This assignment allowed me to take a closer look at the various ways in which teachers and students are using blogs to communicate, provide feedback, deliver important and useful information and also showcase student work. As a librarian I am always on the lookout for creative and inventive ways to promote reading and literacy and the use of blogs has become that avenue for me. By taking a closer look at so many other blogs and comparing them to my own, I realized that the uses of blogs are unlimited to the classroom teacher. Here is my review of the five blogs that I examined:
1. http://bhspioneerspirit.blogspot.com/
I think this blog is simply stated. I think it is very effective for the audience that will be reading it, which are students. I like that the creator has used the same pattern for every blog the information given is and is clearly outlined and easy to follow. I really like the section labeled My Good Reads, which I plan on stealing for my own blog. It gives a list of good books recommended by the blog creator. The content is appropriate because it is used to communicate with the school yearbook staff messages about details and deadline. But this blog really needs a color blast. The only color other than the black type is used the blog titles.
2. http://bryanclass.edublogs.org/
This is great blog and it was by far one of the best I looked at. Mrs. Bryan’s Class has created this blog as a class project, so everyone gets an opportunity to contribute to it. The first item that impressed me was that Mrs. Bryan has a set of rules and guideline for blogging that are posted and must be adhered to for all students participating. The blog is provides information on what’s going on in Mrs. Bryan’s class, but also enrichment opportunities for students. At the end of every post the teacher has brain teasers, math problems, puzzles and stories for students. She did a great job and the content and style of the blog is student centered and attractive. Mrs. Bryan get a thumbs up form me for her creation.
3. http://raigmoreart.edublogs.org/
I found this blog very interesting because its sole purpose is to showcase student art work. All of the postings contain slideshows of primary school students art projects. It would have been better if the teacher had written about the assignment and explain exactly what type of art project it was. For example, the use of water color paints, creating a collage or even a sketch of some type so that the reader has a better idea of what they are looking at. This blog could benefit from the use of text and background color would make it more appealing.
4. http://lgeslibrary.edublogs.org/
This librarian has gone beyond the call of duty. Her blog has something that everyone can enjoy. This blog was created and is maintained by the LeGrande Elementary School Library. The librarian created Book Bytes for students in grades 5th thru 8th and Book Bites for students in grades 2nd thru 4th. It is obvious that the creator of this blog has a distinctive love for children and books and has managed to create a vessel for both to share the same time and space. The content is appropriate for this grade level and the style I think needs more pizzazz to it, like a splash of color for the background and text.
5. http://swmlibrary.edublogs.org/
WOW! I really like this blog and found it filled with elements to keep the reader coming back for more. As a fellow librarian I am always looking for inspiration when it comes to my own facility and this blog has truly given me that. This blog contains a video with music, plenty of pictures and the content is great. In addition, it provides useful links and the librarians are using the blog as a way to communicate to the students and staff of Southwest Middle School. The only changes I would suggest for this blog is that they make the font larger for the text and had more color to the page.
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