I'm a teacher, why blog!

A blog is a journal that is published online. But very few people keep a journal, and even fewer publish it. So what's the attraction of a blog? Well, it is not for everyone. However, teachers have one or more captive audiences with which they are in constant communication. Secondly, blogs are immediately available to anyone with an internet connection. Thirdly, they allow comments by readers. So, if teachers want to get information to their students in a form that is always available (at home) and which students can respond to, and maybe parent can have access to as well, then a blog might be useful. Add to that the fact that blogs gererally look good, can include images and video, are searchable, then maybe they are a useful communication tool.

What about students, I hear you say. Well, blogs can be restricted to a limited audience, and if students have a need to communicate with more than just their teacher, they can be very useful. They are simple to structure: are always linear, and are a long term record. They can be a major journal of learning and observations. They can be open to parents and family, so can provided an instant and appreciative audience. That is a key attribute of blogs for students. They can provide a forum and an audience for student writing and images.

Students and teachers can have multiple blogs that are written for different audiences as the need arises.