I have chosen to set up a class blog as an ICT resource in the classroom. In the syllabus Lgr11 they emphasize to cooperate and the content of communication shall be about daily life and social relations in different situations in areas were English is spoken.
What is the resource and how it works
A blog is a webpage with regularly diary or journal entries. It can be set up and used by teachers and learners and connect learners to other communities of learners, for example to a class in another country. On the blog you will post comments of daily life and interesting links and pictures. A class blog is used by a whole class and all post to the same blog. You can also set up a student blog which is individual. There are a number of free blog sites and when you introduce this in the class you can set up a sample blog. If you have an Interactive whiteboard, the process can be showed step by step on the screen for the whole class. An international exchange with a college in an English speaking country will be set up. The class blog will be in a real-world situation where they can practice their written English and also have contact with pupils from other parts of the world. A blog set up by teachers is called a tutor blog. The possibilities are to provide study tips, review class work and give specific links for your students.
How can it be used by pupils?
Using a class blog is a good practice of the writing skill and reading skill to acquire vocabulary and be aware of grammar structure in a natural meeting with other pupils. There will not be that fear of writing like with ready- made tasks or work in the formal textbooks. The pupils exchange interests, music, sports and things in their world. They get knowledge about other school systems and how the daily life is in other countries. The whole class blog project will maybe end up with student blogs where they find their special friend to blog with.
Other considerations with using class blogs
As a teacher you have to set up for example how many times a week the class will post on the blog and get response. You must bring different subjects and topics to discuss and exchange experiences about. Be aware of level of language which is used, because that is the whole point with blogging in language learning. Language acquires in a natural way.
Helene Bard
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