Blogging in the Classroom

Continuing from the theme of integrating technology, I have an idea of how I can utilize the technological skill of blogging within my classroom, see below:

I am a firm believer in integrating new and interesting things in educating my students. Yes, at times like now, I get really tired; and I hear sly statements from students about how dumb the assignments seem. The negatives statements simply derive from a fear of trying something new. Students love when they get the hang of a new experience; it becomes fun when they realize they can do something. I teach 9th and 10th grade writing. Research has been the height of my innovation of technology. Presently, my students hold class forums to develop their own newsletter themes and topics to cover in their newsletter. Their first newsletter they decided upon their topics first. The first topic stressed a student's issue with the school's tardy policy. This thought streamed an array of school based issues my students were having. Their present newsletter's theme began with deciding upon a theme when a conversation sparked about a teen couple fighting in the halls "Teen Issues". Teen issues began to surface all around the room. What my students don't know is how this course has sparked a blog topic in my own thoughts.I think I will develop a blog site using this first question, "Your first newsletter was based upon issues you think the school has. Your present newsletter is based on issues you think teens have. What is the difference in school issues and teen issues? How are these issues alike; how are they different? Who do these issues affect? Why?" The purpose of this blog would be to teach students critical thinking skills, conventions of writing, and to integrate technology. My students are learning to embrace challenges for what they are 'education'. I think they may gripe at the idea of something else to do but once they realize it is an opportunity to converse about things they practically love to talk about anyway then they will gladly accept the challenge. They already know that if they gossip in my class, it must be clean and well constructed in their writing. It may not make the cut but they sure try to make it sound good! In conclusion, I am expecting two or three students to ask me if we will be able to link their newsletter so that it can be viewed online. I'll need to learn how to do that too because I'm predicting that request:). Hopefully, in my class blogging will become the "New Writing Genre" (p. 28).

What do you think about this idea?

Integrating Technology, The Time Is Now!

The time is now to integrate technology within education. I have worked in the field of education most of my professional career and people have always viewed me as technologically inclined; but the truth is, I just apply myself to whatever resources are available to me. I've gone to conferences where educators, that work in schools that integrate technology in every aspect of learning, are far more advanced than I am (technology-wise); so much more advanced that I feel out of place.

The world is ever changing, students teach themselves about technology most of the time; but the technology they use, we usually forbid in our classrooms, halls, even on campus! It is time to integrate technology, The Time Is Now! We find ways to increase salaries, buy departmental transportation, my school even bought a tractor. Don't ask me why, it's not like we have an Ag department for the students to learn how to use the tractor. Anyway, it's time to use some of those funds to upgrade technology for the future of our youth.

I have a computer lab in my classroom and all my students know how to do is type because most of the websites are blocked. They can hardly perform research. When will we stop being afraid to let our youth explore and accept the fact if we don't allow them learn about "the world" then they may just get a rude awakening when they officially become a part of "the world".

These are my thoughts about technology within our schools. In fact, I think I'm going to add into one of my lesson plans the opportunity for students to bring their favorite tech item to class and present their favorite functions. I can create a great writing assignment from this experience. Please, share your thoughts and concerns on this topic.