Unit Objectives:

• identify the purpose behind blogging
• become familiar with blogging practices 
• identify ways blogging can be used to teach/practice 21st century skills  
• design a lesson that uses blogging to teach/practice 21st century skills

Activity 1: Introduction to Blogging

Focus Question: What is blogging?

Read through the well-designed Blogging Tutorial found on the following link: http://www.blogbasics.com/blog-tutorial-1-1.php.

Quick Content Review: Blogging means you write blogs. Blogs are web-based journals or entries that can range in purpose, use, and level of interaction.

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Activity 2: The Varying Uses of Blogging

Focus Question: In what different ways can blogs be used?

Blogs have different purposes, uses, and levels of interactivity.  Any individual, group, or organization can benefit from a blog.  This activity will help you see the differing uses of blogs in actions.

Visit each of the following websites listed on the attached worksheet (each one represents a different type of blog) complete the graphic organizer (Blog Analysis Data Collection Sheet.pdf ). The data sheet asks you to explore and analyze the blog in terms of purpose, audience, structure, and level of interaction.

Compare your answers to the answer key, located here: Blog Analysis Answer Key.pdf

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Activity 3: Analyzing Lesson Plans that Utilize the Blog

Focus Question: Specifically, how can blogging be used in the Social Studies Classroom?

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Activity 4: Designing your own Lesson Plan

Focus Question: How can blogging be utilized in your classroom?

Think about a specific 21st Century Skill (or multiple skills, but simplicity is helpful when first starting) and aspect of Social Studies that is relevant to your curriculum and brainstorm a lesson plan.  Focus on the following questions:

• What skill are you teaching, practicing, or applying?
• What social studies content are you teaching, practicing, or applying?
• How will blogging be used to teach the above?

If you'd like to share your Blogging lesson plan, please post it in the comment section below.

Lesson 5: Reflecting on 21st Century Skills Technologies - What will your 21st Century Classroom Look Like