“That's Online Writing, Not Boring School Writing”: Writing With Blogs and the Talkback Project

The Talkback Project used blog software to involve eighth‐grade language arts students, preservice teachers, and parents in online discussion of young adult novels and their personal connections with them. The author shares the challenges associated with the project—including the implications of Internet safety and legal concerns associated with technology integration—but argues that classroom blogging provides positive opportunities for students to Develop their digital fluency Strengthen traditional literacy skills Apply real‐life 21st‐century skills in a safe and monitored environment