Thing 3

I have to admit that I'm nervous about the idea of using blogs in my classroom. I still don't understand everything about them. I am so glad that I am doing this activity because it is going to open my eyes to the possibilities that blogs can offer. I can't imagine at this point though going to my principal and asking permission to do it.

I have been studying about blogs off and on since last summer when I took a technology class. It is taking me a little while to warm up to the idea. I hope that this experience will teach me enough about blogs to be able to use them in my classroom.

Based on what I know so far, I think that blogs in education can serve two important purposes. Blogs offer educators to network with other educators. We can support each other, offer suggestions, and share victories. Blogs offer use the opportunity to reflect on day and help each other by sharing our experiences and wisdom.

Blogs also have features that help our students, but this is where I'm feeling nervous. I don't understand about security and blogs and I know my principal and parents would be the first to bring this up. That said, I hope to one day set up a classroom blog for my classes. I have 125 students so I imagine that might be a lot of work for me, but I think that it would actually get my students involved. I know that it is easier for me to be "vocal" in a discussion board. I'm not one to speak up in class, but on the internet, I feel that I can be myself. I would love to give my students a place where they could post and discuss issues from history that we talk about in class. I would love to be able to post students' work and showcase it. I think it would inspire other students to work harder.

I am going to continue to explore Web2.0 applications so that I can hep my students get the most from technology.