Blogging: Can Be Found in a Science Class Near You
Communication of subject matter is extending far beyond the classroom walls. Advances in teachnolgy are opening doors for more efficient teacher-student communication. The article "Blogging to Improve Instruction in Differiental Science Classrooms" discusses how blogs are being used in science classrooms. The article talks about how blogs are being used to combat the severe science teacher shortages. "Blogs can help to expand instructional time blogs expand instructional time by providing teachers with a user friendly online format to reimforce stresses and introduce new topics". Students are able to access course notes outside of the classroom as well as discuss topics with other students in the class.
Blogging, utalizes asynchornous or distant learning. By definition, asynchornous means not at the same time. In using this blogging feature students are learning at different times and different places. The notes they read off of the internet are read at their own pace, and in their own time much like Independent Study.
I feel that the face-to-face teaching approach is still the most effective approach, but using blogs to communicate ideas allows students to communicate with teachers outside of the classroom. With the shortage of science teachers it makes it easier for teachers to help students. Blogging also allows students to work with technlogy and to get comfortable with using it. In this day and age technological literacy is extremly important.
It would be wise to investigate how practical this is with low income students before making blog responses and readings a requirements . Not all students have the luxery of owning a computer, and it can be very difficult for younger students to gain access to one. It would also be interesting to learn how much student-teacher interation has improved because of the use of blogs.
If you would like to read the article "Blogging to Improve Instruction in Differeinated Science Clasrooms follow this link: http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.fgcu.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=5&hid=16&sid=591dc06d-1c1e-4001-8279-8e7049210d97%40sessionmgr3
posted by spot4 @ 3:59 PM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
I thank that blogs are helpful in this category if they are helping with a shortage of Science Teachers. I also agree that the individual, and private time for the students as well as the teachers is a good thing. Blogs also allow for a great experience, for the student's to have open communication amongst themselves as well as the teacher.
I also agree with the reasearch on low income families being useful. Not everyone can afford computers, and I do wonder what those student's do in these situations. I also wonder how hard, and time consuming blogging would be for ELL student's. Blogging is a wonderful technology, but I am sure there are those who experience difficulties with it. I would like to know more as well.
I think that blogs are very helpful in the classroom for the teachers way of communicating with the students on an individual basis. I did not think about low income families and those students having difficulties with blogging assignments. For the most part I think it is a beneficial addition to classrooms but there will always be downsides to every technology advancement that come to classrooms.
I definitely learned something new by reading your blog. I had no idea that there was a shortage of Science teachers! I never even took it into consideration that blogging would be a great tool to reach a great amount of students with a limited amount of teachers. I agree with you that this is a graet opportunity to have students explore the use of the computer; that is so essential these days! I think you did a great job covering the subject!! Good job Elizabeth!
I do believe that blogs can be an extremely helpful tool in the classroom, especially when there is a shortage of teachers. I think that most students will benefit from having blogs because it does allow them to review old material or learn new material at their own pace. However, I also believe that blogs should in no way replace face to face learning because I agree that learning in the classroom is usually more effective. There are also concerns that a lot of children might not have computers and those that do may not know how to use them well. Nevertheless, if we can work out these issues, I think that blogging can be a big advantage to any classroom.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home