Links and abstracts
Educational blogs and their effects on pupils’ writing
Barrs, M and Horrocks, S (2014)
This research report explores the effect that writing on online blogs can have for primary school pupils. The research project was led by CfBT’s London Connected Learning Centre. The key aim of this study was to explore the differences in pupils’ writing on blogs compared to their other writing. The secondary aims were to investigate the potential for using blogging to develop pupils’ writing skills and to identify good practice in blogging: the elements that supported (or hindered) effective use of blogging to further writing skills.
http://cdn.cfbt.com/~/media/cfbtcorporate/files/research/2014/r-blogging-2014.pdf
The state of Educational Blogging 2013
Waters, S (2013)
The survey was conducted from May 22 – August, 4 2013 and a total of 378 respondents took part.
The survey asked about why educators had blogs and which system they used. The results include a list of benefits cited by respondents
http://www.theedublogger.com/2013/08/08/the-state-of-educational-blogging-2013/
Collaborative Blogging as a Means to Develop Elementary Expositiory Writing Skills
Electronic Journal for the integration of technology in education, Vol. 6, 2007
Small US based study of impact of blogging on attitudes to writing amongst 7 and 8 year old children. Includes empirical evidence based on a pupil survey before and after blogging had been introduced.
http://udel.edu/~aadavis/educ286/docs/Drexler.pdf
Young People’s Writing: Attitudes, behaviour and the role of technology
Clark, C, and Dugdale, G (2009)
A 2009 UK study on the subject of young people’s attitudes towards writing, this report outlines the findings from 3001 pupils aged 8-16 from England and Scotland, who completed an online survey. It identifies a correlation but not causal link between attitude toward writing and blogging.
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/assets/0000/0771/Writing_survey_2009.pdf
Boys and Writing
International Boy’s Schools Coalition (2010)
Collection of action research reports Margo Pickworth report: “this project failed to provide any increase in the volume of writing; however the opportunity to share opinions and ideas globally provided motivation to write more powerfully and with increased confidence in this context.”
Individual opinions on the role of blogging and online writing:
Linda Yollis
Linda Yollis, a primary school teacher based in California, US. Linda has extensive experience of blogging with primary children. This page on her site presents her class and personal response to the question Why have a blog?
http://educational-blogging.wikispaces.com/Why+Have+a+Class+Blog%3F
Kathleen Morris
Kathleen Morris, a primary school teacher based in Victoria, Australia, has been blogging with her class for six years. She identifies a wide range of benefits that include attainment in writing and motivation to write.
http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/2013/03/08/the-benefits-of-educational-blogging/
David Mitchell
David describes the impact that blogging has had on boys motivation to write and on writing attainment in this 2011 article from the Independent
Elysian Eidman-Aadahl
Elysian who heads up the US National Writing project explains the new kinds of writing children need to develop for the digital age ahead. It forms the basis of an argument for blogging.
http://www.edutopia.org/elyse-eidman-aadahl-digital-writing-video
