Blog

Blog

A blog is short for web log which is an online, regularly updated journal or newsletter that is readily accessible to the general public by virtue of being posted on a website. On our school and class blog sites you will be able read about and see the learning that is happening at Silverstream. It is not just one way however! On these blogs you are able to post back your ideas, thoughts and opinions so we can all connect around our focus on learning.

We see the educational benefits as:

At Silverstream School we see a blog as a fantastic way to;

•       Connect with our school community and outside it (if Nana lives over in England or Napier – she can see what you have been learning and doing also)
•     Communicate with our school community – give information and receive information and feedback at times that suit you (doesn't have to be within school hours)
•     Children are able to be part of creating and sharing their learning through these sites
•     Children and teachers are developing writing, reading, visual, creative, innovative knowledge and skills
•     Blogging is low cost (part of our/ your internet connection)
•     Blogging increases your knowledge – you can share your learning, but also learn from other people's thinking etc.
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Aspects we need to be aware of and are continuing to develop ideas and safety around:

• Our school blogs are in public spaces – so anybody can access them (you are able to make private space blogs).
• subsequently we are continually working on developing our children to be ‘safe’ digital users. Students who are aware of safety issues and practise using online spaces safely.
• the school has a Computer Use agreement that is signed by all children and their families every year.
• http://www.netsafe.org.nz/   This site provides advice for young people, parents and educators.
• guidance for parents - decide how much online time you want your children having.
• guidelines also suggest having the computers, ipads etc. in a space where you are, so you are able to monitor your children’s use.
• not all our families have access to the internet. There is a computer in both our library and our front entrance that is available for families to connect on to our blogs, Facebook page, website, and twitter account.