I definitely see the uses for blogging. A blog has been used for classes that I teach and while students are apprehensive at first, by the end of the course they are appreciative of the new information. The Downes’ article mentions that there is a thought that blogging is “a set of personal comments and observations.” I agree that it is that but it is also so much more. The great thing about the use of blogs is that they are anything you want them to be. Users can range from beginners to experts and subject matter can be anything from educational in nature to medical blogs and information about raising children. I do not think we have even come close to meeting the potentials of blog use in education. In the future the full capabilities of this powerful tool may be realized but it will not be until those reluctant educators who refuse to learn how to integrate them into education will retire.
The area that struck me the most in Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning was number 6-Collegiality is What’s Needed. The information about staff development is spot on. It is important to NOT train teachers to use technology without the kids! I have seen this very thing backfire and the new teachers do not appreciate being “half trained” in the use of proper application of technology in the classroom. They are being done a great disservice. This was a real good article that highlighted some real issue regarding technology and education.
My expectations are to learn as much as I can about educational technology and how to apply it. I always enjoy a fresh perspective on some of the technologies that I am incorporating in my classes. I have already enjoyed reading the two articles and reading through everyone’s blogs.
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