Contributor: Sandra Sinfield @Danceswithcloud
Idea: Without reflection there is no learning – so to get students to reflect we ask them to blog about their learning each week (starter questions: what/why/reaction/learned/next steps) – in a WordPress blog that they customise and ‘own’. We encourage them to read each others’ blogs and leave supportive comments. At the end of the year, all the students realise that not only have they learned more than they realised – they have also developed a writing confidence…
Practitioner comments: “The students write about learning in their own voices – they start to own it – it belongs to them – and not to us. In the process they realise that they CAN write!!”
Useful Links
Sandra suggests here websites as inspiration for her students:
- Tips on blogging: ds106.us/handbook/blogging/;
- Teach Thought’s 30-day blogging challenge: www.teachthought.com/teaching/reflective-teaching-30-day-blogging-challenge-teachers/
- Becoming: becomingeducational.wordpress.com
- Last Refuge: http://lastrefugelmu.blogspot.co.uk/
- Read Chloe’s blog for inspiration: noblechloe.wordpress.com
Credits: “I do this with my students – supported by colleagues Tom Burns and Sandra Abegglen”