Journal Entry #4

Moderating the Ethics for the Classroom Instructional Blog
Patricia Duebel, Ph.D.
This essay was of particular interest to me because it is essentially a “how to” of creating a class blog. The author spoke about her particular feelings on blogging in the classroom and how it can be used effectively to create an online class environment to enhance the learning process.
The author explains how to many the upkeep of a classroom blog may be intimidating and an intricate process. She also considers the negative aspects of a blog if used inappropriately. However, for the most part, the author supports the use of such technology to enhance the communication among students in a unique way. She speaks to the students that do not necessarily speak up in classroom discussions and how a blog “discussion” may encourage the quieter students to participate.
Of all the technologies that I have been introduced to in recent weeks, I feel that a classroom blog may be one of the ways I will adapt my new found knowledge to the classroom environment. I think it is a fantastic way to communicate curriculum, current events, assignments, discussion and expectations of a class with students, parents and other teachers.

What is a hazard of using blogging as an educational tool?
One downfall of using a blog for student and parent communication is that a blog is a public domain. Although there are effective ways to ensure the privacy and protection of students, there is always the possibility of breach of privacy.

Why should guidelines be established when using a classroom blog?
Guidelines are important in establishing a blog for classroom use. Making sure that thoughts posted on blogs by students, parents and other teachers are relevant to the subject matter, appropriate and well thought out requires that rules are established and maintained by all participants. As the author of this article suggests; at what point does the instructor allow complete freedom of speech? Or do the teacher and other participants have the right to delete comments or edit communication posted by others? I think a good solution to this question is to have a student based discussion on respecting others and “digital citizenship” and ultimately allow the class to establish the guidelines for which they are expected to follow.