Week 1 Comprehensive assignment

If I were teaching right now, I would definitely consider using a blog, for myself and for my students. I feel like a blog is an interesting means of determining a student’s understanding of the information covered in class. It allows the reader to see how the student applies what they have learned as well as finding out what gaps there are. It can also be useful for gauging a students learning style. A blog also allows them the opportunity to be creative. The act of writing, whether it is entirely grammatically correct or not, can have a profound affect on the student’s ability to process information. I also really like the idea of using the blog as a means to receive nearly immediate feedback from support systems in the form of other students or the teacher. The remediation opportunities that the blog affords can be priceless.


With the use of the technology literacy worksheet, I determined that it was the high functioning forms of website construction and other web applications like wikis and podcasts creation that I was in most need of grasping in order to expand my technology knowledge. I believe that while I am in school I am afforded the rare opportunity to work on these things so as to create an arsenal of useful material that could also be used straight away when I finally begin teaching. I would most definitely like to see the use of a class wiki and blogging take place from day one in my classrooms. I think these forms technology could truly engage the high school student in the sometimes difficult process of learning science.

Unfortunately, there are always difficulties that could occur in making this ideal scenario happen, the lack of access to computers by all students being the most prominent. This could be alleviated somewhat by creating regular times for all students to have access to the school’s computer lab, but that is still a limitation to the learning process. Another option would be to create an after school group that could meet as many days a week as the students would like so that those without easy access could participate as well. Also, students could be paired up so that those without computers could use computers at the home of fellow classmates. Additionally, not all students are at a similar level, technologically speaking. Though once given access to the necessary technology I believe all students have the potential to succeed, those who are not able to have home access to computers may find the process, or the opportunity to participate at all, more difficult.

Step 1--Thinking of something to write.

Blogging is not a new media for me; however, I have always found it a difficult thing with which to keep up.  Just as with journaling, I lose interest, or feel that I have nothing worth writing.  Honestly, I have nothing to write, why would anyone want to read that?  Funny thing though, I have found myself reading the nothing others have posted, so in light of that, here ya go...me thinking of something to write.

The process of blogging is easy to establish, and difficult to maintain.  It, as with so many endeavors, is about the persistence of the blogger to delve into their life or the world around them, and then wax poetic (hopefully) about their preferred area of interest.  The bugger of being a blogger is not to get bogged down.  Life is in the details, but sometimes the details can get in the way.

So as I embark on my second graduate level course, I will try to keep this blog spicy with a hint of interesting...not making any promises though ;-)