After searching and reading several articles about education and never coming across one that really struck my mind as "first blog" worthy, I decided to stop trying so hard. I realized I didn't even understand what a blog entailed. So that is where I began my search. I started reading random blogs and discovered you can blog about anything. But the blogs I found the most interesting were those of teachers. Until now, I considered myself to be a teacher who utilizes technology in her classroom as much as possible. But after reading through Mrs. Kuieck's classroom blog, my mind was opened to a whole new world. I never even imagined using blogging as a way of communicating with parents. I am a teacher who loves to send emails. I try and send emails to my parents almost every night with reminders of upcoming assignments and events. Mrs. Kuieck posts everything through blogging. She has newsletters, surveys, supply lists and pictures. I was mesmerized.
I also came across another teacher's amazing blog, Ms. Feinman's blog, She has posted video's of her class. She also has posted skills for her students to work on at home. It is unbelievable the possibilities of using blogging in a classroom.
But then as I searched some more, I wondered what is next? Facebook? Where all your students are your friends and they too have accounts? Twittering? So a parent can know what is going on in your classroom hour by hour? I wonder where it stops. I wonder when does it become unsafe for the students. I wonder if elementary classrooms will start to become increasingly digital, with each student having their own laptop. Or to go even further, having an iPhone and using twitter as a way of communicating instead of turning to their neighbor to ask a question. It may sound a bit absurd, but so does the thought of a second grader riding her bike down the road, unaccompanied, and talking on a cell phone. When used properly, incorporating technology into the classroom does engage the students more and prepare them for the road ahead. But as a teacher, would I be feeding into the communication barrier that is developing because people don't call each other any more, they text?
All in all I think blogging is an amazing tool and may consider it a tool for my classroom. But then I have to stop and ask myself, "is there such a thing as too much technology in a classroom?" ... and how much is the proper amount?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jenna--I was in your exact same boat and after three pretty solid days of searching for articles but not being sure of what I was going to do with it once I settled on one, I referred to other's blogs and found so many neat ones belonging to educators!
ReplyDeleteYour passion for wanting to incorporate technology into your classroom to the fullest is very evident--good for you! I thought you made a very interesting and valid point though when you addressed the safety. From my own teaching experiences, I can recall a couple of scenarios where there would be certain people that were not to receive information regarding a student, their schedule, etc so an hour-by-hour update, or maybe even daily would be considered invasive.
Thanks for the great read!
When I first saw that I was going to be blogging, fear came to me. I have attempted to blog with students before and had nothing but troubles. I always thought, "I'll do all the other technology stuff...just not blogging." but here I am. I guess I thought that I would always have the students do the blogging and it wouldn't be me doing the blogging for the students. I browsed through the blogs that you posted from other classrooms and I was amazed. I would not even know where to begin to be able to post a newsletter, but I love the idea. I think I might attempt a blog for my parents with the school technology partner close by.
ReplyDeleteI pondered your ending questions, "How much technology is too much?" I think if students are learning, and the teacher is comfortable, it is limitless.
Hi Jenna, I really enjoyed your blog because it hit so close to home. During one of my classes this past summer we did an assignment on blogs and the use for them in education. I can see many uses for high school students but it took me awhile to think of uses for first grade. I looked at the blog sites you included and they are very similar in what I had thought of. I could see myself communicating with parents through blogs, including pictures or videos of the fun we have, suggest learning games or activites to do at home or put up questions or writing ideas for students to write and create on their own. I thought if they could type a story or news to share with the class they would find it fun to do online. I was very excited to try this and then I thought more about it and got scared. I wonder if some parents would prefer the old paper copy of my newsletter rather than an internet copy. I can already hear parents say, "Well I didn't know that...I can't get online..." Do you think the teachers who have done blogs get permission forms to put pictures of the students online? Many poeple have strong feelings of putting children's pictures onine and I don't know if I want to be blamed for putting something online that any creep could find. I would love to hear about anyone else's experience with a classroom blog because I could see it as a great tool but I have to answer these questions first. Do you plan on trying a classroom blog?
ReplyDeleteOh no...I forgot to mention one more thing. I really liked what Cassandra said at the end of her blog. I would have to agree that is students are learning and the technology isn't taking that away, use it! It can be an amazing tool!
ReplyDeleteI share you’re questioning of what the future will bring. We in Maine have a laptop program so yes, each of my students come to class with their own laptop. I enjoy using the technology in a variety of ways not just to communicate with them. Digital design and spreadsheets are great tools. But... I worry about having students IM or Twitter with me. There is a point to where I deserve some privacy away from work. I am their teacher, I love them, but that’s not all I am. The student’s privacy is also a concern. As often as we warn them, young people still put themselves at risk online. It’s a hard question, what to use and what not to use.
ReplyDeleteI was new to blogging till last year when I was encourage by the department to start one for our student run energy club. Here is the link if you want to check it out: http://energyclub.bscblogs.org/
ReplyDeleteSince I am the club advisor I use it to promote the club throughout campus and keep the students informed of upcoming events.
I won't lie it does take more time than I thought and there are concerns that everything does not need to be on the web. We have strict rules for it set by our President...who has his own blog.
I think by emailing the parents you are doing a fine job and if your comfortable with that then stick with it.
Jenna, I am of the same line of thinking as you. Blogs definitely perplexed me when faced with having to come up with one of my own. I have seen and heard of many blogs, but not what I thought would be appropriate for a class assignment. Once I got going and formulated an idea I guess it became easier.
ReplyDeleteI am envious of Mrs. Kuieck's work. I would love to communicate in the same manner she does. That would mean my kids parents would all to be on board. Not sure that would happen. We have a variety of economic levels, time and personal commitment levels that could hamper all parents getting on board. I know there are families in our district that don't even have computers in their homes. Eventually....I hope.
I often wonder too, how far can technology go? Our district has gotten "i-paq's" (similar to a palm pilot) for every student. We were able to get them on a grant and have had them for 2 years. Unfortunately they have gone unused or underused to say the least. We have been instructed a little as teachers on how to use them, but it doens't go any further than that. I am impressed with the capabilities but frustrated with the lack of use. The kids have them daily with them in the classroom and I have seen them totally be abused. They are smart. They can figure out how to use them in deragatory ways without being told. They have used the recording device in negative ways to poke fun of other students. It is such a valuable tool, but I have banned them from my classroom becuase of the misuse.
There are so many options to use technology that would be so worthwhile. I just wish there wasn't such a dark side to using it in the classroom. Can't it ever be easy?
I also had heard the word blogging and did not know what it meant. I watched the posted videos and had to get the low-down as well. I think this is a great way to have a good cohort. Surprisingly, I have already learned a lot by the peers blogs and discussions. Using these are a great substitute for actual classes.
ReplyDeleteI would have the same concern as Trista; wondering about putting info and pictures on for everyone. I like the idea of going mobile with class info and also a way to have parents leave comments.
I am having conversions with teachers on how blogs can be used and what rules we should stick to. Also my union is really discouraging its members from going above and beyond in terms of time given to the district. They want to make sure that if we need to put in extra time for anything that the district pay us for it. "once its done its expected" Admins in my district have a habit of pushing teachers into doing things that go beyond the contract language.
ReplyDelete