Lets Blog Down the Classroom

I like the idea of incorporating blogging into my classes. I think the idea of reading posts and adding commentary will be very useful for the next generation of students. I know that I get most of my news from online sources and I think that’s the same with most students nowadays. After a news story post, most newspaper sites allow users to submit post on each story. I enjoy reading commentary from the public and I find it quite enlightening on certain issues.

Unfortunately, some of this enlightening commentary gets lost in the bickering or trolling that often happens. As a frequent reader of several large message boards, I am well aware of the troll effect. An interesting topic or message easily turns into a “flame war” once a troll appears. Then all the intellect or interest of the post is diminished.

I believe that by incorporating blogs into my class, I can begin to instruct my students in respectful social/civil discourse, just like the article “Don’t feed the Trolls” mentioned. By introducing blogging into the classroom, students will start to become of their online voice. They cannot hide behind the anonymous nature of the internet, so they’ll have to take responsibility for what they say.

Aside from students commenting on my blog, I would like my students to develop blogs in order to type out a few reflections. It is an informal arena so I expect to read some interesting musing. Also, as society continues to move towards reusable/green alternatives, I think blogging would be a good way to keep the waste of paper down.
I look forward to more blogging in this class!