Teachers for Virtual Choice

To blog, or not to blog? It is clear that blogging with students is a powerful tool in any teacher’s arsenal of education strategies.  Blogging is a very versatile tool that teachers can use to: building communities, make connections, check for understanding and network to name a few.  Blogging is not only versatile, but it can accommodate a variety of learning styles. My friend has a son who is shy and doesn’t really like to speak in a chat room or video conference where several other people are speaking.  He does however, enjoy blogging. Blogging gives him time to think about what he wants to say, and make his point clear. He doesn’t have to feel like he’s interrupting anyone. It works very well for him. So, why wouldn’t I want to incorporate a tool like this in my classroom?  To be honest, I’m afraid I wouldn’t check the blog as often as I should, or as often as I might be expected to. I spend so much time on the computer and using various forms of technology a...

Team Verbena Blog [1]   Beth Blogging in education can be an affordance for many types of activities.   Teachers and learners can both benefit from the critical reading, research, and reflective writing. All of the essential characteristics of meaningful blogs also create meaningful learning.   Blogs afford the opportunity for students to extend their learning by interacting with an authentic audience which also extends to the fact that students will need to understand and use these technology skills in many facets of their everyday lives. As with the most successful technology tools, blogs enable co-use and immediate feedback, and social interaction which are all instances of sharing that students enjoy in their social media and can find similar enjoyment of in the use of blogs in their learning. The Edublogs online Website is a current and progressive free tool with information and blog hosting that educators should consider when it is time to design learning th...

Teachers are passionate about being the best educators they can be for their students. Most teachers would probably also consider themselves “rule followers.” Combine these ideas with the traditional programs still in place for teacher  preparation  ( in the  2013 National Council on Teacher Quality review of Teacher Preparation Programs , technology integration is barely mentioned: "It takes about two years of research to develop a new standard. Among the areas in which we continue to search for consensus are: ... Use of technology in instruction, including blended learning" ) and traditional curriculum mandates, and we have frustrated teachers following a failing recipe for students’ futures. In order to meet their given job descriptions, teachers are unable to design appropriate learning experiences. At best, many are painfully aware they are failing their students. At worst, some blame technology and “society” for making their jobs impossible. The educational system...

Technology has provided new and exciting opportunities in the classroom. Projects that were unthinkable a few years ago are now possible with the help of new digital tools.  They have brought innovation and engagement. However, they also brought challenges, obstacles, and dilemmas. In the elementary classroom, we are encouraged and expected to incorporate technology into our daily lessons. Videos, podcasts, blogs, and wikis are all forms of technology that have a place in education, though not all necessarily in the elementary world. In the era of global communication, one of the most valuable tools seems to be blogs. They provide the opportunity for students to write for an audience and get authentic feedback, collaborate and learn from other "bloggers" and generate a conversation that will benefit future readers.  Authors like Will Richardson argue that blogs, when used in the right way, can increase motivation, critical thinking and promote collaboration. Bl...

Teachers are passionate about being the best educators they can be for their students. Most teachers would probably also consider themselves “rule followers.” Combine these ideas with the traditional programs still in place for teacher  preparation  ( in the  2013 National Council on Teacher Quality review of Teacher Preparation Programs , technology integration is barely mentioned: "It takes about two years of research to develop a new standard. Among the areas in which we continue to search for consensus are: ... Use of technology in instruction, including blended learning" ) and traditional curriculum mandates, and we have frustrated teachers following a failing recipe for students’ futures. In order to meet their given job descriptions, teachers are unable to design appropriate learning experiences. At best, many are painfully aware they are failing their students. At worst, some blame technology and “society” for making their jobs impossible. The educational syste...