Classroom Integration Ideas
English
A key question in integrating a blog into an English class is whether to address the writing style of the web or to use the format for publishing standard writing. In general, web writing is more concise with shorter paragraphs and lists preferred to lengthy explanations. Much has been written on writing for the web, for more information read Jakob Nielsen’s Writing for the web.
- Individual blogs for daily or weekly journal entries
- Collaborative blog sharing helpful tips on grammar, reading, or writing
- Collaborative book or film reviews
- Individual blogs for posting and evaluating writing assignments
- Individual blogs for weekly review of articles or sites related to class topics
- Evaluation of the validity, objectivity, reliability, and quality of specific blog entries
History
- Collaborative blog creating a time capsule for a time period being studied
- Individual blogs for sharing and evaluating writing assignments
- Individual blogs for weekly review of articles or sites related to class topics
- Reading bloggers from other countries as an alternative source of current events
- Collaborative blog reviewing the history of technology
- Individual blogs presenting historical information in the form of journals
Arts
- Individual blogs for critiquing art and linking to examples
- Individual image blogs used as portfolios
- Individual blogs sharing creative writing
- Collaborative blog to share and critique assignments
- Collaborative blog researching art-related careers
Mathematics
- Collaborative blog linking to and reviewing examples of math presented in articles or on other sites
- Collaborative blog for questions or tips
- Collaborative blog to post and analyze graphical representations of mathematical information
- Individual blogs translating mathematical terms to everday language
- Collaborative blog presenting and discussing mathematical hypotheses
Science
- Individual blogs classifying and interpreting data from assignments
- Collaborative blog discussing class experiments and developing theories
- Individual blogs applying scientific knowledge and skills to understand everyday events
- Collaborative blog about scientific innovations and discussing the effects on everday life
- Collaborative blog discussing public policy related to science and technology