Blogging in an engaged and controlled academic environment is imperative to increase student motivation and cooperation.
In a traditional classroom, students spend vast amounts time writing and creating ideas that are limited to the confines of his or her respective classroom. Traditionally, the wealth of ideas produced by students are dictated and controlled by a single teacher with a red pen in his or her hand. He or she is the one who reads, edits, and interprets the child’s work, without gaining insight from any external sources. I have found through my experience student teaching that it is hard for a student to stay motivated when he or she feels as though his or her work will go underappreciated.
Fortunately, the solution to giving children a solid outlet to display their ideas can be found within the art of blogging. Blogging opens up the child’s work to a whole new audience, including but not limited to his or her classmates, friends, and family. Publishing a post online creates the opportunity for an endless audience. Topical enthusiasts in other towns, states, and even countries are reading and reacting to these blogs. A student having his or her work appreciated by external sources can make a significant difference in his of her motivation to produce work. Therefore, Blogs opens the window to a wealth of new people willing to offer encouragement and feedback.
Blogging is a revolutionary new idea for students and their motivation to write. It provides an authentic educational outlet where his or her writing can be extended beyond the classroom, to their peers and the public. Blogging gives students a worthwhile audience, and a connection to the external world. The more the child feels like his or her work is affecting the world outside of the classroom, the more he or she will view the work as worthwhile. This engaged external audience could help propel students' motivation through connecting, sharing, challenging, and discussing their ideas. Through engaged discussions on blog comments, an audience can enhance student learning by providing additional information, sharing opinions, and asking questions.
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