Week 3 Tool 1 Blog Reflection

Hello All I thought I would start today's topic of using ITC tool with this clip, It just goes to show you that you can get stupd on using ITC tools.

This week we are asked to reflect on creating a BLOG,  and how we would use the blog in a classroom, I have started with a PMI chart.
Well as I have newly discovered Blogs are not just about blogging,
No sir re there are all types of blogs to utilise in a learning environment.
So firstly WHAT is a Blog?
Well you are engaging in a blog right now, it is an informal web tool that is a is updated by the creator/ creators with information, links, journal entry anything that the creator pleases. What are the PMI of using a blog in the classroom?

PLUS

•    It is free, easy to create and use
•    It promotes literacy in the classroom
•   They are a great reflective tool where you are able to bring together your thoughts on different  topics or ideas
•   It can be used as a collaborative tool to gather research notes and share ideas with other class members or teacher
• It is great for students who are too shy to contribute in class to add ideas
• Teachers are able to monitor students’ progress and offer ideas
• Only the students who created the blog is able to edit the blog
•  It gives parents access so they are able to keep up to date with what their child may be learning at school
•  Provide links to different websites etc. that other students can also use
•  Students are able to access them in and out of school

MINUS

• Can be difficult for some students to use
• Must have internet connection to be able to access
• Limited blog set out options
• Blogs are not confidential, everyone can access them worldwide so anyone can post a comment, spam and not to mention hackers can access your private information.
• Cyber bulling and harassment may be a problem and would have to be monitor with guidelines.

INTERESTING

• Blogs can be used in a varied number of teaching areas, engaging students from all year levels (early years through to university)
• Can provide an opportunity to work in unison with other schools in the area or further abroad.
• Every student will have a different journey
• Teachers and parents can view students work
• It is student directed, promoting higher order thinking
• Supports and promotes productive pedagogical practices

After further research I believe:
 

Blogs can be used in the teaching environment to engage all students were learners can create a journal, personal reflection or portfolio to present to the class. It is some were teachers can put informal information or instructions, however that means students would have to flick back and forth between pages which still allowed for students to say they could not open the instructional page. It would be perfect to use in practical hands on subjects were students are frequently ask to keep a running journal for their work. (Art portfolio) Blogs can also be used as a class portal where students can access supplement material, links, podcast, homework and assessment tasks.  Best of all Blogs are really easy to use great was to promote literacy in the classroom.Literacy remains paramount in learning, not only for language development, but also as the foundation of all academic disciplines.

Resources used and retrieved from:



http://www.editlib.org/p/5680

http://designing.flexiblelearning.net.au/gallery/activities/blogs.htmhttp://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/
htt://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/documents/strategy/pdf/scbyte-elearning.pdf