Blogging Simply Doesn't Happen

[Carla Arena]

An article I wrote about blogging has just been published at the latest edition of TESL-EJ.
http://tesl-ej.org/ej44/a3.html
How do you view blogging? What are the main challenges to blog in your setting? What strategies can you think of to make blogging a successful experience in the classroom?

Also, you'll have the chance to read about the idea behind the writingmatrix project, how you can use it with your students, and some testimonials.
http://tesl-ej.org/ej44/a7.html
Can you see how it would work in your blog classroom? Did you understand the concept behind it?

By the way, the whole TESL-EJ has just so many treasures to be explored...Enjoy!

I'd love to know your ideas and share experiences on the blogging topic.

Beijos,
Carla

[Jose Antonio da Silva]

Hi Carla,
Congratulations. I have read the article and just loved it. I totally agree with the things you say about blogging. As you know I am also a big fan of blogging and I also believe it simply doesn´t happen. It is hard work to make blogging a meaningful activity for us and for our students. Your articles gave some ideas on how to make my blogs more meaningful. It was great that you have mentioned 21 classes. In this networked world you talked about it with Ronaldo and Erika and he talked about it in BaW08 and I started using it with my groups. It is great. Take a look if you have time and give some suggestions on how I could improve it http://thomastg.21classes.com
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Beijos

[Mary Hillis]

Congratulations on your article, Carla! It is full of useful information, and you are doing such great work spreading the word about blogging. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Camila Sousa]

Dear Carla,

I've been trying pownce with my basic 1 students as they do not have a lot of vocabulary it's difficult for them to use the language and interact with the online community. So Ana Maria and I we are writing simple/ basic paragraphs with the language they have learnt during classes and then they have to write a similar one about themselves... we realized that it's a great way to start so they can latter create their blogs.

bjs, Camila

[Joao]

Yes, Carla, that's right. I have also learned recently that getting students to blog is not just a matter of telling them that now we'll start blogging. There is really a bit more to it. Students need to get familiar with the tool first because most of them had never had any contact with blogs before. So they need to understand what it is all about and grasp its potential in the field of self-expression and making connections.
In my opinion a class blog is a better idea to start from scratch then having students set up their own blogs. It is a suitable place for students getting familiar with blogging and understand what it is all about. And once they did, the blogging experience has much more chances to succeed.

[Carla Arena]

Dear João,

Thanks. The idea is just to show educators that it's not just a matter of telling students, "now we'll start blogging". There's much more to it, mainly in terms of habit formation, understanding of how connections can be made, finding your blogging voice...It takes time and persistence on both sides. I really liked your pointer to Carolyn Foote's blog post Reflective Conversations. Excellent reflection and totally related to what I've been trying to share with other educators.

Dear Camila, yes! Lots of information, but that's the digital world and I'd love to hear more about how your blogging projects are evolving in Brazil. What kind of challenges have you been facing?

Eager to know more.
Carla

[Camila Sousa]

Woww... Carla... Congratulations... Really good article :-)
Thanks for sharing...
I have to read it again too much information and all very useful....
bjs, Camila from the lovely Udia

[Joao]

Hi Carla,
Great article. Congratulations! I have read it with interest There are many useful ideas for successful blogging. A few requirements must be met by teachers to manage to get students engage in meaningful conversations through blogging and your article summarizes them very well.

[Nina Lyulkun]

Hi Carla,
Relating your query: it's not a business trip to Kiev. It's a private one. I need to travel there with my son for the medical consultation.
I'll be back soon.
Beijos
Nina

[Erika Cruvinel]

Hello dear friend
Great article! I'm testing 21classes right now with my students. They are writing short paragraphs there related to the topics we study in class. The first 3 paragraphs were writtne in the lab and today is the first time they have some homework in the blog. http://juvenile7.21classes.com
They are anxious about receiving new comments. You can access each student's blog in the blog list on the right. By the way, 21 classes tagging feature is not a very good one. When students tag their posts, they can not be found in technorati. I have written 21 classes about it and this is the answer I got:
"Regarding the tags, the search engines can index the tags, but it is not guaranteed. Basically the tags are quicklinks in between the network of your portal. With the paid account you can enable a tag cloud that helps members of your portal or visitors to see which topics/tags are hot."
So I missed this feature a lot!
Beijos
Erika

[Carla Arena]

Dear Nina,

Have fun in Kiev! Are you going to work there or what? Would love to know more about it and see photos.

Beijos.