reflecting on how the class blog is going

It is tough. We are all busy. A class blog is only as useful as we all make it. Perhaps I should post that on our class blog! But I am thinking out loud here first. Both blog posters neglected to post this week. Leona was already a techie and so she seems to use it frequently. But I can’t tell if they are looking and not posting, or not looking at all. KevinC has mentioned before that he knows how to look at statistics for his blog. I wonder if you have to do any special set-up things for that (probably). But what might be more effective is for the students to each receive an email every time it is updated, in the same way that I receive updates when they post to their research blogs. They did this by entering my email address under settings/email. But what would happen if I had them each go to that spot and enter their own emails? We could try it. Or, I could have them set up RSS feeds for themselves, but: 1. here is yet another technology they would have to learn and use (a newsreader) and 2. those are also only as useful as you make them by checking them. Since I expect them to check email frequently already, they are more accustomed to receiving news about the class that way. I think an email update would be ideal, so I’ll see what I can find out about that.
On a teaching note, it is the classic issue: how do I get studednts to get engaged and motivated. Almost all posted only the 5 required research blog posts and lots of them were lame–doing it just to be done and not doing it to make progress for themselves. Why is this? I had hoped that they would find it useful and continue using it as they progress on their project. Maybe that is the problem: they are focusing on their Subsoil essays this week so that they can finish the portfolio for Tuesday. Maybe I’ll see the isearch work pick up again next week. I am ever the optimist : )