Friday, September 29, 2006

I am very excited by this week's discussion. I am very interested in using blogging in my classroom. The major obstacle that I need to overcome is that my students do not have email addresses. I am looking for a blog site, especially an educational blog site, that does not require my students to have an email address. I believe that the use of blogs can enhance communication with parents, students and faculty. I also think that blogging can provide an outlet for students to express their thoughts and opinions in an open forum and allow for discussion where quieter students may be less inhibited.

I am also very glad that I am able to complete many of these assignments at work as I have been working some crazy hours. I am working on implementing the school website, writing a two grants, and setting up Accelerated Reader for my school. Of course, this all needs to be done yesterday or sooner. I do not think that I have left school before 9 pm a single day this week....It is also a very busy week at my other job. I am glad that I do not need much sleep!

I was wondering if anyone in the class uses Skype?? I have been very pleased with it thus far. Hope everyone has a great week!

5 Comments:

At 9/30/2006 09:44:00 PM, Blogger David Peter said...

A blog as a communicative device ... with parents, students and other stakeholders. And, since a blog is, in my opinion, conversational, it may improve stakeholder communication and perceptions. That's a great idea!

 
At 9/30/2006 11:47:00 PM, Blogger nia said...

Karen,

So there is a way you can comment to a blog without having an email address? Is that like sending in an editorial comment to a magazine or newspaper via a snail mail?

 
At 10/01/2006 02:05:00 PM, Blogger Karen Keffer said...

Georges,

I have just started using Skype, but so far I am pleased with it. My cell phone is notorious for dropping calls at very inopportune moments. I have not had this problem with Skype...

Karen

 
At 10/01/2006 02:08:00 PM, Blogger Karen Keffer said...

David,

I am trying hard to increase parent involvement at my school. There are many reasons that parents do not come to school, feelings of anxiety, remembrances of poor performance themselves, work hours that are not conducive, no babysitters and many more.

A blog is nonthreatening, it can be used at times that are convenient, is always available, and provides a new outlet for communication.

Karen

 
At 10/05/2006 12:02:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Karen, I agree! Blogging is a Carlos1.jpeg
great way of providing the students a safe, simple environment in which they can work together at any time to complete an assigned task. It facilitates also going into each student's home to 'talk' with their parents about their children's performance at school.This is cool since one does not have to contact the parents by waiting for them to visit the school, but this contact can be made at any time from any place. Blogs will definitely become a new tool for me. Regards!

 

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