5 Reasons Teachers Should Start Writing a Blog

Are you thinking about starting your own teacher’s blog? You know that digital technology is sweeping classrooms on a global basis, creating blended learning environments. And you also know that to stay effective as a teacher you need to embrace some of this technology. For many, the problem is knowing where to start, how to initiate and integrate these new systems into the classroom. And while most of us are now comfortable with using a smartphone and personal computer, unless you’re a hardcore geek, the idea of massive technological setup can seem intimidating. It’s not that you’re a closet Luddite, it’s just the idea of learning an entire new system can feel a bit overwhelming. So, rather than thinking you’re going to have to learn code, be a social media guru, and invest decades learning how to run complicated software programs, focus instead on sufficiency. Set a goal of learning what will be sufficient to create your own blog. Or, in teacher terms ‘just enough’. â€Å"[Teachers] need [to learn] ‘just enough’ to help them complete a curriculum-related or instructional task. Anything beyond this is wasted effort.† And blogging can be a simple and gentle way to get more comfortable with technology in the classroom. For taking steps to create a blog, this post from Teach Junkie 24 Steps to Creating An Awesome Teacher Blog is a good place to start. So, let’s explore 5 good reasons teachers should start blogging. 1. Blogging is Efficient. A common area of resistance for many teachers is the thought that blogging will take up too much time. But in truth, once the initial setup is done and you’re familiar with the platform, blogging is an efficient and effective medium to communicate with students, parents and other teachers. You can use a blog to: Organize and consolidate all of your files, links, research data and multimedia sources in one place. And of course, you can keep private pages for your eyes only. Share students work within an online community for collaboration, reviews and peer critiques. Communicate in a two-way flow with parents. You can post classroom lessons and curriculum online as well as class progress, events and activities, so that parents are always in the loop. And parents can add their comments to your posts as well – or you can set a dedicated email address for private communications. Post classroom and homework assignments, schedules for upcoming tests and review material. This means no excuses of ‘not knowing’ when projects are due, and are helpful for students who are absent. This post from Angela Watson on Blogging Tips for Teachers is a good read for practical advice on setting a schedule, how to pick a theme, niches, etc. 2. Collaboration and Extended Reach. Today’s EdTech tools such as blogging allows for a broader range of collaboration between students and teachers as well as between teacher and teacher. It’s a great way to share what you’ve learned with other teachers, and to learn from those with a bit more technical savvy – as this very informative post 50 Ways EdTech Benefits Teachers and Students from Tom Vander Ark demonstrates. And, as an integrated tool in blended learning, blogging can also enhance â€Å"communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, global awareness, and digital responsibility/citizenship.† Blogging also facilitates expanded influence for â€Å"professional learning networks across districts and around the world.† 3. Blogging Builds Voice. For aspiring writers or teachers of drama, English, journalism etc. blogging is a very effective way to develop their â€Å"voice†, one of the key qualities in becoming a better writer – and thus, a better communicator. Critical for being a good teacher. But it can also be the voice of social consciousness. Anyone who works within the parameters of public service knows how difficult it can be when trying to effect positive change. Blogging allows us to take our concerns into the public arena – as Susan Bowles did when she refused to give the FAIR test to her kindergarteners. Use this tactic with discretion of course. Park your post in ‘drafts’ and sit on it overnight; or consult with your peers or superintendent before publishing. 4. Use Blogging as a Learning Tool. Setting up a blog, learning how to use it, composing original content and curating information is a great way to teach language, writing and editing skills in the classroom. And getting students involved with their own in-class blog also teaches them how to interact in a public platform with integrity and respect, and develops good â€Å"digital citizenship skills.† This post by educator Susan Lucille Davis offers a step-by-step process on Blogging Basics for setting up a classroom blog. 5. Blogging Gives Perspective. Let’s face it, just like our students, we don’t always behave in the classroom the way we’d like to. Events unfold, buttons may get pushed and then we assign meaning to those events based on past experiences. These meanings then color our thoughts and feelings which may be expressed in a manner somewhat less our usual high level of professionalism. Blogging can be a safe environment to gain perspective on what’s happened by creating a space for reflection; as the act of writing itself helps to clarify and refine our thoughts for objective examination. In situations that are unusual or create uncertainty, the professional should â€Å"reflect on the phenomena before him The act of reflecting-on-action enables us to spend time exploring why we acted as we did†. In short, blogging helps to create distance so we can see the situation clearly – it helps to keep us sane! Well, there you have some good reasons to start blogging as well as some teacher recommended resources to make your entry into the blogosphere easy and successful.