Hi everybody! I'm back again! I don't know about you, but I have discovered through this blogging experience that commenting on anothers blog is a great way to become friends! Blogging is a very personal experience for the author. But for it to become a personal experience for those reading the blog, one must interact with the author. I have found that I sit in class with my classmates and do not know the majority of their names! But, since we have begun this blogging experience, I am getting to know them by reading their posts. It truly does make the classroom of students feel more like a small community. I also learned that to be an effective blogger, I need to respond to my readers comments. I will admit to not doing a good job of that so far. But...I'll get there! What about you? Do you try to respond to everyone's comments? I am also thinking about posting a controversial blog, just to see if the comments on that type of blog are greater than the comments on my regular blogs. Have you ever thought about taking it up a notch? I'm going to having to give that one some more thought.
I selected these first five blogs of my classmates because I either recognized the names and could put a face to the avatar, or because they were ahead of me and I was curious. The classmates I responded to were: Mary Ann Swaney - Thing 1
Shammontree's 23 Things
Valeta Winn - Thing 1
Jessica Baggett - Thing 3
Christen Lancaster - Thing 3
The two outside blogs I posted on were two of my friends blogs. I thought it would be interesting to actually post on someones blog that I recognized. They are:
Shelly Deason.com
Barnabasblog
On both of these blogs I commented that I enjoyed their post and would return for future visits! The first blog is of a friend of mine who blogs about overcoming abuse as a child. The second blog is written by a pastor friend who enjoys blogging about various scriptures.
Would you rather post on someone's blog you know or a stranger's? Hmm.....something to think about..........
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thing #3
Hi! I sure hope your blogging experience is as exciting as mine! I'm really getting into this posting my opinions thing. LOL This week's "Thing 3" led me to some exciting ideas!
I had never truly thought about using a blog in my classroom. But after researching its usage, the possibilities are endless! I don't know about you, but students these days are so much smarter than I was at their age. I actually asked my eleven year old if his class used blogs. He looked at me as if he couldn't believe what a stupid question I had just asked him! He said, "Well, yeah! All my classes use 'em." So.....needless to say after that statement, I decided it must be the "in thing" and I had better do some research.
Some of the great ways I found to use blogs are:
1. Post weekly challenges such as a riddle or brainteaser that requires the students to think creatively and critically. Ask students to post their answers on the blog then discuss the solutions with the whole class at the end of the week. This will tremendously improve their problem-solving skills.
2. Use a section in my blog for classroom news. Work with students to identify the kinds of information they would like to share with their parents, then engage them in writing and posting daily or weekly news updates.
3. Use blogs for classroom projects where students can include videos, clips, audio, text and images.
4. Use blogs for peer learning. Get students to read their colleagues writings and underline spelling and grammatical mistakes.
5. Use my blog as a communicative tool both with my students and their parents.
What do you think? I'm sure you have your own ideas about how to use a blog in your classroom. I would love to hear it! Post away...............
I had never truly thought about using a blog in my classroom. But after researching its usage, the possibilities are endless! I don't know about you, but students these days are so much smarter than I was at their age. I actually asked my eleven year old if his class used blogs. He looked at me as if he couldn't believe what a stupid question I had just asked him! He said, "Well, yeah! All my classes use 'em." So.....needless to say after that statement, I decided it must be the "in thing" and I had better do some research.
Some of the great ways I found to use blogs are:
1. Post weekly challenges such as a riddle or brainteaser that requires the students to think creatively and critically. Ask students to post their answers on the blog then discuss the solutions with the whole class at the end of the week. This will tremendously improve their problem-solving skills.
2. Use a section in my blog for classroom news. Work with students to identify the kinds of information they would like to share with their parents, then engage them in writing and posting daily or weekly news updates.
3. Use blogs for classroom projects where students can include videos, clips, audio, text and images.
4. Use blogs for peer learning. Get students to read their colleagues writings and underline spelling and grammatical mistakes.
5. Use my blog as a communicative tool both with my students and their parents.
What do you think? I'm sure you have your own ideas about how to use a blog in your classroom. I would love to hear it! Post away...............
Thing #2
Well, here we are again! Whew! I don't know about anyone else, but I am EXTREMELY technically challenged. So, posting for this blog was a nightmare for me. I am fully expecting to get better as time goes along though. So, if you see a typo or a grammatical error......be patient! Ok????
I have friends who are regular "bloggers." But, to be honest, I just never really got into the craze. I could say it is because I really don't have the time to post my thoughts and read everyone else's. But truthfully, it's because I have a hard time doing anything on a computer but checking my email and facebook.
I took the easy way out and elected to attach my subject matter, "23 Things" to my blog address. I figure if anyone out there decides to actually look up these points for a future class discussion, they may actually come read my ramblings!
I actually tried to design my avatar to look a little bit like me! I wonder what the percentage is of those who actually try and make a "mini-me?" That would be interesting to google, wouldn't it? If anyone actually does...post and let me know! Talk with you soon............
I have friends who are regular "bloggers." But, to be honest, I just never really got into the craze. I could say it is because I really don't have the time to post my thoughts and read everyone else's. But truthfully, it's because I have a hard time doing anything on a computer but checking my email and facebook.
I took the easy way out and elected to attach my subject matter, "23 Things" to my blog address. I figure if anyone out there decides to actually look up these points for a future class discussion, they may actually come read my ramblings!
I actually tried to design my avatar to look a little bit like me! I wonder what the percentage is of those who actually try and make a "mini-me?" That would be interesting to google, wouldn't it? If anyone actually does...post and let me know! Talk with you soon............
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thing #1
I enjoyed reading 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners! I love learning new things. I am the type of person who will try over and over again until I get a new concept correct. My husband tells me I'm "ocd"...and he may be right. :)
I have always said you are never too old to learn. When I first thought about re-entering college after so many years, I will admit to having more than a few reservations. But those reservations did not include my ability to learn something new. They mostly centered around time constraints. But, I have found the old adage, "Where there is a will, there is a way" to be true.
I believe the hardest for me of the 7 1/2 habits is #6, "Using technology to your advantage." I am not a technological person. Up to this point, my computer skills have been limited to email and Facebook. LOL So, while this class intimidates me, it also is very exciting to be learning skills that will make my career as a teacher more successful.
The easiest of the 7 1/2 habits or me is # 7. I have been a pastors wife for the last 15 years. Mentoring and teaching is a large part of that responsibility. So, I have no qualms instructing and mentoring others. I am a people person. I believe you must be if you are going to be a successful teacher/mentor to others.
I have always said you are never too old to learn. When I first thought about re-entering college after so many years, I will admit to having more than a few reservations. But those reservations did not include my ability to learn something new. They mostly centered around time constraints. But, I have found the old adage, "Where there is a will, there is a way" to be true.
I believe the hardest for me of the 7 1/2 habits is #6, "Using technology to your advantage." I am not a technological person. Up to this point, my computer skills have been limited to email and Facebook. LOL So, while this class intimidates me, it also is very exciting to be learning skills that will make my career as a teacher more successful.
The easiest of the 7 1/2 habits or me is # 7. I have been a pastors wife for the last 15 years. Mentoring and teaching is a large part of that responsibility. So, I have no qualms instructing and mentoring others. I am a people person. I believe you must be if you are going to be a successful teacher/mentor to others.
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