Many people have asked me how I got started with blogging. With my recent Edublog Award nominations, it has been an opportune time to reflect.
In 2008, as part of my Teacher Professional Leave project I visited the DEECD Central Office to get some ideas on how technology was being used in schools.
There I met Kerry who introduced me to blogging. She helped me sign up for my first blog, Leopold TPL, and as soon as I got home I started playing….and didn’t stop!
Not long after, I started a class blog and introduced my Grade Three students to blogging. Here is my first attempt at a class blog.
At the start of 2009, I moved to teaching Grade Two and started the 2KM blog.
I also started this blog, Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom, with the initial goal of sharing ideas and resources. The purpose of this blog is slowly changing from resource sharing to reflection, advice and discussion of issues surrounding technology integration.
Starting this blog involved taking a leap of faith. When I began, I had a handful of readers which has grown exponentially. Many people have mentioned to me that they would like to start a blog but they don’t think anyone would read it. I advise them to take that risk.
I love this quote I read on Twitter today.
The trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more. -Erica Jong
For me, blogging has been an ongoing journey. When preparing for my Tech Talk Tuesdays Elluminate Session last month, I was able to reflect further on this journey.
The following demonstrates how far I’ve come with my class blog in the last three years.
It’s important to realise that, like everything, you can’t know everything straight away.
If you’re just starting on your blogging journey, don’t be overwhelmed by what others are doing and all the possibilities that are out there. Start small and take it one step at a time. Persevere!
Even though I have come so far in the last three years, I am still learning every day. And I love it!
Hi Kathleen,
I have been absolutely inspired by your blog (as well as twitter assistance!) and I have shared it with my Level 2 class – esp your posts about persuasive writing. They also got so excited with the photos from your beach excursion (we studied the sea last term). I had a number of them say “Can we start a blog!!!! I love the fact the children can see into the classroom of children on the otherside of the state/country/world. We have fould fantastic ideas from some US blogs and all I have to do is show a picture and they run with it.
This week I couldn’t help myself and started my own blog with the intention as it being a teacher show and tell space. I will start another blog at the beginning of 2011 with my new class. Starting to think also how to use it alongside the Ultranet … umm… but will wait and see.
I look forward to following your class in the future.
Merry Christmas and Congratulations!
Erin
http://ezramezra.global2.vic.edu.au/
Hi Erin,
Thanks so much for your support! I’m so glad you have started your own blog! You’ll love it.
Your children will love having a blog next year. I’m planning on starting on day one next year, in fact when I meet my new students on Friday we’re going to some blogging and skyping, hopefully that will get them excited about the new year!
As for using alongside the Ultranet – I have a pretty strong opinion that blogging and collaborating with a worldwide audience is a million times more powerful than anything you can do on the Ultranet! So for me, I think blogging and the Ultranet are going to be fairly separate things (except for having links to the blog on the Ultranet).
Keep you your great work, Erin.
Kathleen 🙂
This is an encouraging post for anyone starting blogging. It doesn’t happen over night but it is worth the effort to get results like you have now. It transforms our classroom, our teaching, and ourselves. I’m glad you started and stuck with it! The comparison chart is great!
@ Kelly, thanks! I didn’t realise how far I’d come until I looked back at that 2008 blog and started to make the comparisons. I think sometimes new bloggers are overwhelmed when they see what I’m doing. It’s important they know where I started!
Hi Kathleen
I looked at your original blog, and was struck by the comparison of the writing by the Grade 3 students then, and the writing by the grade 2 students you have had this year.
Having the global audience this year has led to high-quality writing by this year’s younger students.
I am looking at that for one of B4’s blogging goals next year.
I feel we have come a long way since our blog first started on February 17th this year.
I soon found that leaving questions as a comment starter is an important aspect of getting a conversation going.
I also found that as my class changed during the year with students moving in and out, I had to work hard to bring the new children on board, by posting directly about their own work, putting on their names,or showing their photos.
I have realised too, that while I personally like to have links with a number of blogs from other classes, in the end it worked best for the children to focus on two or three that we most often connect with.
It is daunting to start with, but well worth the effort!
Judy
Most of all,
@ Judy,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! It sounds like we have a lot in common with our blogging journeys.
I agree about my old Grade 3s compared to my current Grade 2s. I think Linda Yollis really helped me realise that you can set very high standards for your kids and they will meet them!
Leaving a question was as a comment starter was a big break through for me too. It really helps to encourage conversations and comments.
I couldn’t agree more that you can’t devote time to too many global contacts. I did that last year and I found our connections were less meaningful and a bit overwhelming for both me and the students!
Kathleen 🙂
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Thanks for sharing your story Kathleen,
I saw your presentation in Tech Talk Tuesdays and am also inspired to get into blogging next year. I am starting at a brand new school as the ICT Teacher and think this will be a great activity to do with all of the classes. (Just gotta get my head around now what all of that might look like !)
Also hoping to get into writing more on my own blog ! Finding the time and something to say continue to be the challenge !
@ Scott,
Thanks for watching the Tech Talk Tuesdays presentation. I really encourage you to give blogging a go. It has totally changed my teaching!
A new job at a new school will be exciting!
Writing your own blog is time consuming, I agree. I find that if I am writing a post for the sake of it, I can’t really be bothered. On the other hand, sometimes I get an idea or have a reflective moment and I really want to write about it! There have been times when I was getting ready to go to bed but had an idea and had to write out my post straight away! Blogging is quite addictive!
Good luck,
Kathleen 🙂
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for sharing your experience! Your post gives me hope for my future progress in blogging!!!!
Lyudmila,
Russia
Thanks Lyudmila, good luck!
Hi Kathleen,
Once again, thanks so much for sharing your blogging journey with us, as well on so many wonderful tips on how to make blogs better!
This year I established my first class blog, next year I am teaching grade 2’s again, and I am unsure if I should start a new blog or just continue on with my existing blog? Blogs are not that common in my school either and my current grade 2 children are very keen to keep this years blog going, I was just wondering how you have made this transition in the past? Or what your advice is on maintaining the interest of the children who have moved up to the next grade?
Thanks heaps
Samara
Hi Samara,
You’re very welcome!
It’s great you’re teaching grade two again.
As for keeping/changing your blog. I had the same blog in 2009 and 2010 and it was awesome so I would recommend that, however, there is a rumour that DEECD might be changing Global Teacher/Global Student so if you’re using those platforms I would wait for an announcement about whether they’re going to keep going or not. I know there will be some sort of blogging platform but not sure what it will be.
As for maintaining the interest of kids no longer in your grade, that didn’t really happen for me this year with the 2009 kids. They do lose interest and because you don’t see them I guess there isn’t much you can do. You may find a way around that though!
Good luck,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
I am very new to the world of blogging, having subscribed to a few in the latter part of 2010. I can see so much value in using IT ( I teach Yr 5 techno-savvy students) for myself, my students & their parents. I am encouraged by this post, with the growth -comparison chart & your advice to start slowly & persevere.
Thank you and I know I will be referring & following your blogs closely this year!
Louise
Hi Louise,
Blogging is a steep learning curve and I’ve found you never stop learning! The great thing is there are so many wonderful and helpful bloggers out there, so stick with it!
I teach Grade Two but I’ve helped a Grade Five class with blogging and I just love it. I think it’s perfect for that age group. They pick up things so quickly and really take off!
Good luck,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
I have spent hours (which have flew by!) looking at this blog, your helpful and informative posts, links and your classroom blog.
I am a beginning teacher and so excited about having my own class this year! Over the last year while completing my internship and doing relief I have been thinking about and researching classroom blogs with the aim of starting one with my class for 2011, which will be Year 3. Your blogs have been an inspiration and I know will help guide me through my own journey this year!
As far as I know the school I am at currently doesn’t have any classroom blogs and I know that your feedback and ideas will help me show executive staff and my colleagues of the learning and motivational benefits for the kids.
Thanks so much!
Amy
Hi Amy,
Wow, thank you – I’m so glad you have found my blog helpful!
Congrats on your new job as a Grade Three teachers – I bet your students and their families will love blogging.
I think it’s terrific that you are putting yourself in a position to introduce your new school to blogging. Schools need people like you, well done!
Good luck and hope to hear from you again,
Kathleen
Kathleen,
Your blog is truly inspiring. I can only hope my kids get the same dedication and creativity offered to them in their classrooms!
Good luck and keep on blogging!
Anna