Identify possible instructional uses for blogs in the classroom and address any related issues regarding the use of blogs in education. Describe how blogs may provide advantages over traditional forms of instruction.
Blogs in the classroom can be used for many different areas in the curriculum. They can be used to facilitate communication between students and foster a cooperative learning environment. Within my classroom, I am currently using blogs to encourage writing among a group of reluctant writers. There is something magical that happens to reluctant writers when technology is placed within their hands. Suddenly their writing comes alive and the words are not as difficult to find. I am also using it for recording reading logs and book reviews. This allows written work to be shared amongst classmates.
Blogs are an advantage over traditional forms of instruction because they integrate technology, making it more appealing to students whose entire lifestyles are based around technology.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Relative Advantage
Thinking back to elementary school and the technology that we used, I recall using Commodore 64 computers, calculators, film projectors and tape recorders. It was a simpler time then. Now in my own classroom I use a SmartBoard, LCD Projector, Dell PC, Electronic Books, CDs, and AlphaSmarts. It is a pretty technologically advanced classroom. When I have a substitute or this December when I have a long term sub for my maternity leave, it has to be someone who is somewhat comfortable with implementing technology.
There are other teachers who are teaching the same curriculum as I am without the use of as many of the technologies that I incorporate on a daily basis. So what then is the relative advantage to implementing the technologies and why aren't more teachers doing it?
As I have an interest in technology, it is almost a natural fit for me to seek out new and innovative ways of dispersing information to my students, as well as teaching them to be innovative and creative in obtaining information on their own. I have found, however, that unless one of my collegues has a specific lesson where someone shows them how technology will enhance that lesson, they are reluctant to take the time to put it into their plans.
Currently, all of our students are issued an AlphaSmart word processor which has significantly increased their writing abilities. Teachers are taking advantage of this piece of technology as they have seen the direct impact on a child's output of written language when given this tool.
Through using the SmartBoard, I have noticed increased class participation, a desire to come to the board, and ease in note taking among my students. I see these as significant advantages to implementing technology. In math class we utilize virtual manipulatives, and in geography take virtual field trips. All of these opportunities make learning more realistic and interactive for my students.
The notion of an "old school" classroom seems drab, dull, and uninteresting to me. It doesn't take into consideration the visual learners as much as the auditory learners. While it may have been a simpler time when classrooms only had calculators, film projectors, and tape recorders, it certainly is not the picture of what students today should be spending eight hours a day within.
It is time to effectively train teachers where to place appropriate technology within their curriculum. Learning should be fun!
There are other teachers who are teaching the same curriculum as I am without the use of as many of the technologies that I incorporate on a daily basis. So what then is the relative advantage to implementing the technologies and why aren't more teachers doing it?
As I have an interest in technology, it is almost a natural fit for me to seek out new and innovative ways of dispersing information to my students, as well as teaching them to be innovative and creative in obtaining information on their own. I have found, however, that unless one of my collegues has a specific lesson where someone shows them how technology will enhance that lesson, they are reluctant to take the time to put it into their plans.
Currently, all of our students are issued an AlphaSmart word processor which has significantly increased their writing abilities. Teachers are taking advantage of this piece of technology as they have seen the direct impact on a child's output of written language when given this tool.
Through using the SmartBoard, I have noticed increased class participation, a desire to come to the board, and ease in note taking among my students. I see these as significant advantages to implementing technology. In math class we utilize virtual manipulatives, and in geography take virtual field trips. All of these opportunities make learning more realistic and interactive for my students.
The notion of an "old school" classroom seems drab, dull, and uninteresting to me. It doesn't take into consideration the visual learners as much as the auditory learners. While it may have been a simpler time when classrooms only had calculators, film projectors, and tape recorders, it certainly is not the picture of what students today should be spending eight hours a day within.
It is time to effectively train teachers where to place appropriate technology within their curriculum. Learning should be fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
