I think the Russell Street School is doing a great thing with the public student blogs. I think, overall, students value knowing that they've created something out in the world, not just a paper test you recycle as soon as you get your grade. And, they get to show their work in a blog, which is a format they see elsewhere in their life. Their parents might read food blogs or political blogs; their siblings might read fashion blogs...and now they've created a blog themselves! (chances are, their parents and siblings don't ready essays at 12-point font on 8.5x11 paper very often).
In addition to student pride, it just helps bring transparency. It's great for a parent to be able to check out a kid's blog, and importantly, see it in the context of other student blogs. (if all the other student blogs are super well-designed, you could talk to your kid about layout....or if they're all crazy colors with comic sans, you can say oh yeah, they're 3rd graders, I guess that's ok)
Now I know that if you get an F on a math test, you have the right to keep that a secret, and that's fair. But I think that model is too far of stretch to apply the same standards to a blog, and say that it somehow violates a student's right to privacy. Some students may have reservations, but I think the public displays of student work are 98% a good thing. I think a blog is a good "in progress" type of documentation, while a more static website may be better suited to show off a finished body of work, like a portfolio.
-Nick Boyce
I think this is great for student validation. It allows the students to be proud of their work. It shows them that they are capable of anything that they put their minds to!
ReplyDeleteNick, I tend to be of the opinion that the more open something is, the better. I think that in addition to validation and transparency (which are both SO vital) I think it also brings a level of accountability. You will be more apt to get your work done when it is obvious that you haven't.
ReplyDeleteGiving students a chance to post their work for friends and family to see allows an opportunity and gives them more reason to take pride in their work. I also think its great for them look back on how much they have grown in their learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the value of an audience for a piece of work is important. Certainly in any writing activities. Why do it if it just goes in a book and only the teacher ever sees it?
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky in school. We don't 'grade' work. Simply give written and or verbal fedeback and next steps. No child receives a letter grade on a piece of work. I think the more ways we can to find to 'publish' work the better - be it on a classroom wall, display or blog. It seems that this school is really getting it correct and going in the correct direction.