Using blogs in the classroom is something I have used in college classrooms, but not yet in my elementary classroom. I can see the benefits of using blogs as students develop their writing skills as well as how blogs might increase their motivation to write.
I could see using idea-based instruction with blogs as a way for students to reflect on their learning. Since blogs are much like journals, student can reflect on the big ideas being presented and they can read each others' reflections to expand upon. Students need to have adequate typing skills to make using blogs in this way time efficient. I have been frustrated with typing assignments with my students because it takes some of them an incredibly long time to type their thoughts as opposed to writing them by hand.
Blogs can also be used to give direct instruction to students. Teachers can create a blog that students read and are able to comment on. Students can also be given authorship of the blog to add their own posts. Direct instruction can also be given to absent students in this way so they do not get behind on missed assignments. The only problem with this is students need to have a certain level of literacy to be able to read the instructions and information given on the blog.
It would be difficult to use Venn Diagrams with blogs because the graphics would be difficult to create. You could use comparing and contrasting in written form, but the visual of a Venn Diagram would be difficult.
Peer editing is possible to do with blogs, but doesn't seem like the best technology to use for editing. Blogs are great for sharing general thoughts for revision, but google docs or wikis would be a better choice for peer editing.
I could see myself using blogs in my classroom mainly with language arts. This past year I did pen pals with a classroom in Michigan. It was so much fun for my students to write and receive letters from around the world. With blogs, we could pair up students to write to each other in this way. For privacy sake, the blogs could be private - viewed only by the students writing to each other and the teachers.
The bonus question is very thought provoking for me. It is one that I have thought about before because I find myself wanting to use technologies more creatively, but not knowing how to do that. I would be interested in reading articles that discuss creative uses of web technologies.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Wikis
Before this assignment, I had never thought I would edit a wikipedia page. It's amazing how easy it is to change the content of a page that so many people take to be true. I agree even more now with all the teachers who constantly tell their students wikipedia is not a credible source. It's just too easy to change the information posted without any need for it to be true.
For my school's wikipedia site, I added some countries to the list of our students' nationalities. There were a few that I know of missing, so I added that information. You can see a screen shot of the wiki page here. I'm not sure why it is pixelated, but you can click on the link above to get to the wikipedia site itself.
The wiki I created is https://cep811-wiki.wikispaces.com and was my first attempt at creating a wiki. I was unsure of the wiki at first as I have attempted to use them in prior classes and did not enjoy the experience. I think I did not have as much information as to how they work and the benefits they provide when I tried to use them before. Also, the professors who used them may not have known how to best organize the course's content with a wiki, further adding to my confusion and frustration with wikis. As I experiment with wikis and become more comfortable with them, I may even begin to see how I could use them in my classroom. I'm not exactly sure how I would do this yet, but using them myself is the first step to figuring it all out.
For my school's wikipedia site, I added some countries to the list of our students' nationalities. There were a few that I know of missing, so I added that information. You can see a screen shot of the wiki page here. I'm not sure why it is pixelated, but you can click on the link above to get to the wikipedia site itself.
The wiki I created is https://cep811-wiki.wikispaces.com and was my first attempt at creating a wiki. I was unsure of the wiki at first as I have attempted to use them in prior classes and did not enjoy the experience. I think I did not have as much information as to how they work and the benefits they provide when I tried to use them before. Also, the professors who used them may not have known how to best organize the course's content with a wiki, further adding to my confusion and frustration with wikis. As I experiment with wikis and become more comfortable with them, I may even begin to see how I could use them in my classroom. I'm not exactly sure how I would do this yet, but using them myself is the first step to figuring it all out.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Computer-based Instructional Objects
In looking at this week's reflection, I was able to view a variety of WebQuests put together by teachers from around the United States. Many of them were out of date, referencing programs that no longer exist and had multiple links that led to sites that also do not exist.
As far as working within a classroom, I prefer WebQuests because they have a greater ability to be interactive. Many of the examples had students working in groups, researching things online and presenting information as a group. StAIR projects are helpful in teaching and reinforcing new content, but can be done individually, even without a teacher present. Both seem useful in the appropriate context.
As I searched through some example WebQuests, I found many interesting social studies topics that relate to my curriculum. I particularly liked this example because it asked the students to make a choice to travel west on the Oregon Trail or to stay put. They had to take into consideration different points of view and make a persuasive argument as to why they chose what they did. I also liked this WebQuest because it involves different learning styles. The students need to put on their creative hats as they learn about the Aztecs, specifically Aztec legend, "The Two Mountains." The simplicity of this WebQuest made me consider using it with my own students. If all the links were active, I probably would use it. We cover life cycles at the beginning of the year, which makes the simple design of this WebQuest ideal in timing.
It was important to me, as I looked through all the different examples I found, to click through the WebQuests' links. In the process, I found that many were empty links or went to websites that had more advertisements than information. When considering WebQuests, looking at the links is a vital part of the process. Not only were there many dead links, but I came across one that seemed to be perfect for my students until I looked through the links. The websites they referenced were way above a third grade reading level, which I would not have known had I not done a thorough search.
While WebQuests are valuable tools for learning, and I am amazed at the vast amount available, it is important to make sure all the websites linked to are active and appropriate for your students. Also, when websites are out of date, students do not have current information to reference. I like the way many WebQuests are set up, but thorough research needs to be done of existing sites before they should be used in the classroom.
As far as working within a classroom, I prefer WebQuests because they have a greater ability to be interactive. Many of the examples had students working in groups, researching things online and presenting information as a group. StAIR projects are helpful in teaching and reinforcing new content, but can be done individually, even without a teacher present. Both seem useful in the appropriate context.
As I searched through some example WebQuests, I found many interesting social studies topics that relate to my curriculum. I particularly liked this example because it asked the students to make a choice to travel west on the Oregon Trail or to stay put. They had to take into consideration different points of view and make a persuasive argument as to why they chose what they did. I also liked this WebQuest because it involves different learning styles. The students need to put on their creative hats as they learn about the Aztecs, specifically Aztec legend, "The Two Mountains." The simplicity of this WebQuest made me consider using it with my own students. If all the links were active, I probably would use it. We cover life cycles at the beginning of the year, which makes the simple design of this WebQuest ideal in timing.
It was important to me, as I looked through all the different examples I found, to click through the WebQuests' links. In the process, I found that many were empty links or went to websites that had more advertisements than information. When considering WebQuests, looking at the links is a vital part of the process. Not only were there many dead links, but I came across one that seemed to be perfect for my students until I looked through the links. The websites they referenced were way above a third grade reading level, which I would not have known had I not done a thorough search.
While WebQuests are valuable tools for learning, and I am amazed at the vast amount available, it is important to make sure all the websites linked to are active and appropriate for your students. Also, when websites are out of date, students do not have current information to reference. I like the way many WebQuests are set up, but thorough research needs to be done of existing sites before they should be used in the classroom.
Hi Meredith!
Hi Meredith,
I love your background- It's wonderful! I'm still working to gain comfort/ and figure out how to post on our Bloggs... Yours looks great!
I love your background- It's wonderful! I'm still working to gain comfort/ and figure out how to post on our Bloggs... Yours looks great!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Traditional web vs. Blogs
Hello all!
This first assignment asks us to compare traditional web pages and blogs. My first thought when comparing the two is the general purpose of each. In general, web pages are used to inform users about a company, product, event, etc. These websites do not usually have the personal narrative writing that blogs do. Traditional web pages are not updated frequently, but rather only when the readers would need to know something new that is happening.
On the other hand, blogs are typically designed for users to write down their thoughts and ideas. Blogs are run through a third party, unless the user pays for a web domain. Typically, blogs are updated on a regular (or not so regular) basis for readers to enjoy. The writing of blogs is subjective, often being focused on the writers feelings or thoughts of the moment. While many blogs are written for personal use, there are other blogs that are written to give readers information. Bloggers can also control who is able to access the content of their site, while traditional web pages are often open to anyone connected to the internet.
This first assignment asks us to compare traditional web pages and blogs. My first thought when comparing the two is the general purpose of each. In general, web pages are used to inform users about a company, product, event, etc. These websites do not usually have the personal narrative writing that blogs do. Traditional web pages are not updated frequently, but rather only when the readers would need to know something new that is happening.
On the other hand, blogs are typically designed for users to write down their thoughts and ideas. Blogs are run through a third party, unless the user pays for a web domain. Typically, blogs are updated on a regular (or not so regular) basis for readers to enjoy. The writing of blogs is subjective, often being focused on the writers feelings or thoughts of the moment. While many blogs are written for personal use, there are other blogs that are written to give readers information. Bloggers can also control who is able to access the content of their site, while traditional web pages are often open to anyone connected to the internet.
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