Oops, I did it again.

My takeaway from today was that I had a bad attitude when it came to Google Docs. This was really unfounded, but I’ve seen it before. I used to ignore e-mails from my tech coach about wikis mostly because I didn’t really even know what a wiki was, let alone how to use it. Once I really got wiki, it has become one the most powerful (and easy) tools up my secret teacher sleeve. The same thing has happened with Google Docs. I choose Moodle training instead and didn’t think it was so great when Tony suggested we plan our learning technologies categories discussion in Google Docs . After seeing what Google Docs can really do today and letting my mind race to the possibilities, I’m sold. This is a wonderfully functional and collaborative tool that could greatly impact the way students and I view writing instruction among other things.

My thoughts about class today

It is hard to believe how far we have come from the ways we educate one another. It seem like it was only yesterday when we used chalk boards, encyclopedias, and overheads to convey our message to our students. Hence, now days we have laptops and tablet computers, portable mobile devices and this little thing called the World Wide Web connecting us all. Yet, today in class we tap in on how the powerful the internet can be used in educating our youth. I had seen by using social networking tools such as Wiki spaces and Google Doc can be helpful in enhance collaborative learning and provides the learner with instance feedback. Which is sure fine receipted for dynamic learning and great lesson planning.
I never had the opportunity to use any of these tools this past school year. However, in my next teaching assignment I will be very resourceful in educating and implementing the use of Google Docs and Wiki spaces to my students and fellow colleagues. I true believe that the feature from each one tools would truly be game changer in the classroom.

Thursday's thoughts

There was a lot of information today to absorb. A number of years ago we saw the same video about the changing technological world and it scared me as much as it scared Jim. Now I look at it with a different perspective. I see all these technologies simply as tools to do what we've always done and I just have to find the ones that work for what I want to accomplish as a teacher. In the beginning I fell into the trap of feeling like I had to use all these technologies but I was using them for the sake of using them. Now I try to find the ones that help me teach. Google Docs has been the technology for me that has had the biggest impact. It has made lab reports for the students to be much more enjoyable and efficient which means they can concentrate more on the chemistry instead of how are they going to write the report. I just have to keep reminding myself during this class that I don't have to use everything I just have to use the things that will work in my class to accomplish our goals.

-Tom

Student Blogs

I feel students need to be taught how to blog responsibly. Once they know the parameters that are expected of them, I believe they will put forth more effort if they see they have the potential of a larger audience. They also need to realize that there are consequences if they should choose to blog something that is not appropriate. I don't think it is something that should be totally blocked for fear of what "might"happen.

Working with the students in the library, I do not see students on a daily basis. Although I have not done it, I am aware of some librarians who have set up blogs that allow students to use it as a book discussion areas. I think this is a great idea as I have found that students love to share what they are reading. If possible this would be a great way to possibly set up conversations with students in other states who would also be interested in discussion the literature.

My concerns with blogging are the standard concerns of appropriate behavior. As I mentioned earlier, however, students need to be held accountable for their behavior. Depending on the success of the blog, it could become overwhelming trying to keep on top of reading all of the posts to make sure there is nothing inappropriate.

Student Blogs

First, let me note that the tools to which I am being exposed in class are very helpful. Inconveniently, however, I don't teach, so apparently the homework will be, to a degree, substantively inapplicable to me. Your patience with my efforts to accommodate the homework is, of course, appreciated.


What are your thoughts about private vs public blogs?

Candidly, I'm a pretty broad-minded person, so absent lies, personal attacks, etc. I could care less.


What about student blogs?

I'm guessing these are probably very health things especially if the parents read therm. Conversations between adults and kids can be difficult and awkward at times,and student blogs might help grease the wheels for various discussions.


What ideas do you have about blogs for students?

I'm sure there will be a significant degree of self-editing/topics not discussed, but every little bit of reflection helps. Additionally, it might help teachers to better know their students and thus find more common ground with each individual.

What concerns do you have about blogging with students?

I suppose some ugly truths might be revealed.

Blog is as Blog Does

I think a blog is what you make of it. Your content will really prescribe how it should be viewed. There are some blogs out there that are designed to get certain information out to many people. That blogger might never have had an audience for his or her expertise or opinion if not for the blogging format hence the public blog. I have a friend of mine who is 27 who recently went through chemo for lymphoma. She blogged about her experience mainly to cut down on 50 phone calls a day. It is still the idea of one person’s thought reaching many. In this case, the many is family and friends. Her audience is much smaller and much more personal and so she opted for a private blog. In English class, we always tell students to think about the audience they are writing for before ever setting pen to paper and a blog is similar. A blogger needs to decide who they are trying to reach and so I see both private and public blogs as appropriate for different intentions.

I think student blogs can be looked at in the same way. What is the purpose? In an English class, it is really important to give students the chance to just write. There is always the fear of the red pen which is partially why I have started to grade in green. The point really is when are students given the opportunity to write what they want, write for enjoyment, or to write to express themselves without fear of being torn apart? Yes, grammar and sentence structure are important but formal writing will never improve of students always have a sense of anxiety when it comes to getting that paper back. Student blogs are also a great reflection tool for both teachers and students. Students are given the opportunity to monitor their own learning while teachers are able to check in and see if students achieved the objective of the lesson and if not what will need to happen moving forward.

I think that student blogs should be a mix of what I have already mentioned with the informal and some prompts or structured responses all students will respond to that might be evaluated. I think it is also important for students to go back to earlier work and see how they write or how they have changed over time. Revising and editing is always a battle and this might be a nice opportunity to do that in a different way.

 I am concerned about the amount of material we will be putting out there. In order to monitor the expected bad behavior, how am I going to read all these posts? If I can’t, will the blog really be serving its purpose for my students?

Blog Use

Blogging is a great educational tool in subjects that do a lot of writing and reflection, but I find it difficult in chemistry. Most of the writing we do is very to the point and structured so it doesn't lend itself to much reflection. One thing I have used is a moodle journal as a summarizing strategy. I could try something like that in a blog format, but all of the students would have similar answers. Discussion forums have proven useful in my class.

I agree with what we discussed today that blogs should be public and that when studetns sense a bigger audience they will put more time and effort into their writing.