Journal #1 Learning & Leading with Technology (NETS-T II, IV)

Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning and Leading, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-february-march-2011.aspx

Daniel Light, along with his colleague Deborah Polin, are experts on technology in the classroom. Not only do they fully understand the importance of technology in the classroom, but they investigate what works in the classroom and what doesn’t.

One technological assignment was for students to create a blog for their homework assignments and/or to reflect on a certain aspect that the teacher had presented to the classroom. The students were not thrilled to say the least, mainly because they did not want others to read their homework assignments and felt that most would not want to read about what they thought. One positive that came from blogs was when a teacher asked the students to anonymously communicate with the teacher through blog on how they felt the lesson went in the classroom. Anonymity seemed to be the key in this case.

One possible issue for using the internet for class assignments and/or in the classroom was that of what the public could see. Once something hits the internet (particularly with blogs), unless there are certain settings, other people can see what children are writing and comment on it without filter. This can, of course, be changed with certain restrictions, such as classroom interaction only and/or to those the student knows.

Overall it seems like the internet can be a positive contributor for student interaction. However, it seems as if for right now, most students would rather hide behind their computer as an alias as opposed to a student.

Questions

1. What are some pros and cons to using a blog as a homework assignment?
A pro to using a blog to turn in assignments is that, depending upon the settings, the teacher can deligate who sees the work and who does not. For example, if the student is struggling in the classroom, perhaps the teacher could subscribe the blog to that student's parent to see what could be helped at home. A con to using a blog to turn in assignments is that without anonymity, most students feel uninterested in the assignment as well as feel as if they have no reason to comment on any subject that anyone else would want to listen to.

2. How would you use blogs in your classroom so that students would feel they could enjoy the process?
I would use this as a writing assignment for the children, but with a balance between work and personal. I would also probably have them assign themselves a code that only I am aware of as well as they are, that way the students would not feel afraid to say what they feel for fear that the other students might make fun of them.