How would I change my blog post?

This week’s activity is an interesting one. I have generally thought that my blog or teacher website were only means to an end. Give the students the information in a straight forward fashion and be on our way. After reading the attached articles I realized that this format has significant shortcomings in both aesthetics as well as retention and interest levels. Thinking of these shortcomings gave me a flash of insight.
While I could just do it myself and hope for the best, the thought occurred to me, why not give the students ownership in their learning adventure? Have a contest to see which student can create the most visually informative class blog or website. While it might seem like a cop out, I think it opens up door for learning creatively along with developing ownership and student responsibility.
Present the students with the idea, dictate what the site must contain, have them read up on current literature, such as the suggested readings from this week and then let them go to work. In the beginning it might be uncomfortable, but the possibilities are intriguing. Student artwork, links, creativity and a promotion of individuality in a modest setting are all outcomes from this idea.
Of course this activity would be greatly enhanced by students involved in tech fields at school, whether it be yearbook, newspaper, school blogs or web design classes. Nonetheless, however they arrive at a successful ends, within certain parameters, seems to me to be a successful and viable endeavor.
Michael Ates