If you're thinking about assigning student blogs, you'll want be judicious with this tool: The terms of service specify that users must be at least 13 years old. Also, students trying to manage multiple blogs for different content areas might get overwhelmed. Rather than having students set up individual blogs, you could create a class blog to which students can contribute. WordPress allows up to 35 users to be invited to each blog, so a class could easily contribute to blogs collaboratively in class or from home.
Continue readingWordPress is a free blogging platform that students can access via this app or online at WordPress.com. Students 13 and up can use the app for the iOS or Android device to create and manage WordPress blogs. Once registered, students can post blog entries with text, photos, or video as well as manage their blog's templates and design, approve comments, and adjust its settings. In addition, students can use the Reader tab to read blogs they follow or search for blogs on subjects of interest. While most of the web-based features are available in the app, there are some notable mobile-only functions, like voice-recognition dictation to post blog entries and one-tap picture posting for images and videos from the device's camera roll.
For teachers creating their own classroom blogs, they can use the WordPress apps on mobile devices to simplify the setup process. Most of the features are actually more accessible (and easier to find) in the app than they are online; typing on the touchscreen rather than a keyboard is the main difference that might slow posting down for students and teachers alike.
An easy way for teens to update their blogs and publish writing for an authentic audience, WordPress is a media production tool that lets students learn online publishing basics and experiment with various forms of digital storytelling and creation. Students can learn to refine their writing by publishing it; over time, they'll hone their skills for effectively using technology to communicate their ideas.
Blogs can give students an easy, fun way to publish their writing as well as get feedback. However, comments may not always be kind or (with the proliferation of spam) relevant. Careful application of safety measures, such as making the blogs private or password-protected, should help. Students can learn to understand the recursive process of writing and continue to revise and edit even after their work is published electronically.