At my school we use the principles of RISE as a school-wide positive behavior system. We have charts that have the RISE expectations for each area of the school. I would add this chart to our current one.
As displayed in this photo, the five keys to 21st Century Learning are creating, connecting, communicating, collaborating, and learning. Blogging is a useful tool to enhance 21st Century Learners because it encompasses all five keys.
Creating: If students have their own blog, they are about to create it, change it and manipulate it however they want.
Connecting : Students are able to use blogs to connect with students in their class as well as students from around the world. They are able to share thoughts and ideas and learn from each other.
Communicating: Students now have the ability to communicate with anyone at anytime just by accessessing their blog. They can receive feedback from tecahers, share thoughts and get information. The students are able to simply access assignments, schedules, notes and more just by accessing a blog. Through blogs, there is more communication with easier access.
Collaborating: through the use of blogs students are able to collaborate more effectively. For group work, all the students do not need to be in the same room. They now just need access to the same blog. I suppose that this could have been done with email or something similar, but blogs provide "real-time" access.
Learning: Blogs have changed the way students learn. They are not just learning from the teacher and books, but learning from each other. Is the amount of information gained from one teacher and one book more beneficial or the same teacher, same book, and all the other students who access the cretin blog? You be the judge.
1. Create a calendar with the volunteer sign up times listed
2. Have students identify the elements of a book read in class
Example:Sarah Pain and Tall 3. Share lesson plans with teammates and administrators
4. Link class with another class in a different country (Pen Pals)
5.Have students create blogs to keep as an online writing portfolio
6. Post pictures of classroom activities and hove students post their thoughts
7. Create a classroom survey
8. Allow open feedback from admin, parents, and students
9. Add photos of special events for parent who were unable to attend
Example: Special Events 10. List upcoming topics so parents can preview the information and create background knowledge for students
