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Don Ledingham

Thursday 31 August 2006

My youngest son, Lewis, is just starting his fifth year at school. He's a bit like his dad was at school - keen on sport, disorganised and with a pathological aversion to study.

A couple of weeks ago he agreed to let me help him set up a study blog - I first saw this idea on one of Ewan's posts - Lewis wasn't at all convinced that there was any merit in the idea but if it would keep me quiet he was up for anything.

We went to wordpress and set up a blog format that he liked. We then set up categories which matched all the subjects he is taking. Since the beginning of term we've spent half and hour a night putting together his blog. He takes a subject a night and puts together notes from each subject. Rather than copying out notes verbatim he uses hyperlinks.

The surprising thing is that he is enjoying the experience - I was amazed to hear that he had told some of his friends at school who now want to try the same thing.

For the first time in his life he has all his notes in one place - as opposed to being all over his bedroom floor. We set up sub-categories for each subject which will enable him to call up notes for each topic. Obviously the test will come when he starts to access the information for assessments, etc.

I hope to gradually withdraw from the process but he seems to like having me with him just now. Over the next few weeks I'd like to try to get him to comment on his notes and engage with the information by offering his own reflections - but I think this might be a while away.

I won't put up a link to his site as he deserves some privacy but I will keep you posted on progress. If you have any suggestions about how he could make good use of this process to assist his learning I'd appreciate hearing from you.

His brother - who starts Edinburgh Universioty in two weeks now wants me to set up something similar for him.

Is there something in this? - particularly for boys?

 

Comments

Study Blog

Carol Thomas

Saturday 09 September 2006

Don and Judy,

I found it so interesting to read about this application, as I started something fairly similar for my doctoral studies. I have blogs for each course... and I have one overarching Wiki. The wiki, at the moment, is private... I use it as a repository for most of my "stuff". It is starting to look like my desk... so I have to get disciplined and organize it. The blog I'm most actively engaged in is for my studies in Technology, Learning and Teaching where I'm focusing on the use of technology for graduate -- specifically doctoral -- studies. You're welcome to peek at it. It's very much a "newbie" blog. (tltknowlegelog.wordpress.com).

I wonder, with you, if there is something to this -- especially for boys. Wish I'd had this tool when my son was in high school!

Peace,
Carol

Study Blogs

Judy O'Connell

Saturday 09 September 2006

I was really interested to read this application of blogging. This is something to explore further for sure - though I wonder if wiki might work for more indepth work? The study blog allows some good reflective writing I know, and wordpress allows good use of categories. Definitely something to explore with kids. The rest of your conversations with John Connell are also really interesting. I'm going to add this thinking to my thoughts! and maybe talk further with John when he visits in Australia. Cheers, Judy

PKC Participation?

Neil Winton

Friday 01 September 2006

I would be delighted to take part. I've read the supporting page you directed me to, and do have a group of pupils in mind who might benefit.
I will need to clear it with my SMT, and also PKC, but I'm fairly certain they will be amenable (Our new Director Of Education is believed to be very keen on technology solutions, and had a proven record in Buckinghamshire of implementing innovative work.). If so, I might be able to make the meeting on September 13th.

Should we take this discussion off-forum while we iron out the details?
My school email is: nwinton at perthacademy.pkc.sch.uk, or I am also scottishteacher at gmail.com

I look forward to working with you.

Projects

Don

Friday 01 September 2006

I understood that you were outside our authority but the offer is still there. It would involve you and some volunteer students. It would be up to you to approach your Headteacher for permission and to inform the local authority. Thereafter we would share everything with you. I suppose it might link well with pupils writing in S1/2 so could match in with existing work. Pupils would mainly complete the projects at home - but might need some assistance and direction - librarians could have an imprtant role. This is very much an evolving idea - as you have probably gathered.

Exc-el participation

Neil Winton

Friday 01 September 2006

Don,
I would be interested in finding out more and possibly participating, but I should point out I teach at Perth Academy in Perth & Kinross Council so may have to rule myself out.

Let me know if you'd still be interested in having an 'outsider' and what would be involved.

Cheers,
Neil W

Study blogs

Don

Friday 01 September 2006

Ewan

Thanks for the link. The only difference here is that my son's blog is being done independently of the school and his teachers. I'll pick up on some of the ideas contained within the links.

Neil

Would you be interested in taking part in our Exc-el project approach with pupils from your own school? see http://www.exc-el.org.uk/content/index.php/main/weblogs/don_s_blog/curriculum_for_excellence_projects

I'm convinced that boys will take to this form of learning in a very positive way.

Learning blogs

Ewan

Friday 01 September 2006

Some examples and the action research done at Musselburgh Grammar School that backs up the idea:
http://edu.blogs.com/edublogs/social_software_and_able_pupils_action_research/index.html

Study Blogs

Neil Winton (http://nwinton.wordpress.com)

Thursday 31 August 2006

Don,
I read this post with great interest, especially your comment at the end about there (possibly) being something in this for boys. Do you ave a link to the actual post on Ewan's blog that you reference at the start? I tried to search for it and was offered over half a million hits... I won't live long enough to follow them all up!

Cheers,
Neil W

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