What to Blog About

It is absolutely normal that in the beginning of your blogging you don't know what to write about. If you don't feel inspired try to find something interesting in your life or learning, and share this with other students. 

It's great to share your experience. Maybe your example will inspire someone else.Anyway, blogging has a lot of personal benefits, like improving your writing skills and critical thinking, along with learning to organise your ideas and expressing your own opinion on various subjects.

Here are some suggestions what you might write in your blog posts:

• an interesting article that you read

• a great resource that you found

• an inspiring video that you watched

• a fun and exciting activity that you did in your class

• an idea that you have that you would like to share

• a reflection of your own lesson or experience, 
• or someone else's experience that inspires you

• or anything else that you would like to share...

The Benefits of Edmodo

My first entry in my new blog is about Edmodo. 

As I told you, it's a popular tool for educational purposes. It is used by teachers all over the world. 

I was looking for something about teacher blogging, and found this another teacher's blog where he writes about benefits of Edmodo. 

I think this corresponds completely to our current situation. I know that not all of you understand why we use Edmodo, maybe this short list will make it clear for you. 

(I use a fragment of the original blog entry. You can find the full version by following this link).

Why are we doing this?

1. It is a really easy to learn, effective way to share ideas, links and files quickly in a classroom situation. You can poll students and they can even submit video files to you. The students work it out in about 5 seconds.

2. Students like the interface (many have said to me it is similar to Facebook) and engage in a wide-range of different styles of lesson using the tool.

3. The teacher creates the class space, only people with the code can join. The code can be changed and the teacher is able to manage their ‘online classroom’ effectively in the most appropriate way for that group.

4. It is a practical way to teach students about good digital citizenship. You can insist upon a code of conduct that focuses on everything from good spelling and punctuation to netiquette.

5. You can communicate with the whole class, make small groups or send individual direct message DMs. Students cannot DM other students with this tool. It is a great way to extend students and allow them freedom to develop their own ideas and interests while you are busy with other students.

6. A simple game I play with students where they have to produce a short, perfect piece of writing, edited by their peers, is one of the best writing strategies I know.

7. There are many DEC and educators from around the world using Edmodo. They are very collaborative and willing to share. Classes can communicate online if you share the code.

8. It is free and has an iPhone app. It is not blocked by the filter.

9. Why do you think it is a great tool?