Chronicle of Wikipedia Article Change

On Friday, March the 6th, I added the term "Paper Punches" to the heading labeled "Common Terms" under "Scrapbooking" on the Wikipedia site. I wrote a short definition to provide an explanation for what paper punches are used for in the scrapbooking world. However, I did not know how to format the section in the same way in which they already had the previous terms formatted. As I checked on Saturday the 7th to see if the article change had stuck, it had been formatted to match the terms that were already present. The words were the same, and because it had been formatted to match the other terms, I would say yes the article change has stuck. It is still present in this same manner today, Wednesday the 11th.

Pros and Cons of Blogging in Education

There are several pros and cons of blogging in education. Some of the pros include: posting homework assignments, creating links, pose questions, and generate discussions, create a portfolio, archive feedback, and collaboration. These are things that can be done between students, principals, parents, teachers, and other staff members. The pros can go on and on because we live in a technology based world where everything runs through the internet in one way or another. Blogs allow for communication within the educational world. On the other hand, there are the cons: understanding, safety, and control to name a few. There is always the fact that when something is typed it can be taken in a very different context than something that has been said outloud. As always with the internet, there is a possibility of viruses and safety of the students, but these issues are becoming less and less of a threat daily. There is also the issue that teachers do not have complete control of what the students say and do via blogging, especially if it is done using a home computer. There are a variety of tools available through blog software to help with this new type of classroom management though. Overall, I would say that the positives outweigh the negatives, but it takes a teacher who has complete control over her classroom to handle such issues and assignments accordingly.


Harper, Vernon B., Jr. "The new student-teacher channel: if self-disclosure between teacher and student can boost learning outcomes, blogging may be its most effective mode." T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education) 33.3 (Oct 2005): 30(3). Computer Database. Gale. East Tennessee State Univ Library. 4 Mar. 2009
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Richardson, Will. "New Jersey High School learns the ABCs of blogging: Weblogs can create online forums for classroom discussion, and build student skills." T H E Journal (Technological Horizons In Education) 32.11 (June 2005): 40(1). Computer Database. Gale. East Tennessee State Univ Library. 4 Mar. 2009
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Recommended Educational Blogs

http://technosavvy.org/
http://teachersteachingteachers.org/
http://www.techsavvyed.net/
http://weblogg-ed.com/
http://www.tommarch.com/ozblog/
http://www.speedofcreativity.org/
http://kathyschrock.net/blog/
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/
http://www.infinitethinking.org/
http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/blogboard/
http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/

Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking is something that can be used in all aspects of education. It can be used for all teachers to have easier access to educational resources. As a future teacher (and a current student), it is easy to get bogged down in looking for information on the internet. By using social bookmarking sites, it makes site more organized and easy to find, and by joining a network, you then have access to other teachers' sites and information from the internet. This is useful within the classroom because teacher can integrate technology, activities, and information from the internet into instructional time for the benefit of the students. Overall, social bookmarking is something that makes life easier and more organized, and as future teachers, will make life easier at times.

Podcasting

I found the following podcasts on iTunes:

1) Aesop's Fables Podcast by LearnOutLoud.com (elementary school)
2) Why? The Science Show For Kids by Dr. Dave Brodbeck (middle school)
3) Chemistry - meaghersclasses by Richard Meagher (high school)

I listened to some of Dr. Brodbeck's Why? The Science Show For Kids and found that he explains things that are somewhat complex in a more simple way. This is good for middle school students because it introduces them to new and complex terms and ideas that they will continue to study, but it keeps them on a level that they can understatnd. I found that the podcasts offered ranged widely and would be good additions to any classroom. They would add a different perspective to the instructional time.

Poll Everywhere

Replace audience response hardware with Poll Everywhere

Google Docs Survey

Here I am posting the link to my Google Docs Survey. Please feel free to check it out or even fill it out if you would like. -Ashley


http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cEtEVnVEN3VheHNyRHlzRFRKUUlQWlE6MA