Classroom Websites and Blogs

Recently I took a look at some classroom websites, which are created for the students in the classroom rather than other teachers. I really love the idea of using a website to connect myself and my (future) students beyond the walls of our (future) classroom. I think that using a classroom website would also help make classroom content and activities available to families so that all students can answer the question “What did you to in school today?” with confidence and evidence. My (future) classroom website would also be a place for me (the teacher) to answer questions, post helpful videos, and provided other supports for my students when they are not in my class. Although a classroom website is a very useful tool I will need to keep in mind that some students do not have access to internet, so I will make sure that access to our classroom website is not a requirement but rather an option. Having a classroom website will be a very good resource for my students and me.

As I was looking at various classroom websites a couple stood out to me. The first classroom website that I like is Huzzah! This classroom blog is well-organized and the overall layout is easy to navigate. On this blog there are also links to the student’s own personal blogs which is such a neat idea. I think that having students create and maintain their blogs help them take charge of their learning as well as participate in a different setting other than the classroom (which can help them stay engaged). Another blog that I really like is Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog. I like how this blog focuses on learning and building friendships among the students. There are plenty of academic post (videos, writing, reading, etc.) but there are also post just for the students to share a story or photo. I like this idea because it helps the students have fun and get to know their classmates in new and exciting way. Both of these blogs model a classroom that is embracing technology and progressing student learning.