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Blogging may arguably be the most versatile digital tool to be introduced into the classroom. The concept seems simple enough: write what you'd like and comment on what others have written. Though basic, this framework opens up a world of possibilities for developing literacy skills.
A blog gives students a platform to analyze texts, demonstrate understanding, pull evidence to support their claims, and write on central themes from within a text. In a post, students can mix in multimedia and link to additional resources to both demonstrate a depth of understanding and offer readers additional learning opportunities. In this process, students are not only building on what was read, but also curating their knowledge.
The other key component of blogging is the ability to comment on what others have posted. Students can now add to the conversation, ask questions, and even politely disagree. Though seemingly simple, students are analyzing and evaluating their peers' writing, comparing their ideas and building new ones in the process.
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One of the primary responsibilities of any early childhood educator is to foster the development of early literacy. The importance of mastering reading and writing skills for students of this population cannot be underestimated; studies have shown that students who do not read on grade level by the time they reach the third grade very rarely recover. Today's generation of students learn differently than their predecessors. The facilitation of technology integration into any learning curriculum can be an effective way to maximize student achievement.
