Module 2 Assignment 1

I really enjoyed this activity, because this is something that I have been thinking about since our first class.  I really liked the idea of keeping a classroom blog going even after class is over, and next year with my new students and parents.  However I have struggling with ways to use a blog in an Elementary setting, other than as a communication tool with parents.  This activity really gave me a lot of ideas about a variety of different ways to use blogs with students.  Here are five of the ways that I discovered that blogs can be effectively used in a classroom.

Five ways blogs are being used in classrooms:

• To connect students to other students in other countries around the world and enable them to learn about other cultures!
• As a place to continue to write even after they have left the classroom.
• As a way to learn how to interact with others on the web.
• As practice working on their writing and articulation skills.
• As a communication tool for communicating with parents.

Out of all of the blogs that I explored during this activity my favorite was by far "Our World, Our Stories".  I think part of the reason that I really loved this blog is because I can definitely relate to it, as this is something that we teach in first grade!  I really liked the "real world" way that students were able to learn about other cultures through other students rather than just reading about them in a book.  I think this wonderful activity is something that will stick with all the students that were involved and make a lasting impression on them.  What better way to learn about another culture than to actually interact online with someone from that culture.  I really liked the way the students posted videos, and I think this is something my students would find really engaging!

One of the blogs I looked at which I loved Our World, Our Stories!