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The weblog is a relatively new phenomenon finding its way into Alberta's classrooms. As with all technology integrated into the classroom, weblogs must be authentic, truly enhance students' learning experiences and used responsibly.
As part of a university assignment, I reviewed two weblogs and researched the use of weblogs in the classroom. What follows are my findings on the advantages of using weblogs and recommended guidelines to ensure that weblogs are used efficiently and safely in the classroom.
What is a weblog?
A weblog (also known as blog) is "a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles (normally, but not always, in reverse chronological order)" (Wikipedia 2005). Many people view a weblog as an online journal, but it is more than that: people writing in a blog know that they are writing to an audience. Stiler and Fhilleo (2003) make the distinction between online journals and blogs. They quote Yahoo, writing, "Online journals look and read like public diaries, while weblogs feel more like reporting ... weblogs are metatorial while journals are simply editorial." Metatorial means that students are thinking about their editing and actively involved in the writing process.
Blogs are useful for teaching students how to write. Many teachers have their students write their entries in Microsoft Word before copying the entries into their blogs. This ensures that students revise their work and spell-check it before publishing it on the Internet. In a study of blogs used in classrooms. Ward (2004) notes that "one student unwittingly vindicated the process approach of extensive writing when he complained, ? had to do the work 3 times, 1st do it, 2nd post it, 3rd polish it.'" Blogs are also useful tools for peer review. When a student submits a posting, other classmates can comment on it. Teachers must ensure that students follow guidelines for constructive criticism. One teacher remarked: "It was sheer delight to see them discuss corrections with each other, corrections that illustrated they read the book and paid attention in class" (Flatley 2005).
Because students are writing for an audience, they have additional motivation to revise and proofread their work. It is good to have students think...