Student Blogs

Take the tech survey

These blogs are written and maintained by high school seniors enrolled in a course to improve their writing skills before they go on to college. I'm sure they would appreciate any and all feedback from the "outside."

prejudice

hunting and fishing

economics

dealing with life's obstacles

baseball (Thomas)

baseball (Ben)

football (Nick)

stereotypes
football (Mikel)
summer activities for families

Young Life

beauty

"Keep the glass half full"

leukemia

Darfur

starting a new school
college vs. high school
how to be a lady
swimming
courage
eating disorders
abuse
ecocritter
cancer
volleyball

Blogs in Plain English

Check out this video that helps describe what blogging is all about . . . really . . .

Blogs in Plain English

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Further Explanation and Examples

Today I was surprised to find how few students seemed to know what a blog is. I figured you would since your generation seems so tech-savy. Not all technology is considered equal, I suppose. Here are some blogs that typify what I would want you to do. David Warlick's blog is all about 21st Century learning and the state of education. He certainly gives his opinion on issues, but he backs it up with research (or begins with the research and shares his opinion on it). You might begin your first blog by finding an article online that you like, linking your blog to it, and providing a quick summary (retelling of main points) and evaluation (opinions on what works/doesn't work).

Think of a blogger's job as writing a reference guide for the "best of the internet" on your topic, linking us to the best stuff but giving us enough info about the sites that we don't HAVE to go there to get the gist, similar to Cool Mom Picks. Further, we need to hear your voice, to hear you, in what you say, so make your opinions clear! I think Will Richardson, the guru of blogging in schools, says it best in his recent post "Willing to be Disturbed." He links this post to an older post by him, a school website, another blog, a book for sale on Amazon, and an online book chapter. All of this is done via hyperlinks, but he doesn't just dump them. He DISCUSSES them, which is what I'd like you to do. Check out his blog. Read it. Seriously.

How to set up your own blog

1. Get a Gmail address. (We will use this all semester.)

2. Start your own blog by going to Blogger.

3. Post a "comment" on this blog that contains your blog address and blog title, which should indicate its topic. If your name is not obvious based on your user ID, post your first name and last initial as well. This "College Writing 2009" page will then become the parent page that will link to everyone's blogs.

4. Never include any personal detail that might get you in trouble. This includes your address, phone number, or any incriminating photos. If you don't want your teachers, a scholarship committee, or your future employers to find it, don't post it!

Introductions

All students are expected to blog weekly in College Writing on their chosen topics.

Each post should be at least 200 words and should begin with a question you want to answer. To answer the question, you will need to:

• Do research online
• Evaluate and summarize websites
• Interview and/or survey others
• Ask questions
• Think critically about the subject
• Form opinions
• Cite what you've found (see class notes)