Blog Saftey

• Make sure that the school, administration and parents are aware and on the same page about the role a blog will play in your classroom.
• Ensure that students can't be identified - use only first names or generic pseudonymous and make sure students know not to post any identifying details about themselves, friends or family, location and school.
• Clearly explain to students that they are expected to conduct themselves on the blog just as they would in the classroom - using appropriate language and responding helpfully and respectfully to classmates.
  
• If possible, enable some comment moderation so nothing unsuitable or inappropriate can be posted.
• Limiting blog access so only students, parents, teachers and administrators have access to the blog. If possible remove it from search engine features and make it private.
• Having students and parents sign a permission slip stating that they will not share or give out the blog address, user log-ins and passwords.
• Consider a class blog as opposed to individual student blogs, this will make it easier to monitor content.

My problem lies in the fact that my district blocks all wikis/blogs from use in the classroom. I can most certainly work around this with a quick meeting with my tech team, but I would first have to prepare a statement on their usefulness in the classroom.