Using Blogs in Science Education

After my students and I were nominated for an Edublog Award I received quite a few emails from educators asking me how I use the blog in my classes. I’ve even been asked to guest speak at a University education class! In order to open up the conversations I’ve been having with educators to everyone rather than keeping them confined to emails, I’ve created this blog.

So, why use blogs in biology education? My students answer that question best. The following are a few excerpts from a survey my 9th grade (14-15 year old) students completed yesterday after a full semester of blogging. They wrote these responses anonymously.

I learned a lot about biology and how it relates to our everyday life.

I learned more about biology and learned how to better use websites to communicate.

I improved my researching skills.

I now have a better understanding of the world around me and I got to see many issues around the world.

I improved my writing and analytical skills by responding to different posts and by answering different questions that the person who wrote the posts asked. I also learned new facts about different animals and many important current events.

I learned how beneficial student discussion is.

The blog project really helped me see the new advances made in science. It also helped me see my classmates opinions.

I learned about current events.

I benefited from this project because it helped me learn about topics that I probably would not have ever heard about if it were not for the blog.