So how does one go about getting people to read and comment on one's blog? Right now, I feel my blog is rather silly. Who cares what I've got to say about anything? And the lack of comments just prove that correct. But I suppose when any of us sit down and create a blog, the key motivating factor is internal, not external. We have thoughts we want expressed, but we want to carefully express them. And we want them clarified so that someone else reading them has a clue what we're going on about.
So as far as writing instruction, blogs are definitely a 21st century learning tool that need incorporation. However, to truly and effectively incorporate blogs, at what point in the educational hiearchy do we start teaching keyboarding? I know in Virginia it isn't an "SOL" (Standards of Learning), so the time devoted to it in instruction is zero. We have a typing program on our server, yet I don't see teachers using that for "free time." Instead, they let the kids get on the computer and play games (most of which have some tie to education). But for our digital natives, keyboarding needs to go side by side with Denalian lettering if we hope to tap into 21st century learning technology.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Ta-Da! Web 2.0 Here I Come
Well, here's my blog (named in honor of Hermione Granger's favorite room--the library). In all honesty I have created blogs before. I think my problem is advertising--I need to get more exposure on my blog and start reading and responding to more blogs.
As for the class, it's really causing me to think. Right now, the readings, videos, and postings are in heavy competition with HP Book 6; I'd have to say it's tied. (Part of me is quite fascinated with the success of Harry Potter with our digital natives as Harry's world is very old-fashioned and un-modern).
From what we've covered so far in class, it is obvious that we are in the midst of a paradigmatic shift and education needs to catch on and keep up. Actually, the paradigm probably has already shifted and we're just now really waking up to it (glad I read Thomas Kuhn). Right now our students eagerly sit down at the computer (I teach at the elementary level). But when they find out they have to read the information, take notes, and use it in an assignment, their enthusiasm fades. Too many of the younger students simply play games on the computer. So for me the question is how can I use a tool such as blogging to transition the students to more meaningful computer experiences? Obviously a good start would be to have them post comments about their favorite gaming sites. I also want to try having them post a comment about the stories we read together during our library time. From here I can launch a more complex book review/dialogue blog with the older students and see where they take me!
As for the class, it's really causing me to think. Right now, the readings, videos, and postings are in heavy competition with HP Book 6; I'd have to say it's tied. (Part of me is quite fascinated with the success of Harry Potter with our digital natives as Harry's world is very old-fashioned and un-modern).
From what we've covered so far in class, it is obvious that we are in the midst of a paradigmatic shift and education needs to catch on and keep up. Actually, the paradigm probably has already shifted and we're just now really waking up to it (glad I read Thomas Kuhn). Right now our students eagerly sit down at the computer (I teach at the elementary level). But when they find out they have to read the information, take notes, and use it in an assignment, their enthusiasm fades. Too many of the younger students simply play games on the computer. So for me the question is how can I use a tool such as blogging to transition the students to more meaningful computer experiences? Obviously a good start would be to have them post comments about their favorite gaming sites. I also want to try having them post a comment about the stories we read together during our library time. From here I can launch a more complex book review/dialogue blog with the older students and see where they take me!
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