Using blogs in the classrom

I love the idea of having technology in my classroom. I think having a blog is a great idea as it allows students to ask questions to other students as well as the teacher, while not being on school campus. As Richardson brought to many peoples attention, there are always going to be people who cause conflict and demeanor towards their peers. This could be an issue on blogging, but isn’t this an issue with class discussions? Many students who are older stop speaking out, and if you ask why, there answer can easily be because the things they say are perceived as non-important and a waste of time. I think these are the kids that are going to benefit from technology the most by allowing blogging in their classrooms. They will feel more open and able to communicate behind a closed door.


While previewing Sargent Park school’s website it was an inspiration to look over. I loved that the students were asking each other question with math facts and the teacher was also available to answer questions that their peers may not have been able to. Also navigating their sight you can see where it says “skype” allowing their students to contact there teachers at any time. With this availability the students are going to be learning non stop. Not everybody’s schedules are the same, as many students have after school activities, or the help they can get from home isn’t available when the students need them.


I as a teacher will be providing an internet resource for my students. I hope to get feedback from them and continue to upgrade my technology skills as my students technology skills upgrade. As I am going to be a health teacher, I would love to put together a unit to do with calorie counters, so that many teens can really see how many calories they are imputing compared to the exercise they are participating in. Or I may post a human body that has a game attached to it, having the students label what muscles are where and what they do. This is just a couple thoughts that I hope I will be able to incorporate successfully.

Reaction to my first week:

This week has been nonstop stress for me. As our class has their final project to finish by this weekend for ED 532, and trying to do the amount of work that this online class has provided has been extremely hard for me. One suggestion I can provide would be to look and see if this online course overlaps with a class that is just finishing up and provide a little less work the first week. I don’t think that amount of work is overwhelming if this was the only class you are doing, but having a final project, a speech, a 3-5 page reflection paper and a portfolio to put together on top of this online course has seemed to cause me a bit of stress. I look forward to being able to connect with the information you are going to provide our class and hopefully incorporate it in in the classroom I am currently in.