So I know it may seem too easy to choose the first tool listed on the
100 Essential Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers but it is a tool I've used for years now and it is so scaleable and versatile I thought it deserved a post.
While I don't teach in a traditional classroom setting, I have used WordPress to power blogs that I've managed for both my kids for years now. Considering myself very much a "digital mom" I wasn't attracted to more traditional, scrapbook based methods of documenting their childhood. As the blogs have evolved, they've begun to become digital portfolios for both of my kids. Artwork that comes home in backpacks and that is often relegated to a week of display time on the fridge is now either scanned or photographed, tagged with info on school year and topic, and posted to the respective child's blog. I've developed a nice, efficient system over time that includes keywords and categories that make searching each child's life milestones, educational experiences and interests very easy.
Because Wordpress is open source (free) and highly customizeable, it is a great resource for teachers to chronicle the work happening in their classroom. I think my kids blogs are a great illustration of how blogging can be used even in the early elementary school years. The community using Wordpress is constantly developing free plugins and add-ons that can help even the less-experienced web publishers change the look of their site, even create security setting to require viewers to authenticate.
I couldn’t be happier that I set up blogs for both of my kids (using their first and last name as a domain) at birth. It has become not only a great way to keep family and friends up to date, but what I believe will be a really amazing tool for them to reference during their own growth and development.
I wonder how different Wordpress is from Edublog. My school runs their blogs through Edublog. It is easy once you get used to it. The only thing is, I don't have authority to just "create" blogs. We have to go through our Professional Development and Curriculum Coordinator for Technology to get a blog created for our use. She always says yes, and is very very helpful, it is just that extra step, you know?
ReplyDeleteThe reason why I say this is your idea of creating a scrapbook for your children would be great in the classroom! If every child got an online space to post pictures, accomplishments, thoughts, summaries of their learning, projects, papers, book logs, conversations, etc., they could have a great comprehensive portfolio at the end of the year to show family, friends, and access to it whenever, wherever! The best part about is that they can use that blog throughout their school career!
If students are giving the option to create and improve themselves, then even if their teacher in fourth or fifth grade isn't well versed in Wordpress, then they could add and work on it themselves (and even teach their teachers how to use it!).
I really, really like this idea Mollie! I think i'm going to investigate it this year and instate it next year with my incoming class. It would take a lot of work teaching "end of the year second-graders/beginning third-graders" how to use it, but it should really pay off in the end!
Thanks!
I have heard of Wordpress, but up until now, I really never checked it out. I read your post, and your one minute "commercial", they gave me some cool ideas that would have been useful when I taught elementary school... where were you years ago when I needed this? Very insightful and informative post Mollie (as always). I like your personal touch of using your son to showcase your idea. It just makes everything more relevant and motivating. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a fan of scrap-booking. I love looking at the pictures and trying to design the page accordingly. I've only done it a handful of times and wish I could do it more, but it's so time consuming and expensive. I decided to go digital with my pictures and just having them on a cd. I'm interested to try out Wordpress though because if I'm going to go digital with my pictures, I want to make it look nice! I also agree with you and Lindsey. Kids are always bringing home awards, projects, and class pictures. You run out of room for it. You don't want to throw it in the garbage so where do you put it? I think it would be a nice touch if teachers created a Wordpress account for the students so they could have a place to put all this stuff and have it later down the road. It would be like an electronic portfolio. The best part is that it's free. I actually checked out the site and created an account. I'm interested in trying it out. I may be coming to you though for some useful tips! Thanks for the post Mollie.
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