Learning Through Blogs

Click the link to watch an I-Movie on my thoughts regarding the benefits of a Blog-o-Sphere!

my-first-project.mp4

Listen to my Podcast to hear my thoughts on assessment through blogs.

Assessment Podcast

     It is exciting that teachers are beginning to find work that challenges students, yet motivates them to improve, complete and engage in work!

After reading Jenni’s & Anna’s comments on motivation, maybe this is something to think about… if the motivation only lasts while the technology is new and exciting, how do we as teachers ensure there is always something new and exciting to offer!

These pictures show how the internet and technology can link students around the world. After reading literature that supports the use of blogging, one of the main benefits stated is the excitment and eagerness that studets experience from the comments made by others, from peers they know any online peers. As stated by Lena, whilst teachers should encourage / monitor students comments and the things that are appriorate to say,  this process is what makes students improve and perform at a higher level, as they want to impress their peers.

After reading literature on blogging, most of the literature say that blogging can be used as a mentoring program for students in the same school and different grades, or between different schools.

My critiques are based on the benefits of using blogging in the classroom. I believe that blogs are a way in which students have the ability to develop a love of learning. Blogging is an exciting experiance that allows students to manage their own thoughts, take responsibility for their work and provides them with an opportunity to engage in a different medium that is MUCH more exiting than completing a pen and paper excerise, and is much more benficial for their own development.

Blogging helps to keeps kids motivated and active learners, hungry for new knowledge and skills.

We don’t want our students falling asleep do we!?

After reading literature that comments on children’s reactions to to blogging, this doodle depicts exactly how students feel.

Risk taking, as discussed through Matthew’s Blog, is something that should be embraced with life. I think as teachers and human beings, educational risks are an important aspect of personal development.

With a positive attitude, patience and persistence we will all conquor the opportunities that Technology has to offer for life and in the classroom.

Games are an important aspect. There are a variety of ways in which games specifically educational games can be used, as stated by Anna, they can be used for motivation. I think that games offer students an opportunity to improve their confience, encourage particpation and in a variety of situations enhance social skills. Ie: Two students are completeing a Maths game online, and one person is typing and the other helping to work out the answers.

In general, I think that interactive games and software is something that the user needs to become familiar and confident in to obtain the most from them.

Technology, It’s a great thing. The problem is though when technology fails us! I woke up early this morning to go online, and begin my section for the rationale for task 1, which would later be followed by doing some readings from the resource folder in UTS online, only to find that UTS online is currently being ‘UPGRADED’ today!

I know there are many benefits of technology,  however today I am finding it almost impossible to embrace these benefits as I am seeing red! Whilst there are so many advantages, the problem with all technology is that it fails. And…when it fails there is nothing that we can do!

Its no wonder why schools used to use chalkboards!

After reading posts about my classmates progress, I definately have to say that I agree with Anna, Cassie & Lena. Most of the activities we have been completing I would have never had the confidence to achieve before attending this class such as Podcasts, Imovie, Blogs and Photoshop. I feel proud that I am finding it easy to complete the required tasks, but I am also really enjoying what we are doing, learning and experimenting with.

Everyday, I go home and think of different ways that this technology would be integrated into a K- 6 classroom. Its an exciting thought and I can’t wait to teach and motivate students through technology!