Using Blogs to Enhance Literacy
On one of my searches I came across a new book on educational blogging. The book is “Using Blogs to Enhance Literacy : The Next Powerful Step in 21st-Century Learning” by Diane Penrod. Diane Penrod is professor of writing arts at Rowan University, Glassboro, N.J. She directs the university’s masters program in writing and is the site director for the National Writing Project. The book was not available in the library here at Georgia State but I was able to check out a copy from Gil Express. In her preface she states, “Because literacy is a complex topic, as are the social aspects of blogging, to intersect the two creates a host of issues. To that end, I have based chapters on contemporary concerns. My hope is to make the material relevant to educators and parents who want to learn more about the blogging phenomenon beyond what is described in the mainstream media.”
The chapters cover these topics:
- Why blog?
- Blogging and New Lieracies
- Blogs as a New Writing Genre
- Gender and Blogging
- Ethnicity and Blogging
- Blogs and Bullying
- Encouraging Safe Blogging Practies
- Integrating Multiple Intelligences and Blogging
- Creating classroom Ethics for Blogging
- Blogging Matters
I like this book. I liked it well enough to buy my own copy. I particularly like to see books with a focus on literacy as it relates to blogging. Her last chapter discusses challenges facing classroom blogging and suggestions are offered for parents, teachers, and administrator. She poses lots of questions and possibilities. Lots of food for thought….
July 17th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Hi Anne,
Thanks for the recommendation…….I just now ordered the book from Amazon……Am looking forward to a great day (or maybe two or three or more) of reading and learning!!!!
I have been trying to keep up with the Building Learning Communities Conference for the past two days…..Had permission to go this year, but could not work it into my schedule. Have you had a desire to attend? If so, maybe next year we could get a group of Georgians to accompany us to the great state of MA. Just a thought!
I look forward to seeing you at GaETC in November.
Best, Jerrie
July 18th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Just what I was needing. Thanks for that
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Anne -
After following your blog now for the past couple weeks, I must say I am very impressed as well as appreciative of your wonderful suggestions, resources, and tech tips for helping kids learn how to blog. I am a technology specialist at an elementary school in Minnesota and we are just starting to use blogging with our students. Seeing this book review in your sight was a great addition to our quest in using blogging for educational purposes. Thanks for the idea! I enjoy following and gaining more knowledge from your blog. Thanks
July 27th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
This is a wonderful resource. Both the book and your lessons learned from the previous post are very valuable. I did a joint blogging project with my third graders and preservice teachers at the University of Florida last year. I had many of the same results, but still picked up pointers from your lessons learned. Thank you so much.
August 6th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Thanks for the kind words, everyone! I hope all of you find the “blog book” really useful. Let me know if I can be of further support. I’d hate to see blogs be turned into “mere social networking” when the power is there to teach students.
Diane