Integrating Technology

Integrating technology involves more than incorporating tools into instruction.  It also involves engaging students.  According to the article, How to Integrate Technology, the first step will require you to change your approach to teaching.  The teacher will no longer be the focus of attention.  The dynamics of the classroom will change.  One of the hindrances to technology integration is limited computer access. One may think it will be difficult to integrate technology with one computer. Even though you may have one computer, you can still create lessons that didn’t exist before. This results in a student-centered learning environment.  The article gives various educational websites that can be used with different technologies.

Why Blog?

An instructor who uses blogs in her English course details why it is beneficial to her course.  According to the article, Rationale for Educational Blogging, it teaches students how to write for a public audience and read effectively.  Students will be engaging media and need to know how to navigate the web in the Digital Age.  Students will be able to connect and relate to the content discussed rather than see it simply as facts to be learned.

There are various Web 2.0 tools that can enhance instruction. I have asked students to work in teams to create multimedia presentations, but never a blog.  This course has showed me how the use of blogs can enhance instruction.  It promotes collaboration as well as exploration. It also gives students a voice.  Teachers should incorporate more Web 2.0 technologies to prepare students to function in the 21^st Century.  Working collaboratively as well as using technology is a skill that will be required in the work force.   To see a list of tools to enhance learning, visit  11 Tools for the 21st Century Learner.

The Benefits of Blogging

The article "So You Wanna Blog" discusses how we used to write essays in class.  No one ever read them but yourself and the teacher.   We rarely shared that knowledge that we learned with others.  We rarely had the opportunity to discuss our thoughts or ideas about the topics we researched.  Blogging enables us to share content, thoughts, ideas and opinions with others and illicit their feedback.  The author suggests EduBlogs and KidBlog as two good blogging sites that are teacher friendly.

Parental  Involvement

Blogs can be used to establish lines of communication between home and school.   Blogs can provide a window into the classroom for parents.  It is a easy way to determine what students are doing in classroom.  Teachers may not have the level of participation they would like and may become discouraged with blogging.  One would first have to educate parents about blogging. Parental participation would have to be encouraged.  The author suggests sending a FAQ Sheet that explains what a blog is and why you are blogging.  Various items that should be covered with parents are discussed in the “Guide to involve Parents.”

Example of a Blog Policy

If you are interested in creating a blog for educational use, you should consider creating a blog policy. Arapahoe High School’s   blog policy includes their tips for successful blogging.  The policy states that the blog will not used to promote profanity, racism, sexism, or personal attacks. It should be used as a learning tool to promote discussions outside of the classroom.  It advises student to give constructive criticism if they do not agree with others. Viewing their policy will give you some ideas of what you may want to include in your blog policy.

My Introduction to Blogs

I haven't had much experience with blogging.  When I think of blogs, I think of a person sharing their experiences about a certain topic.  I thought that one person contributed to a blog.  I did not realize that it was interactive and open to many.  The benefit of blogging is that several people can communicate and share ideas on a topic.

Use of Blogs in the Classroom:

1.  Post questions on a topic before it is introduced to the class.  For example, what do you know about jellyfish? Students would post their responses and share comments with each other  This would enable me to find out what students know about jellyfish before it is covered in class.

2.  Post supplemental assignments.  Students often need additional help on a topic that teachers often do not have the time in class to cover.  This blog would enable students to obtain additional help on a topic outside of class from the teacher and fellow students.

3. Determine what students learned after a lesson is taught. Students would share and post everything they learned about a topic.  They would be encouraged to fill in the blacks for each other. This would promote class participation as well as teamwork.

4. Promote group work.  I would assign students to a group.  Each group would be given a topic to research. Each group would be responsible for creating and maintaining their blog. Each group would comment and provide feedback on each other's blogs.

What I have learned about blogging for educational use:

What I learned from the readings is that when implementing blogs in a classroom setting, parental permission and knowledge is important. Also ethical issues and online safety will need to be discussed with students. Blogs should not be graded but used as a supplement.