Technological Literacy Reflection #1 Why Blog?
I think that I can use blogging to enhance the curriculum in many ways. I can see a couple units I already do (group work) that could benefit from using blogs. I would like to use it for journaling activities especially in the areas of science and social studies. This would incorporate their writing skills and allow them to do reflective thinking in a venue that is probably more comfortable to them than it is to me right now. I can see where students would be able to express themselves easier and the ways they can share and support each other increase with the use of this. At the elementary level, I would start small, but I’m sure the kids will soon move me on into faster movement. As I am becoming more familiar with this, I am seeing more possibilities. I honestly was one who was very hesitant about the use of blogs (probably comes from not knowing enough about them and the security standpoint), but I am steadily changing my views here.
One hurdle right now is the board policy to block blogs in our district. I think this course is the first step in removing that hurdle. If we as a group can show the importance of using blogs in our instruction and how we can incorporate it safely, I think our board will be open to it. A second hurdle would be the technology itself. We have one computer lab in a room shared by 17 classrooms, and we have begun a mobile lab of 7 computers for the upper grades at this point. Each classroom in the upper grades has two desktops. This makes it doable, but we would need to continue to grow in this area. Looking at other blogs, I can see uses for video, digital cameras, etc. Another hurdle is educating the parents, staff, and community about the positive effects this can have on students’ education. Like any other new wave in education (okay, I know it is not that new, but it is to us in our district), it will take time, need careful monitoring and a lot of public sharing. I definitely think it is worth the time and effort to pursue this.
July 8th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
I think it could be a little easier than you describe. We have a new administration all around, who have come from different places, they may help us in this endeavour. It is not a board policy, it is something the administrators chose to make students safe. I do think it would be wise to go step by step in the education process and including the board in part of that is a good idea so parents and the community understand. I have found them very supportive when they are in the know.
July 8th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I guess I was misinformed, I was under the impression the board wanted them blocked. Either way, I think it needs to be a step by step process and it would have to start with educating teachers more than anything before they are put in the middle of it. I’m pretty much up for most challenges, but I think this one would need some careful planning so it doesn’t become over used and defeat the purpose.
Donna
July 29th, 2007 at 10:36 am
I concur with the careful planning. But it seems to me that it is time for some type of gradual change in the tools available to us on the internet.
Tom
July 29th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Tom,
At the beginning of this course, I probably would have had a different response. I have since changed my views on some areas. I think we do need more availability to the tools of the Internet, but it needs some safety protection built in I think. We can’t just open the proverbial ‘barn door’ and hope for the best. Education of all parties and practice are very important. It needs to be done safely. A lot to think about.
Donna