Journal 1

The article 'Extreme Makeover' discussed ways in which online tools can help further your old activities in the classroom. It is really such an improvement to our education systems because we are able to collaborate with other educators. Activities for students become much more appealing because they may feel they can relate to it. Writing tools can provide for an idea of concept mapping and publishing is made more desirable. Blogs are constantly being used to encourage students and administrators to take pride in their work and writing. Social bookmarking is such a good way to access and share your education tools with others. Photo sharing allows for a visual to be combined into a student's work. This provides a much deeper element to any assignment. Building reference resources can allow for the accuracy of student's and other's information to be constantly updated. Everything you need is edited right before you and makes writing tasks much easier. One thing that worries most people is the misuse of information received through the web. When using theses tools, students should be instructed to be responsible with they information they chose to use. The article 'Blogging Right Along' discusses why students should be able to communicate their understanding and interpretation of concepts. Blogging is a good tool for accessing this type of information. Students are able to refer to each other and bounce key ideas off of each other which really helps them to understand particular concepts. Using assessment is a huge part of this learning process. Sharing ideas helps to insure that. In conclusion, I found that these articles really opened my eyes to technology and how important its contribution is to our educational success.

Questions ...
1. How can blogging open doors for students and contribute to their educational successes?
Answer: According to the article, personal and educational journals provide a place for students to express themselves and share ideas with their peers. There is room for more encouragement and improvement because they are not just seeking advice from the instructor. Interacting with peers provides for a whole new level of learning. Having audiences to show your work to often builds this sense of pride that allows for a need to do well. Because of this, more time and care is taken into their work. Blogging also allows the administrator or instructor to monitor their work and to see the advancements made in their thinking process.
2. What kinds of things does a daily log allow for? What objectives are reached?
Answer: One of the most important things, in my opinion, is that the teacher is given the opportunity to identify with their students. This creates a different perspective in any process thereafter, such as grading or discussion. Another is that students, who may be working at a slower pace or could not be present for the information given, are given the opportunity to keep up with the rest of the class. Students needs can be met and maintained much more easily. Lastly, the material saved up over time can provide for great classroom content in reviewing for a test or exam. Anything that requires the cumulative knowledge of the content presented throughout the year or semester can refer back to the blogs.


Shifflet, R & Toledo, C (2008). Extreme Makeover: Updating Class Activities for the 21st Century. Learning Connections, 1, Retrieved July 15, 2008, from
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_June_July_2008.htm

Mader, J & Smith, B (2008). Blogging Right Along. Learning Connections, 1, Retrieved July 15, 2008, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_June_July_2008.htm