Best Practices In Educational Blogging

Internet and blogger safety is important for everyone, including our kids.  When they are in the classroom, safety is easier to control.  But when they are at home, or even in the classroom on their own, they need guidelines to follow.  There are numerous articles, blogs, wikis, and videos that talk about blogger safety.  I have tried to pick a few sites that I thought had good information, and summarize it in a few major points.  At the end of this post, I have included the parent information letter that I send home, as well as the Pledge of Integrity that the kids must sign and follow.  These were developed a few years ago by the district, and I have adapted them a bit for my purposes.

Best Practices in Educational Blogging

• It is important that students know not to post personal information.  Even though we host a safe environment in our classroom, that is not always the case when they are elsewhere.
• Students should know that our classroom blog is for educational purposes.  The posts they make should be related to what we are talking about.  They can have fun, and still keep it focused.
• Language, meanness, or attempting to be someone else will not be tolerated.  The students will understand that any of these will result in the loss of their "privilege to blog."
• Students will be sure to read other posts and replies to make sure they are not simply repeating what someone else has said.
• Students should be able to see the value in what we are doing, or maybe it's not that important.
• Teachers should understand that blogging should be equitable.  Therefore, those that don't have access should be able to get access somewhere, somehow.

I found lots of articles on blogger safety:

Blogger Safety: Tips to Protect Kids Online

Blogging: iLookBothWays

Blogging Safely

My school district had developed a letter that goes to parents and a Pledge of Integrity for the kids, which I have adapted for them.  Here they are:

August 15, 2012

Dear Families,

As part of bringing a variety of technologies into our classroom curriculum this year, we will be using a Web Log (“Blog”) which I have created especially for our class.  A blog is a great tool for students to be able to practice communication and writing skills as they share their ideas with their classmates.

Blogs are simply online journals. Our blog will be used primarily for literature responses and discussions.  Occasionally, I will post a question or comment related to a book or concept, and ask students to respond.  Students will comment on my questions and others can read their comments (students may comment on others’ comments as well. Students will NOT use their last names when working with the blog and I will monitor the blog daily.  Parents will also have viewing access to the blog, but ONLY MEMBERS of our blog will be able to add comments. Other possible uses of the blog will be for class newsletters, information about assignments, or website links.

Even though you may have given permission to have your child share his/her work on the Internet, please indicate below your approval for your child to participate in our Class Blog and return this letter to school

by Friday, September 1, 2012.

Please allow me to address any questions or reservations you may have before you grant or deny permission.  You may reach me at mmains@cherrycreekschools.org or 720-886-2800.

Please review our “Pledge of Integrity”.

Thanks for your attention and consideration.

Sincerely,

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

My child can participate in the “class blog”.

______________________________________________________________

Parent Signature                                   

______________________________________________________________

Student Signature

______________________________________________________________

My child should not participate in the class blog.

______________________________________________________________

Parent Signature

Here is the Pledge of Integrity:

Pledge of Integrity for Our Class Blog

1.               I will NEVER pretend to be someone else.

2.               I will never include personal information.

3.               I will always use appropriate language.

4.               I will not insult, offend, or be malicious.

5.               I promise to use correct language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

6.                My communication must be connected to our
 unit of study!

7.               I will respect others’ opinions and thoughts.

8.               I will be careful and selective about what I write.  I will try not to repeat, unless I am reinforcing.

9.               I will not get “carried away.” I must use my resources and my instincts!

10.           I will REMEMBER my Pledge of Integrity, take it seriously and HAVE FUN blogging!

Student Signature____________________________

Date ______________________________________