08 July, 2008

Encouraging kids to blog their studying

When kids post their thoughts while studying, they become more conscious of what they're doing. Even though nobody reads these things, there is nevertheless an assumed audience, which spurs kids to be more thoughtful. Kids will also go back over material more b/c they like seeing it on the internet. There is empowerment in watching yourself be published, no matter how easy it is. The other benefit is that a student may share information with others and create online study networks if she wants. Kids can make their blog sites their own, with art and pictures, links to facebook and myspace, their favorite youtube video, etc., which creates a comfortable environment for studying.

Another thought: kids love using hypertext. By using fonts, colors, and sizes, they can begin to categorize and think about the material. All around, it's better than rewriting notes or mindlessly making flashcards.

No comments: