About our classroom blog
Blogs are online journals. Blogs (web logs) are websites where administrators can add posts that are displayed in reverse chronological order. There are panels on the side (sidebars) where you can find past posts, recent comments, count global visitors and discover links to other content. We will use our blog to add information about what is happening in our classroom and to connect with parents and classes around the world.

Why blog?
Class blogs support learning. Topics and investigations can be shared with a wide audience. Parents, relatives and friends can view the blog and leave comments. Having a blog helps to strengthen home-school partnerships and builds a sense of classroom community.

Using blogs is a great way for students to improve ICT skills and get experience using technology. Students improve their literacy skills while blogging. Blogging provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about appropriate online behaviours. Some of the most rewarding experiences from blogging are the global connections that are made as people communicate with blogging buddies from all over the world.

Safety
It is really important to be aware of safe online behaviours. Through blogging, students will have the opportunity to learn about appropriate online behaviours in an authentic and supervised setting. The following guidelines will ensure the safety of students when blogging.

• Students will only be identified by their first name or by initials.
• Until students are given their own blogs, all posts and comments will be checked (moderated) before they are published on the class blog.
• Posts will NEVER include personal details about students such as addresses or family information.
• Parents who leave comments are asked to use student first names or initials only.
• All students must abide by the blogging rules listed below.

Our Classroom Blogging Rules
• Blogging is part of our classroom work so classroom rules apply; we are respectful, courteous, safe and responsible at all times. When writing comments and posts the tone is important. Everyone should feel safe, appreciated and respected.
• No personal information, including photos, full names or addresses should be posted.
• Do not share usernames or passwords.
• Remember all comments and posts will be read by teachers, classmates, and family members; post responsibly.
• Agree and disagree politely and support your ideas with evidence and examples. Make your comments relevant.
• Proofread your work before publishing. Check for capital letters, full stops, correct spacing and other punctuation. Check that your sentences make sense. Do not use abbreviations such as lol; keep emoticons and exclamation marks to a minimum.
• Read posts and comments carefully before you add other comments. Compliment the writer in a specific way, ask a question or add new information in your comment to continue the thread.
• Respect copyright by asking permission and/or acknowledging sources.

Sharing our Learning

Blogging isn’t just about writing posts; it’s about sharing our learning and reflecting on what we have learned. Important parts of the blogging process will include encouraging students to:

• Read each others posts
• Interact and comment on each others posts by challenging each others thoughts and views
• Write posts in response to each others posts

If you notice something amiss (incorrect spelling or punctuation, inappropriate tone, any errors) in our blog please let us know.
‘Mistakes teach you important lessons. Every time you make one, you’re one step closer to your goal. The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to do nothing simply because you’re too scared to make a mistake’.

What blogging rules do you think we need to devise to make our blog a safe and enjoyable forum for writing?

Can you suggest some rules in the comments section below?

Thanks to Mrs Morris and Miss Jordan at 4KM and 4KJ’s blog, Leopold Primary School in Victoria for giving their permission to use some of their ideas in these guidelines.