An+open+or+closed+blog?

= An open or closed blog? =

This is something I'm pretty passionate about. I believe that blogs should be open for the world to read. While a password protected blog has its place and can still provide quality learning opportunities for your class, imagine the opportunities available to you if the whole world can interact with you!

Reasons to make your blog open:
 * parents may be less likely to read the blog if they need to remember and enter a password each time
 * it allows us to teach the children about the safe, appropriate use of technology (if we don't do it, who will be there to teach them about cyber safety and digital footprints when they open a facebook account behind their parent's back at age 10?)
 * global collaboration would be much more difficult if we couldn't experience real-life two-way interactions with other class bloggers
 * its so much more fun and meaningful for the kids when they know that anyone anywhere in the world can read their world

Of course, there do need to be some basic safety guidelines in place. For my class, we don't reveal the name of our school, the town it's in, any last names (even of teachers), I block out any images of school crests or other identifying information and I approve every comment before it's published. Different schools will have different requirements. There are many class blogs that clearly identify the school name and location, as well as the teacher's name, but use first names only for the students. It will be up to your individual school/system what you're allowed to disclose.