Many platforms and tools allow students to publish online. These options have their pros and cons. Edublogs, CampusPress, and CampusPress use a custom version of WordPress. WordPress is the preferred tool for professional bloggers and online publishers.
Irene Mitchell is an educational freelance writer, who is experienced in writing for students, parents, and the ones asking to do my homework now.
WordPress is also an excellent option for students. This is why!
A brief overview of WordPress
WordPress is a content management platform that powers millions of websites around the world.
On May 27, 2003, WordPress’s first version was available for download. It just celebrated its 15th anniversary!
WordPress is simply the software you can download for free (but must be hosted somewhere that usually incurs charges).
WordPress is open-source, which means that it is developed and maintained by a worldwide community of volunteers. This is why WordPress is so popular.
Plugins allow users to extend the functionality of WordPress sites and customize the site’s look and feel with various themes.
WordPress can be used on any device, even mobiles.
Five Reasons WordPress is the Best Choice for Students
1) It’s straightforward, but not the ‘easiest
WordPress’s greatest advantage is that, despite the fact that it has advanced features, you don’t have to be an expert in all of them to succeed. You can use only the most important publishing features, and leave the rest to the experts.
Even if you don’t have any coding skills, anyone can create a functional and appealing website. There are many options available to everyone.
Teachers may choose a platform that is easier and has a low learning curve. These platforms can be helpful starting points, but it doesn’t always mean that they are better.
You might have to give up some features, flexibility, authenticity, growth, customization or flexibility once you start.
2) The Power Of Authenticity
We can’t ignore the fact that WordPress powers around a third on the web. WordPress is a real tool.
K-2 teachers might choose to begin with a platform designed for schools only. This is a good decision. This is a problem because educators don’t make the transition to a better platform for students as they move through their education and life.
3) Students can do more than you might think!
My teaching experience spans from 7-10 years. My student bloggers have amazing skills, including modifying HTML codes and sourcing and attribution of Creative Commons images. They also create and embed media and write authentically.
This was often done through peer tutoring. One student might solve a problem. One student might notice the other and ask their classmate for help. It’s a great feeling to witness this kind of learning in action in your classroom.
These skills include problem-solving, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. Aren’t they the ones we want to see in our students?
Do we really want to teach our students everything? Are we really limiting functions to make it easier for students to choose the buttons?
You might be surprised by the results of making something moderately difficult, meaningful, and open-ended to students.
4) Versatile
WordPress was once a platform for blogging. However, this has changed.
A WordPress site can be static, dynamic, or with plugins and settings. It can also include a blog component. You have the freedom to choose!
This allows you to tailor your services to meet the specific needs of your school and students. Your learning goals and intentions are the most important. Technology comes second.
5) Online Hub
You don’t have to say no to any of the amazing web tools available when you use a WordPress-based platform. You can even embrace them!
Blogs are simply blank pages that you can use as your online home. You can also add images, digital and analog, to your blog, as well as text. You can also add widgets and plugins to enhance your functionality.
There are many ways to connect, learn, create and share information. Silvia Tolisano states, “A blogfolio can be like glue that holds all the pieces together.”
