I have so many ideas of how blogs could be used in the classroom. I think that I would use it mainly as a tool for interacting about content.
They could be used in my Grade Ten Computer Science class to discuss issues (about ethics or programming problems).
A blog could also be used to reflect on a piece of writing or picture or video in any level of ELA. I think that this would offer opportunities for students who may be too shy to participate in class discussions to share their thoughts with their classmates!
HOWEVER, blogs are blocked in my school division so I cannot actually use a blog for anything in my classroom.
I get very frustrated at the limitations that are placed on me by the division tech department. There is so much that I would like to do with my class that I am unable to do!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas for integrating blogs if you could access them. Obviously, that is your challenge. Have they blocked ALL blogging sites? With the evolving technologies would it be possible to initiate a meeting with the appropriate personnel to discuss the positives of educational blogging and the implementation within the district?
I have scheduled a meeting for tomorrow to discuss the county procedures we have in place for blogging (honestly, I do not anticipate us having one yet!). My hope is that we can review all the legal issues and paperwork necessary to start the blogging process at my school as none of our teachers use educational blogs in the classroom at this time.
In the end, I realize the decision lies in the hands of powers greater than you, but I feel if you present a well-organized and researched presentation highlighting the pros of this new technology and its implications for your classroom, you stand a chance. Good luck!
Melissa
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteHow unfortunate! Maybe discussing the benefits of blogging with your administrators would be a good idea? Maybe they can allow classroom blogs without allowing personal blogs.
Using a blog to reflect on a piece of writing is a simple idea – but a new idea to me! I will have to share this idea with my secondary language arts friends! Thanks!
Megan
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI would suggest sending an e-mail to your district's technology director describing what you want to do with your students, the educational value you feel it will give them, and how you will monitor/supervise how the students are using it. This is what I did when I wanted to take my students into a chat room when a friend of mine with expertise on a course topic was interested in chatting with my class but was located in a different state. I got a response saying something along the lines of "sounds wonderful, let me know if you need any sites or anything un-blocked".
I have thought about doing that for other things that I would like unblocked, but I'm thinking that I will just use a wiki for the ideas that I have instead. I think that a wiki can be used in much the same way as a blog and those are not blocked.
ReplyDelete