An e-friend of mine has been asked to give a talk at a homeschool conference about blogging.  Here are some of the questions (and my answers) she posed as she researches the questions about the blogosphere for homeschool moms and students. 

To my fellow homeschool bloggers,  what advice or experience would you like to share if you were given the opporunity to speak at a homeschool conference about blogging?  If you'd like to contribute your own entry on the topic, link back here in the comments section so we can read it, OR just leave your comments here.  I'd personally love to hear if you are using your own blog for academic purposes.

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Posted by Somerschool

Sort of. My article, "Is Blog a Four-Letter Word?" should be coming out pretty soon in Home Schooling Today. I love what you've put here--especially the part about parents learning to blog FIRST. Right on!

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Posted by TeachingDad

1. Currently just this blog
2. We first discovered blogs last year. A friend's son fell from a building and we followed his progress and the families life over the next year as tragedy and blessing abounded. Through the recover of there son, lose of a dear friend, lose a a daughter, and a tree falling on there home.
3. None
4. I started my blog for fun, a way to attempt to keep up with daily life and well I'm still working on the daily thing
Alway Learning, Always TeachingDad

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Posted by TeacherPerson

I really appreciate your posting this question here for me. I just set up a homeschool blogger account last night because I was so impressed with the format and with the other posters. I'll check back often!

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Posted by spunkyhomeschool

Blogging is just a tool, like a pencil or anything else. It is what you as a family decide to use it for that makes the difference. And then that becomes its role in the homeschool. That role may change as you learn how to use it more effectively as well. The difference in the family is in the maturity of those employing it. When my two year old picks up a pencil she uses it foolishly writing on any surface. Before I let have one I train her in its use. That's my role. The same is true for blogging. If my 10 year isn't trained in the use of the internet and proper writing, then they have little use for blogging yet. They need to be trained in the privacy of the home before they make their thoughts public. Allowing them to blog before this happens is a mistake in my opinion.

I have more thoughts, but those are some of my initial thoughts.

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Posted by TRINITYPREPSCHOOL

I appreciate your point, Spunky, and agree completely.

I have had my 13 year old write entries in a Word document and save it for my editing/stamp of approval before it's posted. Some pre-posts never make it to her blog. I like that she's writing, but kids have a blurred line when it comes to privacy and relevance sometimes. And on the other hand, she surprises me with great writing at times too, which makes blogging a viable platform for learning.

I think moms, new at blogging, would do well to heed your advice. Your analogy with blogging as an academic tool is excellent.

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Posted by

Also relevant for 2006 would be how to use ipod's in homeschooling.

One thing I passionately believe both in homeschooling and blogging is to be true to yourself. Know what works best for you and go with it.
Just like in in our home-education styles, blogging can take on many styles and uses. I humbly state that there is no one "right" way to blog anymore than there is one "right" to home-educate our children. Using it as a way to bring support, encouragement and friendship to our home-education process has been great.

My daughter enjoys her blogging friendships. She is also become more of a creative writer. I do let her make entries without my prior approval. But we talk about internet safety, how to carry ourselves in a public forum, why somethings need to be kept private, etc. as part of our daily life. So I'd have to add that blogging has helped with character building. I also always maintain the editoral right at anytime and have deleted entries because of poor spelling, punctuation and grammar. This has improved her writing process.

I say to any newbie to blogging, jump in and have fun. Don't be worried about doing it just "right". I am still learning to though.

Best wishes on your speaking engagement. You'll do a great job.
Linda

Edited by FaithfulGrace on Jun. 29, 2006 at 8:01 AM

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Posted by spunkyhomeschool

Here is a post I wrote that you may want to pass along to your friend.

Successful Bloggers and Homeschoolers

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Posted by spunkyhomeschool

Here's a post that you may want to pass along to your friend

Successful Bloggers and Homeschoolers

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