During the first week of class we created a bubbl.us mind map on the topic of learnign technologies. Somehow ours didnt save properly :/ so i have substituted mine for the example shown in the tutorial slides. I think often when reflecting on learning technologies there is a tendancy to not think broadly and only focus on web-based content. However this mind map demonstrates there is much more to learning technologies.
This reading really shaped my opinion on blogging and its value to teachers and in the classroom. This case study has shown that blogging not only improves literacy but children's attitude towards writing. Students learnt to critique one another, thereby improving self critiquing skills. Children from high to low levels of literacy got involved and developed a sense of pride for their work. I thought technological teachers were simply ones who accepting an interactive whiteboard into their classroom however I think there's a bit more to it then that. Teachers who can successfully integrate blogging into the classroom in a structured and rich way are overcoming their aversion to emerging technologies and helping students to gain the most from their schooling experiences. Privacy obviously needs to be managed and i feel like parents would need to feel confident of this before allowing their children to participate. The other issue that needs to be considered before implementing blogging in the classroom is Internet access. If blogging is given as an at home exercise children who do not have access to Internet in their home environment will feel ostracised and be unable to participate. Blogging should therefore be used in the classroom where possible and having computers open for students to use for an hour after school could also be consider.
Is the first sentance of your first blog way harder to write then the rest or will it all be like this? This blog is not colour coded in the blue, green or orange of my compulsorary academic blogs as thats not what it is. This is my first blog ever and its going to be purple! ... just as soon as i figure out how to change font colour. I've always regarded blogging as somewhat self centred... with facebook and twitter do people really need another platform to talk about themselves? However the justification for this task has swayed me somewhat even if the grammar was lacking... "Blogs are increasable becoming a part of classroom life for both students and teachers.". I'm stopping now I think its time i write a useful blogging about learning and stuff. x
