Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Week Five Reflections: Blogging In The Classoom

Will Richardson’s article on blogging, although dated, still provided links to worthwhile sites. Not all sites are active but those that are prove useful.  

About seven years ago I created a classroom website using Scholastic resources. I kept it updated and since I had linked books and games to the site I had my students use it during center time. Unfortunately, I found that not many of my parents availed themselves to this on-line resource. I believe this was due to the fact that at that time not many families had access to the Internet or owned computers. About two years ago, Scholastic took this resource down and I was left without any on-line resource for those parents and students who had used it. Fortunately, my school is now in the process of updating their website and will allow teachers to create classroom sites and blogs. I am eagerly looking forward to this opportunity now that more families have Internet capabilities and own computers.
Betsy Potash’s article on educational blogging showed firsthand how and why to use blogging in the classroom. Her site links were mostly up and very enjoyable to view. Seeing students work and their interpretation of what a blog is was interesting. I especially like the exchange blog link she provided.
Larry Ferlazzo’s response article out-lined very clearly the reasons to use or not to use technology in the classroom. I find I differ on a few points. Having used a tape player to record my students’ reading fluency progress for years, I think it I will now shake things up a bit and use the Fotobabble site in place of the tape player thus substituting old technology for new. (Plus, have your tried to find a cassette tape lately?!) Also, I am experimenting using flashcards on IPads. The response from students is that it is “fun” to do the cards this way and they seem to be remembering the facts better. When the students were told they were the same cards they had been doing on paper stock they seemed to be in disbelief. There again, we are substituting old technology for new and the students appear connected to the learning more!

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