Because of my previous history with blogging (W200), I have not found the blogging world as beneficial as intended. Although it is very important to have a blog, especially in the classroom, keeping up on various information is hard. Well written blogs are going to include ones thoughts which may not always be important to others and chosing what to blog about is something that I will have a hard time with.
When entering a classroom setting, using blogs and online tools will narrrow the student and teacher gap just as the article stated. Trying to keep up with technology, students gain a better respect and need to feel more involved. I liked the idea that in the middle school classroom a 2 way journal between the teacher and student to help gramatical and writing skills. Using blogs in a younger classroom would draw many problems becuase of their typing ability, computer literacy, and the time that it takes out of the classroom. An idea that I would have for the early elementary schools is if there was a blog for the "student of the week" and they would be able to type their own biography with pictures of themselves and their family to let the students feel recognized.
Leanna, I think your "student of the week" blog idea is a great one! Seeing themselves being recognized in a place as vast as the internet would be exciting for young children. Students could also develop their typing skills but not be overwhelmed with the task of typing a blog on a weekly basis. My only concern would be that some parents wouldn't want pictures of themselves or their children on the internet. I wonder if this was an issue that Beth ever encountered? Maybe we can ask her about it.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate to not having a good previous blogging experience due to W200. They made it more of a chore than something that could actually be beneficial in the classroom. But I think now progressing as a future teacher it's easier for me to see ways that blogging can be incorporated in the classroom for useful purposes.
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