Blogger
Blogger is a tool from Google that allows people to create blogs. In the class, teachers can use it to enhance writing because students can write whatever comes to their minds regarding the topics of the class. If you do not know how to apply this tool to your students, the following activities can guide you in the process.
Three Activities that can be Implemented with Blogger
1. Commenting on the Teacher's Blog:
In this activity, the teacher creates his/her own blog about the topic that is being studied at the moment, for example, "Science and technology." Thus, the teacher can share the blog with the students through e-mail or WhatsApp and can have them comment on what they think of the blog. Also, the students can respond to other classmates' comments to establish a conversation. Then, the teacher can see what students wrote to assess them.
In this activity, the teacher creates his/her own blog about the topic that is being studied at the moment, for example, "Science and technology." Thus, the teacher can share the blog with the students through e-mail or WhatsApp and can have them comment on what they think of the blog. Also, the students can respond to other classmates' comments to establish a conversation. Then, the teacher can see what students wrote to assess them.
2. Creating a Blog:
This is another activity that can be implemented with this tool in the EFL classroom. As classwork, the teacher asks students to create a blog with a name related to the topic of the class. For instance, if students are studying "Causes and effects of natural resources misuse," they can name the blog using key words related to the topic. Then, in class, students create a post where they can write suggestions, examples, and/or opinions regarding the topic assigned. When students finish writing their post, they invite the teacher to be an author in the blog so that he/she can check more easily and send the blog's link.
This is another activity that can be implemented with this tool in the EFL classroom. As classwork, the teacher asks students to create a blog with a name related to the topic of the class. For instance, if students are studying "Causes and effects of natural resources misuse," they can name the blog using key words related to the topic. Then, in class, students create a post where they can write suggestions, examples, and/or opinions regarding the topic assigned. When students finish writing their post, they invite the teacher to be an author in the blog so that he/she can check more easily and send the blog's link.
3. Virtual Portfolio:
This activity can be used as an extra-class work. At the end of a topic, the teacher assigns students to design a portfolio on Blogger. To do this, students have to create three short posts talking about different aspects of the topic studied. Students have to investigate by their own so that they can have more information. Each post has to have a brief explanation of the subtopic and the students' opinion about it. On the due date, students have to send the link of the Blogger to the teacher through e-mail, having previously invited the teacher to be an author in the blog.
This activity can be used as an extra-class work. At the end of a topic, the teacher assigns students to design a portfolio on Blogger. To do this, students have to create three short posts talking about different aspects of the topic studied. Students have to investigate by their own so that they can have more information. Each post has to have a brief explanation of the subtopic and the students' opinion about it. On the due date, students have to send the link of the Blogger to the teacher through e-mail, having previously invited the teacher to be an author in the blog.
Tips for Teachers
If you, as a teacher, want to use this tool in your class, these suggestions can be helpful for you.
- First, it is necessary that you learn how to use Blogger, so it will be easier for you to teach your students how to use it and develop the task.
- Take into consideration the equipment of the high school where you teach. If there is no access to Internet or computers, it will be difficult to use Blogger in class.
- If you assign students to work on Blogger at home, make sure that all of them have a computer and access to Internet.
Protocol 2: Blogger in EFL Classes
With this tool, teachers can see students' level of proficiency regarding the writing skill. Moreover, Blogger allows students to express themselves freely, and in that way, they can become interested in writing in English. Similarly, learners can develop their critical thinking since they will be writing what they think about a specific topic and what their classmates think as well.
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