Chapter 3, WeBlogs

Everything I read in Chapter 3 reaffirms what we have been learning throughout this trimester in 5575. Technology is the language of choice; teachers and future teachers need to learn the language to stay relevant and to be able to teach their students.

I think that blogs specifically encourage writing and creativity in students. Some blogs are not being used for critical thinking, (as Richardson mentions on page 44) but this is just a starting point. At least most students are already familiar with the concept of blogging, perhaps from myspace or facebook or some other similar site. It is the teacher that needs to create the hook, draw the students in, and highlight good, critical thinking to display to the other students.

Overall, I think that the same conclusion can be drawn. In order for a teacher to stay relevant and current, they need to speak the language of their students. They need to be able to teach, coach or facilitate the students' use of technology.

Check out my new Wiki, http://educ5575-practicewiki.wikispaces.com/

Blogs in Education

I was browsing through my blackboard account, looking at the assignments for this class, and realized that I did not complete this assignment! Oopsers! Anywho, I think blogs in education are both good and bad. I think that teachers should be aware and up to date with technology so that they can better understand and relate to their students.

On the other hand, there are inappropriate situations that can arise. For example, many students are now on the popular website, Myspace. I have a friend who is already a teacher. Up until recently he also had a Myspace account. The administration brought it to the teacher's attention that students were accessing teachers' pages, and that some of the content the students were looking at was inappropriate. (I.E. alcoholic beverages, club pictures, inappropriate language, etc.) He deleted his page shortly thereafter.

I think there is a fine line that comes into play when dealing with internet usage and classroom settings. While teachers should be internet savvy and bring technology into the classroom, teachers should be wary of using sites like Myspace or Facebook and posting objectionable material when students are so capable of accessing these materials.

Thats all for today!
Rissa

First Blog =0

This is my first blog! It is kind of cold here in the front row first seat, because there is a vent thingy on the professor's podium blowing right at me. I am a teensy bit sad because there is no toilet paper in the ladies room, and that is a tad frustrating when the baby is playing the drums on my bladder. Other than that it is a rainy day, and hopefully the sun will come back soon!