Blogs In My Future Classroom

There are several ways that I, along with the students I would work with, could use web logs to facilitate learning. As an instructor, using a web log would provide me with the opportunity to keep in touch with my students on many levels. The web log allows for the posting of new content, observations and suggestions in the course blog. It could also be used to post upcoming assignments and announcements.

Blogging could be successfully implemented with my future students by allowing them to participate in classes for credit without physically having to attend. Blogging is a wonderful tool to assist in helping groups communicate with each other for group projects. It allows everyone to be “on the same page” both literally and figuratively. Blogging is both time and space efficient affording any number of people in any number of places instant access to the shared thoughts, opinions and ideas of one another. It is not necessary for bloggers to be online at the same time which affords the students great flexibility and freedom to utilize their time in the way that best meets their personal needs. Blogging allows for immediate clarification and reinforcement and provides a communication link that can be as personal or general as the bloggers desire. For those students who may not be comfortable speaking in front of others, or asking a question in front of a group, the blog provides a safe way to have one’s questions answered and receive feedback that is far less personally confronting than face to face contact with others.

When talking to students who I would be teaching how to blog, I would recommend that they first take a general computer class so that they would be comfortable using a computer. Familiarity with Windows, keyboarding and the internet are vital for one to have confidence in their ability to blog and create blogs. Computer confidence would benefit students who need to utilize blogs as part of their curriculum. Though computer savvy helps with the technical aspects of the on-line assignments, if a student has trouble with language (reading and answering questions and interpreting what has been read), the assignments can still pose a challenge. To assist them in this area, I would suggest that they have a backup plan for help related to those issues. Online class work in this instance, might require a student to allow much more time than they might think they need to complete assignments so as not to get behind or become overwhelmed by the content rather than the process.