Math Blogging for Students

  

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As a frequent blogger about education, I got to thinking about blogging for education. A blog is an ideal way for students to converse, share ideas, and provide each other with feedback. A class can share a blog, writing posts back and forth, or students can each be assigned to write their own throughout the year and to comment on each others’. Often, teachers tend to think of blogging as a medium for English or humanities classes to practice writing skills and critical thinking. But maybe students can benefit from math-focused blogs as well.

An article from the August 2010 issue of THE Journal recounts the story of a math teacher who suggested that one struggling student try asking for help from her peers through the school’s learning management system. Online, the girl, who had felt too embarrassed to participate in class, found it much easier to communicate and ask for clarification on algebra concepts. She even managed to build up her confidence in the classroom.

Why shouldn’t students be able to consult each other from home to share strategies and ideas for problem solving? In the humanities, students are regularly asked to critique each others’ work because collaboration is constructive. Since technology is such an engaging tool, students would probably relish the opportunity to consult with classmates online about challenging math concepts and problems. How have you integrated technology and web-based discussion into your math classroom?

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