Sample uses of blogs
Scenarios of how blogs can be used in pedagocial practice
Blogs for knowledge construction:Â Students choose a topic (from a proposal list) they are interested in and regularly write blog entries about their own research, their findings, their progress and difficulties. By generating a blogroll students identify and target a particular subject related audience and discourse community. Community members can assist with feedback and comments. Subsequently, such a group of subject related blogs becomes a “knowledge creation community”.
Blogs for reflective learning:Â Students use blogs to report about their internships (e.g. in schools, companies, etc.) or field work and critically reflect on their experiences, progress and deficiences. Thereby, they can gain knowledge and meaning for further professional development.
Blogs to enhance writing skills:Â Students use blogs to post their responses to class readings, including interpretations, critiques, comments and personal thoughts. Maybe a journalist or professional writer can be won to volunteer as editor. Also, pre-service teachers could collaborate with K12 students and give them feedback about their writing. In return, they would gain valuable experience.
Group Blogs:Â Students participate in a field trip, student exchange or work placement program (e.g. Leonardo Mobility Project) and blog the trip live each day. Parents and peers can participate in the students’ experiences and add comments. An online school or faculty newspaper could be another scenario for a group blog.
(from Blogs as a Teaching/Learning Space)Â http://www.sbg.ac.at/zfl/eTeaching_Skills/eTeaching_Weblogs/blogs_as_teachinglearning_space.html
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Using Their iPods to Your Advantage
This from the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” division.
Our students are so used to having headphones attached that they feel naked without them! Instead of fighting this, why not think about how we can provide content in an audio format?
The iTunes store is not just a place to buy music. It is a great repository of podcasts from all over the world on topics as varied as your curriculum. Did you know that more and more colleges are publishing lectures and other resources on a section of iTunes called iTunes U? Check out this tutorial from Apple to learn more.
Not interested in a whole lecture? There are LOTS of short podcasts available for free download or subscription. Some of the more popular ones are GrammarGirl, How Stuff Works, and yes, even MATH! Access them by opening iTunes, going to the iTunes store, and finding the link for podcasts. Once there, you will be able to sort them by categories- look for education. On the education page, there will be a link on the right side for POWERSEARCH. You can search the descriptions for specific content areas.
The photo below shows a selection of History options:
Sample of iTunes podcast selections
- Sample of iTunes podcast selections