WEEK 6 - Defining the path

I consider that blogging will benefit my class in many aspects. First of all I want to create a blog for a specific class in order to make it an extension of the class itself. I could use it in the classroom to provide additional practice, I could use it in the computer lab to review and reinforce the contents previously seen in class and the most important aspect to use it to promote autonomous language learning in students by telling them to access it at home, work or whatever place at whatever time.

Blogs could enhance critical and analytical thinking, they could promote creative and intuitive thinking, they could increase access and exposure to quality information and finally they could develop a combination of solitary and social interaction.

I will start a class blog with simple announcements, homework assignments, and external useful links organized by language skills. To get them accustomed, I will ask students to read other blogs related to topics they want.  I will supply a subject related list and I will review it with them.

With blogs I will:

Encourage online verbal exchange. Provide with class and syllabus information. It serves as a resource of links for self-study.

It will be a space for collaborative discussion, an extra-curricular extension of the classroom where students can be encouraged to reflect in more depth, in writing, on themes touched upon in class as an online portfolio.

Provide extra reading practice for students as online student journals that can be read by peers. Guide students to online resources appropriate for their level.

Increase the sense of community in a class encouraging shy students to participate, stimulating out-of-class discussion.

Rottner