I am looking into your suggestion.

If things pan out, I’ll let you know.

Thanks again,

Paul

The blogs I am using are not free ones. You might want to check blogMeister (http://www.landmark-project.com/blogmeister/).

The site states:

“This online blogging tool is explicitly designed with teachers and students in mind, where the teacher can evaluate, comment on, and finally publish students’ blog articles in a controlled environment.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.”

Perhaps this might be what you are looking for.

I am also a teacher: I teach English as a foreign language to JHS students here in Japan.

Last year I had them keep a journal that I could collect and mark. I pondered the idea of moving it to the online realm.

This year I would like to do just that, but was a bit worried about similar issues as inappropriate comments or posting things that parents might object to their kids showing to the world (Japanese tend to be rather paranoid).

I would like to keep it so that only classmates can view and comment on each others blogs, but also something that can be accessed from home as a means to practice English -both reading and writing (typing). I know there are some online journals out there that have a “privates only” function, but usually there is a charge for this service…

With all your experience in educational blogging I was wondering if you had a solution or knew of a site that was free, easy, and safe for kids to use.

Thanks in advance…

Paul

Please express to your students that they are pioneering new and innovative ways in education by using blogs. They have many supporters and readers (like myself) who really enjoy reading their work. Unfortunately, a bad comment will happen every now and then which sops the spirit. So I hope this comment gives a boost to you and your students. My sincerest support to you and your students.

Amy Bowllan