A ‘blog’ is short for ‘weblog’. It is a website that is easy to use because you need no knowledge of HTML. Great for technophobic teachers.
You can make a private community to create, publish and share ideas. How can we use it ? Let’s start a list and discover more uses.
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classroom websites
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writing portfolios
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webquests
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teacher/learner posts to communicate
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reading portfolios
”Blogs” (Enda Toumey ADMC – Feb.2007) has the following links:
http://edublogs.org/10-ways-to-use-youredublog-to-teach/
http://www.pembinatrails.ca/program/technology/uses_of_blogs_in_education.htm
http://www.walsallschools.org/uses
http://blogherald.com/2008/01/24/edublogs-campus-bringing-blogs-to-schools/
Free blogging websites:
http://edublogs.org/ (note for public viewing )
Task 2
a. Start researching from above links and search other websites for authentic examples of blogs to support learning.
b. What are your thoughts?
c. What are two different ways you could use this tool with learners ? (Do not repeat ideas- create new applications).
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a. In task one I spoke about ICT tool which blogspot.com it is the same as blogger.com
There are school communities having sites where teachers and students interact actively.
b. I think these sites gives people including students and teachers the chance of expressing themselves freely and creatively without being under the stress.
I’d definitely use it because I feel that its motivating.
c. Two different ways of using this tool:
1. Managing Tasks: Teachers could use webblogs/site as organization chart or timetable for students’ task where students could follow up with work and be on track with their assignments and projects.
2. Competitions: webblogs could be fun and exciting. Teachers could do a challenge each week through the website where students would submit something creative like a written task, photo, video, recording etc… And by the end of each week a winner would be announced throw the website.
1- There are lots of cons and pros of using web logs, but focusing on the positive side I thought blogs provides the opportunity for teachers and students to be creative and have closer relationship by communicating and interacting about interesting topics, and sharing useful ideas, information and websites.
2- There are many ways to use this tool with learners
First of all, the teacher can choose weblog to teach some lessons especially reading lessons and report writing. The teacher can ask students to read book or articles. etc and reflect on their reading (discuss the benefits, what they learn, what they enjoy.. etc) by using blogs. Consequently, students will be motivated and they will learn and feel that every things they read, write and do is for purpose. Also, blogs will give students the chance to express their opinions freely.
In addition, the teacher can use the blogs to provide and share with the students some useful educational websites, that assist their learning and progress. Also, she can put up her lessons plan and ask students about what they want to learn next lesson and how they like to learn it. This blogs will help the teacher to explore her/his students’ personalities and interests so the lesson will be more interesting.
Amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing, really it is amazing tool of learning and education. I mean for me (who is new to the idea of bolgs) I feel like someone who lived above a treasure that he/she never knew anything about it.
Honestly, after using these websites and exploring them, I think I am slowly moving toward the idea of using ICT in classroom, because I find it is so useful to motivate students, which I consider it the most important element in learning.
Moreover, I discovered that it is not just the students and the teachers how can benefit of using the blogs, all stakeholder members (teachers, administrators, parent, etc) are able to use it to involve effectively in the learning process.
From my point of view I think of two main ways of using blogs:
a. from teacher perspective: I can use it to assist my students’ progresses especially in writing, for instance, after talking about a topic during the lesson, we can then post our comment to the blogs and enable the whole class to read it.
b. b. from the students perspective: use it to improve their language and find out what people think and their different opinions, which I believe will help them critics and think of an issue form different dimensions.
A. Mind blowing! I personally I like these different types of blogs, which would be suitable for various levels of learners.
B. From my point of view these amazing tools provide people especially teachers and students and even stakeholders opportunities to express and share their thoughts and ideas with people not just in the classrooms but also invite someone else as well. Moreover, what makes it good that it’s free, so that anyone can use and create their own blogs. Isn’t it amazing?!
C. There are many different ways of using these tools according to who is using them.
• Teachers: teachers could use them to
a. Not only managing the tasks but also as a virtual space for an international classroom language exchange. In this scenario, learners from different countries would have joint access and publishing rights to the blog. The entire exchange would then be transparent to all readers and could be followed and commented on by other learners, tutors, parents and friends.
b. Facilitates conversation-based classes where it could be used like a free-form bulletin board for learners to post messages, images, and links related to classroom discussion topics. It could also be a space for them to post thoughts on a common theme assigned for homework.
• Students: students could work and do their tasks online, work collaboratively and be aware of what’s going on in the classroom by following each others work.
a. I did my reasche in different sites we were provided with…it was really so much…Yes, so much..
b. Everything now is taken up by technology even EDUCATION.. Although these sites are useful for whom share the interest but they are so much..so much in everything..I can spent days and days and may be months to read (espcially if I got cought up with something interesting)..thats toooooo much…
why we have to read all of this, if I had a book which I can read the chapter that I like and leave it for now and contiue when I am in need to read the rest later on..also, I will not need to open my labtop to read them..I can lay down and engoy Harmer to sleep…
So much information can discourage from reading (although I love to read) because of the prosperity of information that we can’t digest all of it at once..Yes, these websites are able to keep all these information. Nevertheless, with all these new post everyday or even every mintues..can deter us from searching and reading..
Another thing that crossed my mind..is how these websites can be a way of communication with people that you live with and study with for a long period of time..which can be easily access to them daily face to face..
c. there were many different ways in using these tools in with learners..However, I couldn’t think of new ways to use them since I don’t agree in using them so much..as for our environmen that doesn’t encourage this way of teaching and communication.
a- I looked at the websites above and I found that it is provide a lot of authentic learning. In addition, I found another website, which can be used by the teacher and students their own blogs http://awd.cl.uh.edu/blog/
b- I think that using blogs is a practical method in teaching and learning. That is because the information is post in the site and both teacher and students can refer to it any time. Therefore, I am very interested to use this new teaching style or method in my future career as a teacher. However, I encourage this method to some extend because I believe that we should not rely on one teaching resource or method.
c- 1- Using blogs in learning may increase the participation with some shy and weak students in the classroom b more chance to think and research for the information
2- sharing information not only between one classroom, but can increase the members of the blog with other classes and school. That is going to motivate the students and wide their experience.
a- These sites are organized for educational purpose to build a much secure environment for students to share ideas and thoughts effectively along with teachers.
b-Using weblogs in teaching and learning process are an effective way to engage students especially teenager because they are obsess with technology and like to share their ideas and thoughts with others. It a good idea to use weblogs as a learning tool but I prefer to use it out side the classroom, for example to let the students use it at home or in their free time.
Other uses :
c- It could be used as a way of reflection after the lesson, were the students write their comments about the lesson and what did they like and didn’t and why. This way the teacher can improve her/ his ways of teaching. Also, as a future English teacher I would like to do a free writing blog to improve their writing skills were the students can write about any educational topic that interest them and their friends comments on it and start a discussion.