I just tried to comment on Bloggerstein's blog, and nothing happened. Three times. I don't know if it is the computer (I'm on a district computer...) or if there is something going on with blogspot. If anyone reading this knows of a "trick" to leave comments, please let me know!
In other news... I am getting more and more excited to use this blog with my students and with parents. It will be much easier for me to work with this site than with Edline. I - hopefully - will be able to just post a link to this blog right on Edline. Are other 23Thing bloggers planning on using the blog after the class is over?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thing 3
How might a blog support the work you do? How might you use a blog with students? How might they respond to a blog assignment? What concerns do you have about educational blogging?
Blogging may be a very worthwhile endeavor. I can use a blog to keep a calendar of assignment due dates, offer students opportunities to ask questions, and place links to turnitin.com and classzone.com - sites students have to use for my class. It would also be a place for parents to get some information about class.
I don't really have concerns about education blogging. I think my students would enjoy interacting in this way, since so many are on-line for a few hours a day already. It may also give students who shy away from speaking in class a chance to have a voice.
Thing 2
The worst part of making this blog was finding a name that wasn't already taken!
I have been posting personal blogs for a few years. I love being able to write again. As an English teacher, I tend toward hyperbole and metaphor. I like to explore my world and my thoughts through these lenses. My blog posts are only available for my friends to read, so I have freedom to express my real thoughts and feelings - and get their feedback. It is like an interactive diary. I follow several blogs as well. I don't know any other single moms who have young children, and Ms. Single Mama's blog has put me in contact with other single mothers around the world. We have a community of support and understanding thanks to Alaina's blog. Matt Logelin's blog makes me believe in true love. His wife died a day after their daughter was born, and he shares his painful journey of adjusting to life without her and single-parenthood with the world in prose and photographs. Right now I am following him and his beautiful daughter whiel they travel through India.
A professional blog is a different animal, though. If parents and students are using the blog as an information gathering tool, I have to be sure to update often. And I need to learn how to add word docs to my blogs. But having a professional blog, giving my students direct access to both my class and myself, is an intriguing idea. I may have to try it out...
I have been posting personal blogs for a few years. I love being able to write again. As an English teacher, I tend toward hyperbole and metaphor. I like to explore my world and my thoughts through these lenses. My blog posts are only available for my friends to read, so I have freedom to express my real thoughts and feelings - and get their feedback. It is like an interactive diary. I follow several blogs as well. I don't know any other single moms who have young children, and Ms. Single Mama's blog has put me in contact with other single mothers around the world. We have a community of support and understanding thanks to Alaina's blog. Matt Logelin's blog makes me believe in true love. His wife died a day after their daughter was born, and he shares his painful journey of adjusting to life without her and single-parenthood with the world in prose and photographs. Right now I am following him and his beautiful daughter whiel they travel through India.
A professional blog is a different animal, though. If parents and students are using the blog as an information gathering tool, I have to be sure to update often. And I need to learn how to add word docs to my blogs. But having a professional blog, giving my students direct access to both my class and myself, is an intriguing idea. I may have to try it out...
Thing 1
The article seemed really far-fetched to me; I cannot imagine a school that uses technology so much. Teachers reading each other's blog posts in order to collaborate? A principal reading every teacher's blog update? Every teacher having equipment to record and post podcasts of lectures? I just can't see that happening any time soon. Several of my students do not have home computers. And only 1/5 of my parents are linked to Edline. If we were to move toward technologically savvy instruction, we would need to give students the equipment to keep up with us.
I've thought about classroom podcasts several times. I subscribe to several podcasts and love the ease of accessing information. And it would be great for students who miss a class. I have never had a problem being observed. Student teachers, principals, superintendents, former students, college professors - some days I feel that I have more visitors than students. Yet, the idea of everyone being able to "see" into my classroom is still kinda weird. So I am undecided as to whether I want to try this out. Is anyone already doing podcasts? If so, how do you feel about having everything you say put out there for the world to critique?
Moving on to students using technology, well that's a big ol' double-edged sword. There are just as many benefits as there are downfalls. I know many of us want the district to eliminate the "no cell phone/no mp3 player" rule. But if they do, teachers will need to monitor their classrooms much more closely. Do we want kids texting each other for answers on a quiz or test? Or "sexting" during class? Students need some education about the appropriate time and place for using technology before it is unleashed in schools. Real thought needs to be put into school policies and procedures.
I've thought about classroom podcasts several times. I subscribe to several podcasts and love the ease of accessing information. And it would be great for students who miss a class. I have never had a problem being observed. Student teachers, principals, superintendents, former students, college professors - some days I feel that I have more visitors than students. Yet, the idea of everyone being able to "see" into my classroom is still kinda weird. So I am undecided as to whether I want to try this out. Is anyone already doing podcasts? If so, how do you feel about having everything you say put out there for the world to critique?
Moving on to students using technology, well that's a big ol' double-edged sword. There are just as many benefits as there are downfalls. I know many of us want the district to eliminate the "no cell phone/no mp3 player" rule. But if they do, teachers will need to monitor their classrooms much more closely. Do we want kids texting each other for answers on a quiz or test? Or "sexting" during class? Students need some education about the appropriate time and place for using technology before it is unleashed in schools. Real thought needs to be put into school policies and procedures.
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