What do you see as the role of blogs for learning as integrated in formal learning environments? What do you see as the role of blogs when self-initiated and informal (i.e., outside bounds of any institution/formal classroom), especially in the context of learning?
I see these two questions being one in the same in that the blog seem to be able to function for both formal and informal in much the same ways. They can serve to act as the following:
- a journal of thoughts, ideas, and reflections
- a mode of exchanging information
- build connections to others through collaboration
- removes isolation and encourages socialization
- reflective environment for consideration of the information
What do you see as the most important aspects to consider in using blogs for learning?
- establishing protocols for proper use in the classroom
- teaching how to create a proper post
- assisting students in understanding how to have a proper discussion with others
- give a focus for students to consider while writing their blogs
- teach accountability for their thoughts and actions
My Podcast: BURRIS – Podcast Interview with Jennifer Wiley
I chose to interview my daughter’s 7th grade teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Wiley. She has done a good job introducing the class to Web 2.0 this past year. I appreciate how she started it from day 1 of school so it became part of their rhythm this year as well as established the expectations from the beginning.
When I saw the way you formatted your thoughts this week, I thought it was a great idea and wished I had thought of it!
Cheryl..your accent was less noticeable than your interviewee!
I need to break through the barrier of why I am having problems blogging. It is such a struggle for me. This week is an example of it with my bullet statements instead of paragraphs of thoughts. I have thoughts but they seem to dribble out in fits and spurts instead of reason and rhythm. Where is a therapist when I need them?
Thanks for listening. Mrs. Wiley is BIG into classroom management – especially now that she has devices in the classroom. She is a great teacher and my daughter was blessed to have her. Funny thing about accents, I have lost mine according to everyone here in NC. So it was nice you heard one.
Great information in your podcast! There is so much that I am listening and writing at the same time so as to not forget my thoughts! I found a common theme from your podcast and mine in that teachers shouldn’t be afraid to learn from their students, especially in terms of social media and Web 2.0. I am not at all familiar with edmoto, so if you have anything else to share about that, I would appreciate it. Is it similar to other learning management systems?
I also enjoyed listening to the comments about BYOD. I wish I could depend on my students to have their own device, but I worry that it just separates the haves from the have nots. I would like to apply for a grant for tablets for my lab environment, instead of expecting my students to have their own device. But I did love the idea of placing an x on their desk and the device stayed there until it was needed for educational use. What a great way to prevent personal use during class time! My 5th grader has individual reading time during class time and we often purchase books for him on his Kindle, but he is not permitted to bring his device to class so he can’t read those books at school. We have to make a point to be sure he has books on paper instead for school use (kind of defeats the point of having a Kindle!). He has exhausted the school library, so it means taking him to other public libraries to keep up. So, I could see how Miss Wiley commented that students who brought reader devices enjoyed having those at school to read when they had time.
I loved how you learned from your daughter’s use of a tool! That happens in our house quite a lot. I learn from my husband and vice versa (he is an educator as well) and learn from my kids!
My grandfather was from North Carolina and we visit almost every summer, so I enjoyed listening from that aspect as well!