Blogs in the Classroom

Throughout the class, I have been thoroughly astounded. It seems as though it had been but a mere few weeks. Now a semester has gone and I feel like I have learned more than I have in all my 4 years here put together. Before this semester, I felt like I would never be competent enough to be a teacher. I did not even know where I would begin, now I feel like I can do anything in the classroom. Blogs, for example, are a very good tool to get someone talking. Especially in highschool, it is hard to get teens to write. Blogs will be an excellent source to get them started. I know that when I started a blog, I did not feel taken aback by it in any way. It feels as though you are having a conversation with a friend.

In the classroom, what I will probably have my students do is keep journal entries on the topics we discuss in class. Initially, I might have them pre-writing essays in blogs. I think I will also have my students document their progress as writers. This way, even the students can see how far they have gotten. Previous to this class, I had thought about using technology as a means to drive the students in. I had not thought about the multitude of ways I could do so. Especially in a blog, where there is so many possibilities for free writing, having online conversations with the class, analyzing videos or pictures. The possibilities are endless. I only hope that the technology is available for my students to access. I will keep my eyes open for innovative ways of teaching as I go along, because tapping into resources that students already use on their leisure time is a very good way of attracting their attention. It will get them learning and thinking. For now, I will consume as much information as I can so I can bring it into the classroom.