- EDLINE - which is our County's choice for programs when it comes to sharing information about our classes with parents and students of our classes.
- Blogging software- I can see a realistic use for using blogs in my classes.
- In-service time- I am currently working with our Instructional Facilitator in a manner of coming up with ideas for school-wide in-service next year.
- Supervisor commitment- in communication with our supervisor in order advocate for the use of blogging in the classroom.
I am still trying to go through the proper channels and talk to the right people in order to have blog sites, or at least certain ones, unblocked from our networks security. I still need to know what benefits the students get out of blogging and how to make it relevant in our class work so that our Office of Technology can understand our needs.
I welcome any suggestions that you might have.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful that you are working to set up blog sites where students can blog with their classmates. This is something beneficial for all students and allows them write more openly on topics of interest to them without the fear of receiving negative comments in a classroom setting. At my school, we are using Google Docs to type our blogs. I am able to review the information that students publish and parents can also view the information at home. This is something I just started this year and have had very little time to "play around" with it to see all of the benefits. This is something you may be able to use at your school as well. Great job!
There are some blogs that require you as the tesacher to approve all comments before they post. This is the type of blog that I can get approved for the filter - they want to be certain that no inappropriate material gets posted to avoid problems.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your progress!
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome that you have input into staff development topics for next year. We used to have that, but our administration has changed and now they make all of the decisions for us without any discussions about it.
You can most likely search for research of the benefits of blogs in the classroom. I believe one of our Walden courses has some articles on this topic. You would be best off using researched information rather than simply opinions.
Good luck on your quest for technology integration. You make a difference!
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI think that using a blog in your classroom would be a great idea but if your school blocks it, then it does nothing for you. I don't know if your school already has a permission form for computer usage in place or if you need to make a separate form for using a blog, but this may be something to consider. As far as convincing your technology team to allow the use of blogs, why not show them your blog. You can explain that your blog has been a great way for you to communicate with people across the country and that your hope is that your students would get the same benefits. Just an idea!
Good Luck!