International School Blog Research

Toa's Troops

Toa's Troops is a 5th grade class (18 students) at Shanghai American School, CHINA. One of the first items I noticed was the option to choose the language of the blog. One click on the French flag and BOOM - every word on the site instantly changed from English to French. I also learned that China is celebrating their New Year right now. This site features homework assignments including specific math problems. It also includes the entire Obama Inauguration Speech video as well as photos from their Open House.

What impressed me the most is that these 18 students in FIFTH GRADE each have their own individual Blog. Our class is just now learning how to blog while 5th graders in China are already blogging! To be honest, that's a little bit intimidating.

District School in Tasmania, Australia

Because I have a 7th grader, I decided to check out what other 7th graders are doing outside the US. I found a in "District school" in Tasmania, Australia that participates in a "Blog Challenge" which includes 9 countries. Students must first earn the right to create their blog. They do this by posting comments on other blogs and also by proving that they are "internet savvy".

Students must also complete a CyberQuoll course on internet safety. I feel this is super important because while we see the computer as an educational resource, others (unfortunately) see it as a predatory tool. Kids should know what information is safe to share with the world.