(3)+Communciation+and+Collabortation+Through+Blogging


 * Description: ** A Blog is a Web 2.0 application that allows real time informational updates from sources all over the world. News in the past was disseminated through the media by journalists who determined what was important and what was not. The idea behind blogging is that it allows anyone to report and post information as it happens to a blog. This allows for users to update and report on information as it happens. The practical uses of this in a classroom setting are that a blog can be utilized by students to get help from other classmates or to ask questions to the instructor as they need. Students can contact each other and help each other through the questions they may have. Blogs are useful tools to communicate about long term projects or to make last minute announcements that may pertain to the class. Use of this technology can further enhance classroom communication benefiting both the student and the instructor.


 * Analysis: ** After researching what Blogs were, I realized their importance and value in a classroom setting. The traditional method of contacting an instructor or fellow students in the class was usually addressed through email. This is problematic because it is dependent upon the frequency the instructor or fellow classmates check their email. By using Blogs, students and teachers can provide instant responses to questions that may be posted. A particular time slot can be set up for a classroom blog where the instructor can be involved to answer questions and provide feedback to the student. I can foresee the value of using a blg in my classroom to be able to better communicate with my students. This technology would allow me to gain instant feedback on any assignments that the students may be struggling with. I could also assign a blog post as a homework assignment in order to check comprehension of the day’s lesson rather than the traditional “skill and drill” homework assignments from the book.


 * Reflection ** : Figuring out the basics of setting up the blog was not too difficult. Prior to this assignment I have had no experience with using blogs. I have heard of them but never really understood their purpose of use. After creating the blog page and making some modifications to the main page, I found that adding tools to the blog was easy. I found that sharing the blog was rather simple as well. Once I worked out the navigational issues, I felt more comfortable with creating new posts. After viewing some blogs my classmates had created, I began to feel more confident with the whole idea and usage of Blogs. I will definitely use this technology in my classroom as I plan for future lessons and projects where communication between the students is necessary. I have enjoyed this new technology and look forward to applying it to my classroom.

[|**Communciation and Collabortation Through Blogging**]