open access

•Most content is from STUDENTS

•Course participants only

vs Other BB toolsBB Discussion Board BB Journal

New tool – introduced w/blog tool (9.0)one-on-one communication between Teacher and Student

Suitable for:Reflective journalsOne to one communication bw T & SOther?

Original tool – also in prior versions of BBSuitable for:Sharing opinionsBrainstormingFluency buildingOther – maybe some overlap

BB Student Blog

How it works…• Designed for

student content• Organized by group

or individual Suitable for:• Wide variety of tasks• I used it for

publishing longer, composed pieces

Fall 2011, L1 writing, Three Blogs

Blackboard

Summary of WHAT

BB Blog possibilities

• Group blog – for whole class or smaller groups

• for individuals• students can post

compositions • Can comment on

classmate’s work• can include media, photos,

design

WHY?Why WRITE at all?• Important question, many answers – expression, function (we each have thoughtful reason/s)

Why BLOGS?• Socialization/education is based on multimedia• Authentic audience increases results• Encourages development of voice (but they still plagiarize)• Multiple learning styles

– storytellers– designers

Why a BLACKBOARD blog? • Easy - students are already enrolled in your course – no registrations needed• Restricted membership – no privacy issues• Way to create community• Technical support resources – helpdesk, Dmitri• Community of users – Mary, Dmitri, Shehab, Pam, Ed, Huw, Ann, others??• Could link into other platforms

HOW??

• Teaching• Technical

HOW - TeachingTasks should fit/incorporate unique features of the technology

– It’s a publication, so….. pre-writing ?….. editing ?– There is an audience, so…. relevant to audience– Allows for design/formatting, so….– Allows interaction, so…

Suggestions– Apply principles of task design (i.e., keep it simple, clear)– Give plenty of lab time for technical steps – typed handout– Do 1 or 2 practice/extra credit tasks before you assess one – Assessing– decide how, if comments will be included

Example assignments– “About Me” – – “True Story”– “How-to” article (future HW for Level 2) – Others? Report on an interview– Others – NOT?

Other Teaching Issues

• Plagiarism – 2 students• “texting” language• Posting in the wrong place

Reflection – so far

Summary• Even a small project seemed to interest students• It was motivating for teacher• Practice makes progress (for students and teachers)

Questions for Future Focus: • Do students write more if they write online?• Should errors be pointed out in comments?• Over time, as T gets better, will students participation

improve?

HOW - technical

• handout - Technical Steps

Images downloaded from:Images downloaded March 2012

• Pace University http://ctlt.blogs.pace.edu/2011/01/discussion-board-don%E2%80%99t-click-save-draft/

• University of the Arts London http://www.arts.ac.uk/mybbsite/guides/communication/discussion.html

• Title slide design by Joshua Miller• Background slide image www.getcliparts.com