It's amazing how much
technology is being incorporated into education these days. Blogs,
especially, are being experimented with in the classroom. The first
article, entitled Blogging, discussed this issue. I like to blog and
read blogs myself so when I read about how teachers can use blogs to
enhance learning, I wanted to know more. I realized that blogging in
the classroom has lots of potential for helping students learn and
making the curriculum their own. I like the overall idea of using
technology such as blogs and websites in the classroom. From what the
article says, however, I think there are ways that work and ways that
don't.
One advantage of blogs is
that they can be used to get students to know each other academically
as well as on a personal level. I think they could also be good for
those students who don't like to speak up in class. Some students
work better and learn better through writing and are more vocal in
their writing. I think I am a prime example of this.
I also found some potential
drawbacks and was disappointed when I read about how students in the
study did not find blogs helpful in their learning or even something
to look forward to.
The article listed many
examples of successful use of blogs to create a sense of community
and learning. So I thought: why not in the study? Maybe these
students are not into blogs. Then I thought about how I personally
enjoy blogging, reading blogs, and how the use of class websites this
semester is making my classes more exciting and personal. I get to
see how others blog and make their takes unique and perhaps
entertaining to read. I agree that blogs are similar to reader
response journals, but blogs appeal to me more anyway. However, I can
picture some students being unenthusiastic about them and not looking
forward to them. Maybe blogs could be an option and journaling would
be another Maybe it's the whole concept of responding to the readings
that caused the lack of enthusiasm. Either way, I would survey my
students on the kinds of technology that they use frequently and
infrequently, what they like and don't like, and what they would like
to incorporate into the classroom.
In the study, I also
noticed that the real problem seemed to be lack of authentic
discussion. How can this issue be resolved? Maybe the class could
discuss readings in class then reply on blogs? Maybe they need
thought-provoking prompts to ignite a real discussion online? I
especially thought of this idea when I read the article on using
author blogs, but more on that later. Overall, I think blogs should
be about students expressing themselves not just about completing
assignments. Like the article says, blogs could be used to talk about
topics of real student interest that could not be covered in class.
Despite the negative
results of the study, I would definitely use blogs and/or websites
for my class as a way to post information about the class and
assignments. I see this done more and more. My younger brothers'
teachers all have their own websites for classes where students can
find notes, examples, useful sites, the online textbook, extra credit
questions, etc. I never saw this growing up, and I would have been
clueless as far as how to use the resource, but now it's a norm.
Websites are considered easy to use and access by most students
(although they don't always choose to keep up and take advantage of
these sites. But that's another post). I don't know how I would use
blogs as a means of discussion. I would do lots of research and go
into it with an open mind, willing to change how I do things in order
to make blogging for class something fun and helpful for students.
The other article, entitled
Blogs, was about using authors' blogs to connect students and books,
which I thought was a great idea. This gives students a way to
picture who wrote the book and why and what they are doing today.
They can even communicate with authors and ask questions.
However, I wonder if all or
most of these blogs are appropriate for middle schoolers. Some of
these authors might use the occasional cuss word in their posts or
blog about topics that have nothing or little to do with their books.
Blogs commenting on literature would be a great idea to initiate
discussion in the classroom. Also great to show how real people in
the real world use and go through the writing process. And their
struggles.
From examples in the
reading, author blogs seem like a great way to start a lively
discussion, although I still question whether students will be ready
or mature enough to talk about some of these topics, an example being
race required for an award or whether a book should be banned due to
an oral sex scene. I would have to see examples of specific author
blogs to establish how I really feel about using them in the
classroom
