This blog provides a shared space for teachers to blog about their experiences in teaching writing to high school and college students.
I learned about Blogger from a treasured colleague, Marian Gonsior. We have each of our students set up a blog and attach it to their writing portfolios. I think you could say we use Blogger for pre-writing (something many students resist), and critical thinking. We introduce Blogger when we start the research paper process. First we have students post their topic and research question. We like a little discussion about that. Next we tell them to create an annotated bibliography by finding five sources of information from databases. We have them list the source in MLA or APA format, write a summary paragraph (annotation) and then write a short sentence or two explaining how this information answers their research question. This gets them thinking about the topic and gives them ideas for structuring their research essays. Students always tell me (later!) that this process made the research paper much less intimidating to write. Of course the picky work of the Works Cited/References page is already done, so it makes that last page just a matter of copy/paste.
Notice that Blogger has other features that allow links, inserts, etc. Blogs can be edited and revised by using the little pencil at the bottom of each entry. There is a nice space for comments, too.
I haven't used Blogger for the discussion of reading assignments or reactions to YouTube videos, but that could be done I suppose. I use a wiki (PBWorks) for that because I want cross discussion. I'm still working on that. :)
I'm open to more suggestions.
