Blogs - Give and Receive!

Here are two examples of blogs group members and I have done in another course.  I think blogs are an excellent way to incorporate technology into the classroom.  As you can see, using this medium allows teachers to present a whole unit of information such as with the frog blog to students who can view it at any time to participate in reading, writing, science, art and other fun activities the teacher has provided.

Tadpole Teachers - Our Frog Blog!

The second example below would be more like something a student would hand in to a teacher.  Information gathered about a specific subject can be presented through videos, pictures, write ups as well as additional links from sources and interactive sections such as polls.  Teachers are able to check sources through links provided and assess the student based on what the student has presented.  Students can work on such projects like these from any location at any time.

Assistive Technology for the Hearing Impaired

Blogs can be a formal or relaxed way of communicating between students and teachers, depending on the nature of the assignment.  They can also be set up as a communication tool in which assignment outlines, rubrics and due dates can be posted and students can ask teachers questions about what they are working on.  Class blogs can also be set up where parents can communicate as well with the teachers.  Blogs can be open or closed, so people concerned about privacy can arrange their settings according to their wishes.

Play in the Sandbox!

What do children do when they get together in a sandbox?  They play! 

Blackboard Collaborate is a neat way to expose students to classrooms all over the province, country and world.  I once took a course that had a classmate join us from India!  When I was a student, having a class write pen-pal letters was as close as we got to communicating with students from another area, now we can see their faces and hear their voices - in real time.  With Collaborate I can have my students connect with others for lessons, discussions and presentations.  I love the idea of students from different areas getting to share their views and ideas on content presented on Collaborate. 

There are so many possible uses for Collaborate, it not only lets you join together to learn with others from areas as close as in the next room to as far away as across the planet, it also has a neat feature called "Sandbox" in which students (and teachers) can meet outside of class time to develop, discuss and play about.  This is very helpful for group assignments.  Students can load power points, do web tours, hold discussions via chat box, over a microphone or web cam, and use a virtual whiteboard to help hash out details or ask questions regarding upcoming work.  Students can sign in at any time, but work is not carried over and needs to be saved by the user.  

Blackboard Collaborate - Check out the video on this page for a quick look at what Maurice Heiblum, the president of Blackboard Collaborate feels student are looking for in their education.

What role will social media and digital technology play in future classrooms?

Social media  and digital technology are developing quickly and have become an important aspect in many people's lives.  Whether it's the boss texting employees about an  upcoming meeting or friends sharing thoughts on a recent movie, these technologies have had a major impact on society today and I don't doubt they will continue to do so in the future.  I would like to think that this type of technology will play more of role in my future classroom than it does at the present time.  Part of my current uneasiness has to do with the fact I teach grade 3 and I am unsure of how to integrate such devices and sites into working with 8 and 9 year olds.  Another reason is my own lack of knowledge regarding these technologies.  It seems by the time I have figured out how to use a certain program or site, things have moved on to bigger and better things. 


But, students are saying, "Engage Me!"  Can I really ignore their pleas when they ask, "How Will You Teach Me?"  I may not be able to do all the things at once, but I can begin to incorporate more and more technologies into my everyday lessons. While I still think that there are some areas where more leg work has to be done, I do see a place for more use of technologies such as blogs, Skype, video lessons, and online communications.  Students have so much knowledge in these areas already, I'm sure they could help me bring some of them into our classroom community.  Do I think everything has to be done electronically?  No, but I think neglecting to use such popular and widespread tools would be an injustice to my students.  

PS:  Did you check out the two links in the paragraph above?  If you missed them, check them out!