JT Learn Has Blogs?

“I didn’t know JT Learn had BLOGS.  How could I use a blog with my classes?”

Yes, teacher can create blogs within JT Learn to use with classes and much like the survey tool, it is very versatile. 

What is a blog?

1. “A Web site that contains online personal reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer” (Merriam Webster)
2. “A website that displays postings by one or more individuals in chronological order and usually has links to comments on specific postings”  (The Free Dictionary)

Interesting Facts according to Cameron Chapman: Chicago native, Justin Hall, is credited as starting the first blog in 1994 while on break from college.  At that time it was his personal webpage, but the term “weblog” was coined a few years later in 1997. And by the end of 2010, there were more than 152 million active blogs (Webdesigner Depot).

Teachers who use classroom blogs find it a useful tool to engage students at many levels.  Take a look at this top ten list created with input from two Joliet Township Central High School teachers: Jeff Jakob and Stephanie Phillips.

Creating a JT Learn Blog for classroom use is accomplished using Feature Builder.  Feature Builder will allow teachers to name the blog, answer set-up questions, and then Feature Builder does the creation and set-up.  

A Peek at Jakob's Class Blog

Jakob and Phillips both use a class blog within JT Learn and offer a couple “Tips and Tricks” for other teachers who want to give using a class blog a try. 

“Practice posting with the students. Give them specific directions and do a post every week or bi-weekly so they get used to posting and how to post.”  - Stephanie Phillips

“The JT Learn blog has replaced my “assignment submission’ folder and I even use this blog to allow students to take notes in a ‘Twitter’ fashion that they really like. The opportunities are endless.” – Jeff Jakob

Happy Blogging!

Works Cited

"Blog." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blog>.

"Blog." The Free Dictionary. Farlex. Web. 6 Feb. 2015.        
           <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/blog>.

Chapman, Cameron. "A Brief History of Blogging." Webdesigner Depot RSS. 14 Mar. 2011. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. <http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/03/a-brief-history-of-blogging/>.