Blogging for Students #ditchbook style!

#ditchbook Style Writing for Students

It's almost the end of my Spring Break, so now's a great time for catching up on some reading!  As I was Reading Matt Miller's Ditch That Textbook I had an idea for how students can write Blogs without using a blogging site.  This may be a way to get the same results without stressing teachers with learning a new program just by using Google Slides (which most of the students already know how to do) instead.  I have to remember that not all teachers like technology as much as I do. 😉​

"Blogging" with Google Slides

Create Content & Read, Write, Share - these two chapters in the book got me thinking!

In his A-to-Z list of ideas, Matt says, "Turn student writing into a digital and collaborative activity.  Students publish blog posts and classmates read others' work and add comments."  When I think digital and collaborative, I think of the amazing power of GSuite for Education.  

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Step 1: Create a Slides template for students to use.
I pictured the first slide as an "about me" page that the students can create themselves.  If you want to give them some guidance on what to include, that's fine.  Or even better... you can create one for yourself as your Teacher Blog and show them as an example. 

Step 2: Change the layout of your Slides 
If you want them to be able to print them or save as a PDF book at the end of year, change the slide size to be paper size.  I usually change it to be 8 x 10.5 inches so it fits nicely on a sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch printer paper.  You can change this setting by going to File  Page Setup  Custom  then type in 8 and 10.5 in the boxes making sure it says "inches" after the measurements.   The GIF below will walk you though the steps.
Note: If you want to make a GIF yourself, using Gyazo GIF is an easy way to do it! 

Step 3: Share as an assignment in Google Classroom 
Once you are done creating your blog template, you can share it with your students in Google Classroom.  If you add it from Google Drive, then you will have the option to force make a copy per student so they don't edit your template.  It looks like the image below.  Make sure to choose the last option "Make a copy for each student", then assign. 

Ways for others to view the "Blog"

1. Students can share the link in Google Classroom so other students can comment on their posts.  If you want them to be able to edit, you'll just have to go over the procedures for commenting on others' work.  Suggestion: Have them make comments in the presentation note section in this format (name: comment). 
2. Students can create a QR code for their Blog to post somewhere in the classroom or around school so others can view.  I would keep this as view or comment only since you have less control over who sees the Blog.  
3. The teacher can create a page on her website with the students names or pictures that will link to their Blog. 
4. My favorite idea done by a teacher friend of mine is to take a picture of your students holding a paper version of their QR code and posting it outside the classroom.  It's a great way to have parents, visitors or other students engage in their work.  The picture of the QR code will still work as if you just printed the QR code.   You can also use this idea if you want students to create a "Best Work" folder.  Just make a QR code of the folder link.  
5. Any other ideas?  Make comment below or tag me on Twitter with your idea!  Use the #slidesblogging and tag @specialtechie so I can see and share your ideas.  ​

Thanks for reading! ~Pam