Initial end-of-project thoughts

I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks reading and re-reading the posts the students have made on their Literature Circles edublogs.  The best part of this project from a university level, for me, is the number of students that we have gotten involved in actually using weblogs in a way that they are able to see that this could be done with their students when they are teaching.  Having them actually take on all of the roles has been a bit overwhelming to them but it has really made them think about just how they could or should manage it with students.  It also has giving them the opportunity to be in their students' shoes as far as the different roles are concerned.  They have probably learned that some roles will work much better in the classroom and some are much better online. Having students comment on each others posts has provided good feedback and given them a feel for the power of comments.  They have been able to share other good links to websites, they have agreed and disagreed in a professional manner, they have asked questions of each other and gotten good answers, and even though the students found it a little difficult to have to post on every role I think they agreed that the process has authentic value for them as future teachers.

I think the edublogs also provide an avenue for the Georgia State University professors to see areas in students' writing and thinking that could be improved. It gives them an avenue unlike any other - sort of a window to peek into the thought processes of a teacher-to-be as she/he is reading and learning. Weblogs enable them to see the understandings of their students. The more I use them, the more benefits I see.  Now it does take time to sit down and sift through all that but what an incredible way to improve our own program.  You can see strengths and weaknesses in a unique way.

This group of students were great at asking questions about passages they did not quite understand.  They also questioned topics in the books that they felt were too difficult to be introduced to younger children.  They wondered how to handle discussions about sensitive topics and in some cases even questioned if they should.

Connecting the elementary weblog group with these students also added a lot to the project.  As Mary Beth commented, "I thought our tour of House Elementary showed a great example of how the proper use of a student run Weblog could greatly benefit a school. It encouraged student writing and gave complete ownership." Mary Beth would not have been able to make this connection if you were not participating in a weblog herself!

Blogging iin educational settings is not just keeping a diary or a journal.  It is much, much more than that.  It really gives you a way to focus on writing and thinking, I'm pleased with this edublog project.  These are initial end-of-project thoughts.  More later, I'm sure.