Safety Issues!

    Although I consider blogs to be very useful, I also feel they can be dangerous if not used properly, or if they are used without certain restrictions. If I were to create a list of rules for some of my students using a blog, they would be as follows:

 1. Never use your full name (first name or alias only)

2. Never reveal a specific location, only general information such as the closest city

3. Don't respond to posts from people you do not know

4. Be respectful when responding to your classmates' posts

     a. No inappropriate language

     b. No condescending/ demeaning remarks
     c. Use only constructive criticism
     d. ** Understand that everyone is entitled to their own point of view and their own beliefs!
     e. Never post a comment that you wish you could take back. Even if you delete it, you don't know that someone didn't read that comment first and you don't know who you've offended in the process.

    Basically, these rules reflect a need for safety for the students and also a level of respect that the students need to use when using the blog. The students need to follow the first three rules so they don't put themselves in danger by revealing too much personal information about themselves. There are way too many "internet creepers/ stalkers" and I would never want my students to put themselves in harm's way because of our class blog. The last set of rules corresponds with my belief that students should always be respectful of one another, inside of the classroom and out. These rules reflect my strong belief that in order to create a strong classroom community, each student must respect one another and should listen to one another's point of view, even if it is different from their own.

In regards to district policy, there might also be other rules that a district may set in place in order to protect the students. Some districts might not even allow blogs to be used as an educational tool, so it is important that you check with the administration in your school to make sure that blogs are an appropriate tool to use in the district that you are working in.