Blogs have been in use for years, but it is more recently that teachers are including them as a learning tool in the classroom, as it provides many positive aspects to their students.

When speaking about blogging in a classroom, we are running away from the academic writing and practicing informal writing, which in many occasions takes off pressure and gives a voice to our students in a “safe environment”. This doesn’t mean that it may be also used to publish assignments and essays, which do contribute to share and educate in particular topics and to practice writing.

Blogging is great way to take literacy across the curriculum, it may be used for all kinds of subjects, such as maths, science, sports, languages, etc. They are a great way to share ideas, make comments, open discussions and engage in critical reflection.

In a classroom we may find children less interested in certain topics or in writing, but creating a comfort zone with a relaxed and fun of writing we can help students to find more enticing getting involved and participating in this classroom activity that may improve their writing skills.

The interaction that we are fostering and the exchange between students when using a blog will benefit as well pupils to identify their preferences and even explore new subjects. Another positive aspect about blogging is that “if they know more people are reading and listening to them, that creates more engagement”, as Ross Campbell from Hälsingland Education Association (HEA), points out in his interview with CRISS.

Instead of bulletin boards, teachers can use this online tool to inform about activities, classroom events, to create groups and at the same time to keep students and parents up to date with events in class. Specially those schools that are located in a rural area or smaller cities where students are very apart, it can help to bring them together and facilitate communication.