Blogging in the Science Classroom

Sawmiller, A. (2010). Classroom Blogging: What is the Role in Science Learning? The Clearing House, 83(2), 44–48.
The author did an excellent job of describing some of the advantages of using blogs in the science classroom. As part of the new media students are attracted to this "click and publish" form of communication. The author addressed a variety of roles of blogs in the science classroom. Students and teachers can develop blogs that have many possibilities such as posting journals, assignments, pictures, web links, commentaries, audio/video, and the possibilities go on. Blogs allow communications with all stakeholders in the education of the child thus extending the walls of the classroom. With the help of blogs teachers are able to support differentiated teaching/learning, enhance motivation for learning and critical thinking. Students develop their writing skills as they publish their blogs.
The article is very positive about the use of blogs in the science classroom. The author backs her claims about the advantages of blogging from the research literature. The author, however, cautioned readers about some difficulties of implementing blogs in schools due to regulations that are often established to protect students. She recommends that teachers obtain parent and school administrators' consent before engaging students in blogging.
The article is well balanced in its coverage of research findings, activity recommendations, and pedagogical recommendations. If there is a criticism it is the same as in most articles in the area of instructional technology and that is that the author takes a few jabs at traditional face-to-face teaching without recognizing that it is often not the presence of any technology that makes a learning experience effective or meaningful but the way the learning activity is orchestrated by the teacher and how engaged the students choose to be in the learning experience. The advantage of technology is that students have a wealth of information at their very finger tips.