Changing

by Sarah La Gaze of
effects of United World College
South East Asia, Singapore
classroom
practice
through
blogs and Reporters

vlogs Mary Grace P. Jimenez

Magelyn P. Habito
 Definition of Terms
BLOG (short for “weblog”)
-an online journal or informational
website displaying information in the
reverse chronological order, with
latest posts appearing first. It is a
platform where a writer or even a
group of writers share their views on
an individual subject.
VLOGS
-a personal website or social
media account where a person
regularly posts short videos.
MULTILITERACIES
- a term coined in the mid-1990s by
the New London Group and is an
approach to literacy theory
and pedagogy. This approach
highlights two key aspects of literacy: 
linguistic diversity, and multimodal
forms of linguistic expression and
representation.
 It was coined in response to two
significant changes in globalized
environments: the proliferation of diverse
modes of communication through
new communication technologies such as
the internet, multimedia, and digital
media, and the existence of growing
linguistic and cultural diversity due to
increased transnational migration.
 Introduction
Blogs may be great educational
tools and they give students complete
freedom to publish content on the
web, but if you don’t know how to
effectively implement them into the
classroom, they’re only as good as
wadded up balls of paper in the
trash.
Being literate in today's society is
significantly different from that of decades
past. The effects of new technology and
globalization have transformed the amount
and diversity of information available, how
information can be presented, and the ease
with which anyone can become a published
author for a global audience (Jewitt, 2008;
Potts, Schlichting, Pridgen, & Hatch,
2010).
In many classrooms today, literacy education
appears to be different from what has been
traditionally expected: students use
technology to access information online and
they use it to produce a range of computer-
generated, colorful, professional-looking end
products. But, literacy education needs to do
more than integrate technology 'to learn old
things in old ways' (Cope & Kalantzis, 2009,
p. 88)
 Highlights about the researcher and article
The researcher of the article teaches a class of
Grade Five students (10-11 years old) in a large
international school in South East Asia. The
school is well resourced with one-to-one laptops
and the availability of iPads, which are shared
within the grade. Students are proficient in using
and collaboration with Google applications such
as Google Docs and Slides along with other
applications on the computers and iPads.
Upon critical reflection of the
researcher based rom her
culminating unit in Grade Five
called Exhibition of Learning, she
recognized the possibility of
providing students with the
opportunity and skills to share
their own knowledge to a wider
audience.
Through the medium of blogging,
students could develop their skills to
publish their own messages to the world
through text, images and audio. Several
researchers of educational blogs
(Jimoyiannis & Angelaina, 2012; Kim,
2008; Novakovich, 2016) identify
numerous benefits to blogging and show
how this platform can support
multiliteracies pedagogy.
Ebrecht (2015) highlighted that blogging
promotes meaningful communication
and develops critical and analytical
thinking, along with collaborative and
reflective skills. O’Byrne and Murrell
(2014) stated that blogging helps
students to construct meaning and
participate in meaningful dialogue
within and beyond the classroom.
Students were encouraged to think
deeply about the whole learning
process they were experiencing. The
blogging platform offered the students
an authentic audience with whom to
share a range of meaningful messages.
Students received regular feedback
via peers, parents and other teachers.
 Outcomes
- Students reflect on their learning and
connect with a wider and authentic
audience.
- Students felt empowered.
- They recognized that their audience was
not limited to readers this year but it
includes future generation.
- Student choice was critical in ensuring
their work was successful.
- Students showed more enthusiasm and
commitment to their work.
- Students experienced the natural power
of ‘hooking’ the reader through powerful
words, images and text layout with the
combination of comments from reading
and viewing the blogs and vlogs.
- The students were encouraged to use their
critical thinking skills to analyze how different
modes- sound, image and language- were used
ton portray a particular message.
- Students experienced agency through choosing
their own topic for each blog.
- Helps them to see beyond stereotypes often
generated by mass media.
 Conclusion
The nature of literacy has
changed. An understanding of
multiliteracies and the
underpinning pedagogy can
empower educators to transform
the literacy curriculum in their
classrooms.
The new dimensions of technology
provide clarity in understanding how to
ensure the curriculum is not simply
using technology at a surface level, but
rather develops students’
understanding and skills to be critical
thinkers and creators who can share
their perspectives of the world and be
agents for positive change.
 Using blogs and vlogs in the classroom
enhanced students’ engagement and their
desire to produce writing of a high quality.
For some students, the blogging platform
linked to their own experience of creating
texts and sharing media; for other students,
it provided them with the knowledge,
understanding and skills to inspire them to
be publishers of meaningful text in the
future.
 Reflection
You are probably already familiar with what a
blog is, but just in case, a blog is an informally
written website, created by an individual, most
often in a journal-like format. Originally, blogs
were online diaries where individuals shared
their daily activities or talked about their
passions. Over time, blogs have developed into
much more and can be used in the classroom
for a variety of educational purposes.
As you know, students of most ages and
levels enjoy being online in just about any
form. So, with the help of blogging, you
can motivate students in your classroom
to take an active part in their learning.
With this technology tool, students can
work online completing writing projects,
journaling, collaborating with other
students, and even keeping track of and
turning in assignments.
You could create one blog for the entire
class, or you could have students create
their own blog, using online platforms
such as Edmodo, WordPress or Weebly.
You will likely want to decide which
platform works best for you and your
class, depending on student age and level.
Spend some time familiarizing yourself
with the different formats.
As you can imagine, with all the uses
for blogs, you can transform your
classroom into an educational
playground! Below are some ideas for
classroom blogging to get you and
your students started. But first, a few
brief details on the differences
between class and individual student
blogs.
Class Blogs
With class blogs, the teacher acts as the
operator of the site. On the blog, you
can post class announcements,
prompts, resources, and assignments,
as well as provide a space for students
to collaborate by sharing drafts, ideas,
or providing each other feedback on
their work.
Individual Blogs
In addition to a class blog, you can
have students create their very own
blog. In this individual space,
students can brainstorm, journal,
or work on projects. A blog can also
be a place for students to showcase
their work.
ADVANTAGES
There are several advantages students
gain when they start a blog. Of course, the
main benefit is the ability to make money
from blogging, which can help pay for
school or give you some extra pocket
money. If you go all-in with blogging, you
can even build a full-time income able to
support you after you’ve completed your
schooling.
ADVANTAGES
There are several advantages students gain
when they start a blog. Of course, the main
benefit is the ability to make money from
blogging, which can help pay for school or
give you some extra pocket money. If you go
all-in with blogging, you can even build a full-
time income able to support you after you’ve
completed your schooling.
1 – Learn How To Use SEO
2 – Own Your Content
3 – Develop Online Writing Skills
1 – Learn How To Use SEO (Search
Engine Optimization)
2 – Own Your Content
3 – Develop Online Writing Skills
4 – Learn Responsibility
5 – Become an Expert
6 – Gain Feedback from Others
7 – Connect with Followers/other
Students
8 – Exercise your Creativity
 9 – Grow Confidence
10 – Improve your Communication
Skills
11 – Learn Web Design Skills
12 – Develop Your Thinking
13 – Find Your Voice
14 – Build a Business
15 – Help Others
16 – Work from Anywhere
DISADVANTAGES
1 – Cost
2 – Distraction from School
3 – Need Patience
4 – Not Very Social
5 – Poor internet connectivity
6- Location of the school
7- Capability of the school to
promote blogs/vlogs
8- Capability of the teacher
9- Capability of the students
Additional information
 DICT
 TECH4ED
 Microsoft Educator Ambassadors

a. Zipgrade
b. Mentimeter
c. Kahoot
d. digieskwela.neolms.com
THANK YOU