The Technology Hammer

This is a follow up to the post "Time for Technology". A hammer makes a poor fingernail file. You shouldn’t use technology just for the sake of technology. If the tool fits, use it. If it doesn’t, then don’t. No amount of emails or texts are going to replace the human touch. But if you are separated by a great distance that may be the closest alternative. Also there is a time and a place for technology. The more self-disciplined we are with the use of technology the less restrictions society is going to impose upon us. If we can handle it wisely and with balance technology will be to our advantage. There is definitely a time and a place for technology so don’t go around smashing thumbs.

Available Blogging sites and their Alexas

Yahoo! 360° -- http://360.yahoo.com/ -- Alexa 1
MSN Spaces (Microsoft) -- http://spaces.msn.com/ -- Alexa 3
MySpace.com -- http://www.myspace.com/ -- Alexa 5
Blogger.com -- http://www.blogger.com/ -- Alexa 18
Xanga -- http://www.xanga.com/ -- Alexa 36
LiveJournal -- http://www.livejournal.com/ -- Alexa 63
GeekLog -- http://geeklog.sourceforge.net/ -- Alexa 100
TypePad -- http://www.typepad.com/ -- Alexa 142
Fotolog -- Fotolog.net Free foto-blogs, comments, mail a friend. -- Alexa
169
Jeeran Blogs -- http://www.jeeran.com/blogs/ -- Alexa 579 (arabic)
Salon.com Blogs -- www.salon.com/blogs -- Alexa 650
WordPress -- http://wordpress.org/ -- Alexa 806
WordPress -- http://www.wordpress.com/ -- Alexa 834
Multiply -- http://multiply.com/ -- Alexa 934

Blogs as a classroom media tool.

Okay, this is what I looked like when I made this blog. So if something isn't quite comprehensible at least you will understand why.

Now to the topic: blogs as an educational tool. I am going to list below some of the ideas I have had and seen using blogs in a classroom setting.


• As a presentation springboard (i.e. what I am doing right now)
• As a communication publication between parents and classroom. Linked below are some examples of this. This type of blog takes the place of earlier non-interactive websites

• http://hydergoodrich.blogspot.com/

• http://mrcsclassblog.blogspot.com

• http://aessnapp.blogspot.com/

• As a homework center

• http://web.mac.com/dbuse64

• As a book report book review center

• http://www.kissthebook.blogspot.com/

• As a persuasive writing tool and precursor to the UBSCT.
• As a take home/out of class test or essay forum for students

• http://cougarlmc.blogspot.com/2009/01/financial-literacy-b2-what-have-i.html

• Probably the best tool is actually having the students to create their own weblog as assignments. This will push the students to the high order thinking levels that we so need to promote. Possible blog assignments include:

• Create a business blog to promote a product.

• Create a blog to present a biography of a scientist, mathematician, author, etc.

• Create a blog that introduces a math concept.

• Create a blog that tests a science hypothesis.

• Create a student poetry blog

With all these examples you have to be careful and wise be sure to caution students of web dangers and to protect there identities. Before posting student comments you should have parental permission. This should be part of your class disclosures.

Okay now it is your turn...Please post to the comment link below. Tell me your ideas. How can you use blogging as a tool in your own classroom.

Time for Technology

Technology is growing at such an alarming rate that it is hard to keep up with all that is available. Some people invest hours daily to stay on top of all their electronics. They have to make sure that their cell phones, PDAs, mP3 players are all charged and the files updated. They have to keep their Facebook or other social networking accounts current. Emails and texts have to be answered. Where do you stand with respect to technology? Are you addicted? How do you justify the time you spend on technology?