Embracing Technology

I am going to use this space right now to talk about some strategies that has worked for me in the classroom.  I used to run my own website, but the up keep become too much.  Most of the times the students had trouble navigating it as well.  I always tried to make it simpler and simpler.  I found out over the years that more and more of my students have cell phones.  My first year teaching, none of my students had them, now almost all of my students use them.

Instead of using my own website to store and share information with my students, I switched over to Edmodo.  I found that the students like the application and it works on their phones.  It formats everything for me to make it mobile friendly.  It also creates and stores usernames and passwords for the students as well.  I have found that using existing technology is always easier than trying to create something on your own.  While you may not be in the same position as well (students with cell phones) it’s not a bad idea to survey your room and see how many you have.  You can always create groupings for the students.  Embracing technology is always a good thing in my mind. 

Current Events and Blogs

There are a variety of ways I can use blogs in my classroom.  One way I have used in the past and I could continue to do is current events.  Blogs can be a good way to share an article and I can discuss the article with my students.  The students can then post their thoughts on the article and even link one of their own.  Each student would have an opportunity for their voices to be heard and hear what others have to say.

In my government class, we could look at current issues in the city or the state.  It would provide a great idea for students to sound off their opinion on a proposed law.  This can give me an opportunity to see if the students are understanding the material based on their opinions and comments.  The blog could also be used as a forum for a different student to take charge each week and post an article for the class to discuss.

I think I could use the blog in the IB Geography class as part of my warm-up activity.  It could contain a poll or a graph that the students can comment on.  I think the use of graphics can be beneficial to the blog.   While I could do this in a variety of formats, I think the blog would be fun because the students could be required to do it outside of school and we could discuss the comments the following class. 

How easy things have become

I set a blog many years ago when I was teaching.  I kind of forgot about it.  I don't even remember the process.  When I set up the blog this time, I felt the process was very easy and straight forward.  One thing I have noticed with internet applications is how simple they have become.  I have used ebay for years to sell stuff around my house I no longer need.  I remember back in the late 90s how many different steps it would take to post something to sell.  I remember taking my time to make sure everything was perfect.  Recently I sold something on ebay and I believe it was less than a minute to post what I wanted.  This blog did not take much effort to set up either.  Trial and error is a great way for users and developers to perfect an application or website.  Over the years you learn what people can easily do and what they need help with.  I have always found the simple approach to be the best.  Blogger was pretty simple I thought.