Monday, January 17, 2011

Welcome to ED 5254 Spring 2011!

How can you use a blog with your students? List possible advantages and disadvantages.

10 comments:

vanessa said...

Students can use blogs to work on group projects without necessitating physical presence.

The blog can also serve as an ongoing assessment tool, much in the same way a reflective journal would be used. Students could be required to submit reflections on the blog from home. Parents, teachers and fellow students would all have access to the ideas on the blog, and help to build the academic community.

David Kaufmann said...

Students can use a blog to have as an open homework communication forum. One student might say "hey what was our math homework?" Another might say "did anyone get problem 7, it says 5 times x and I am not sure how to get the answer."

Dave Kaufmann

Scott said...

I think that blogs can be useful in getting students to communicate and interact with each other in a new way. Some students are much more comfortable writing out a response than they would be discussing something in class. Additionally, I believe that in theory, it can give student the opportunity to practice their writing skills.

On the other hand, blogging can reinforce bad habits in communication if the blogging is not monitored. Another fear of mine is that blogging is reducing students ability to communicate face to face, which is still an important skill.

Anonymous said...

Blogging has an advantage for students because they can a) interact on their own time, b) be motivated to share via technology, and c) review written comments of others and then comment on those comments. Franne McNeal

Anonymous said...

There's a lot of useful content that brings the real world into the classroom, which is especially important for helping foreign language learners experience the target culture. I could use a blog as a platform for sharing links and resources with students, but I'm concerned about the potential liability of communicating with students outside of school. It wouldn't be properly monitored by school authorities, and I'm afraid using a blog would bring problems.

-Melissa Hauber Rice

matias.mcfadden said...

A classroom blog that is available for comment by students can encourage them to discover their own opinions regarding various topics and give a forum to express that opinion. Advocating for one's own opinion is an important and necessary skill that not all students are able to successfully develop within the classroom.

Unknown said...

While the use of a blog offers quite a bit in terms of allowing students to access and respond to material through use of technology I feel that the greatest benefit is that it allows for the participation of students who are often quiet or take a long time to process their thoughts.
I once had a student from the midwest who never responded in class. When I pressed him on why this was he stated that by the time he had thought about his answer we were already moving on. For him he could not formulate the information fast enough in conversation to keep up with his peers but his ability to communicate in text form was superb. For him the use of blogs might have been helpful.

MICHAEL CORDEIRO said...

A blog can be an exciting alternative to student study sites and materials. A blog can be created & updated on your own time. Blogs can show the exchange of ideas and contributions fairly quickly. However, it is important to be sure students have internet access, and a teacher would not want to exclude those students that may have disabilities that hinder communicating through a blog.

sabahkunle said...

I think that as educators come to terms with the fact, that this is the era of the 'computer babies'; any form of academic enrichment, should be centered around technology. I believe that this is the best way to actively engage our students, and promote a 'higher order of thinking'
Furthermore, as students are encouraged to blog, they become committed to developing/strengthening their communication skills.

Anonymous said...

Jaime Schall says...

I could imagine using a blog to communicate with my students. Having a venue where shy students can communicate, ask questions and complete assignments would be a very valuable addition to my curriculum.