Student Blog Expectations

Students in my classes are required to keep an ePortfolio and to blog their work.  This post provides background and guidelines for the blogging portion of student work. A blog isn’t about being a blog, rather it renders itself as a tool for communicating results, such as:

• Responding to and commenting on curriculum topics as we study them
• Creating written projects/ media projects and commenting on each other’s work
• Reflecting on coursework and individual learning
• Reviewing and sharing study strategies before tests and quizzes
• Practicing taking varied points of view on a topic
• Discussing current events
• Making classroom suggestions
• Creating FAQ pages on curriculum topics

Class blogs are subject to the following rules, which you must agree to:

• I will not use any curse words or inappropriate language.
• I will not use fighting words or provoke anyone.
• I will avoid the use of chat language.
• I will try to spell everything correctly.
• I will only give constructive criticism.
• I will not use my full name, or the name of my classmates.
• I will not plagiarize.

Please note that all posts and comments are moderated for content before being published.

Consequences of Violating the Agreement

I recognize that breaking any of these rules could lead to any of the following consequences depending on severity and repetition:

• warning
• deletion of some or all of the post
• temporary loss of blogging privileges
• permanent loss of blogging privileges
• referral to the school administration

Assessment Rubric for Blog Posts

Category	3	2	1
Content: Topic	Specific topics will vary by assignment but must be related to science.	Topic is related to school, but not necessarily science.	Topic does not relate to science or school.
Content: Body	Post includes a 1-2 paragraphs.	Post is less than 1-2 paragraphs.	Post does not include a summary, but includes a URL to an article.
Sources	Blog post includes a hyperlinked references to additional clarifying information.	Blog post includes a URL to additional information, no hyperlinks.	References  are missing.
Images	Post includes an image with a caption and is hyperlinked to its original source.	Post includes the URL for at least 1 image	Post does not include an image.
Questions		Post includes 2-3 (science-based) questions in your post.	Post does not include questions.
Tags or Labels		Post includes 2-3 labels or tags.	Post is unlabeled and untagged.

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Students Tell Of The Scientist Within

 “The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.” — Henri Poincaré

Students are blogging for their portfolio in chemistry class. Their initial post is an assignment of introducing themselves. Here are student responses to the question “Who is the scientist within you?”:

~  Mariah   ~   David   ~    Gwen   ~   Krystal   ~   Megan   ~   Kevin   ~   Alex   ~   Alena   ~    Dakota   ~   Rachel S   ~   Corey   ~   Skylar    ~   Blaine   ~   Kade   ~   Mike   ~   Molly   ~   Lauren   ~   Jess   ~   Kassidy   ~   Cody   ~   Devin   ~   Cam   ~   Sam   ~   Isabella   ~   Devan   ~   Taressa   ~   Maddie   ~   Rachel D.   ~   Madison   ~   LeeAnne   ~   Nicolette   ~   Olivia   ~   Caitlin   ~   Michaela   ~   Haley   ~   June   ~   Elise   ~   Hannah   ~

“The great thing about science is that it rewards curiosity. We can continue to be childlike and constantly ask why, and not be judged or penalized by it.” — Elaine Chew

We love science!

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