What is the Purpose of Blogs in an Elementary School Classroom?

The Definition of a BLOG:

Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) are part of a wider network of social media. Micro-blogging is another type of blogging which consists of blogs with very short posts.

Examples of BLOGS in an Elementary Setting:

3rd Grade Teacher:  Mrs. Myrmel's Classroom Blog using one Computer.

http://blogs.oaisd.org/236

Willowdale Elementary School:  Teacher/Student Blogs.

Here at Willowdale some teachers use their blogs as a means of sharing.  Students write, edit, and revise pieces that share classroom happenings.

Elementary teacher who uses blogs for student writing exercises.

Who says elementary kids can't blog!  This teacher write about blogs and their uses in the classroom

http://itc.blogs.com/thewriteweblog/2004/11/who_says_elemen.html

New York Times Article on classroom blogs.

Teachers who use blogs say that students put a lot more thought and effort into their blog writing.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E5D7113FF93AA2575BC0A9629C8B63

Technology Websites on Blogs for Teachers.

http://cherryweb.com/msippel/webpage.html

http://ktw303.blogspot.com/2007/11/technology-in-elementary-classroom.html