Kenya Standokes Tech Play 1

Tech Play 1 Blog

Definition of a Blog: My initial thought of blogging had to do with people writing posts about their opinions on a certain topic. I thought of it more of a book club type thing among a group of people. I didn't think of blogging as a method of learning before now. I thought it was more of a free time thing, as well. After reading and a doing a little more research, I see that there is so much to blogging than what I thought. Blogging serves many purposes. After looking up definitions, I see that my initial thought wasn't far from the actual definition of what a blog is and its purposes. The actual definition is, "a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style." Anything and everything can be written about in a blog, just depending on the author, and at any time, as much as possible. Also, blogs offer places where the readers or other authors may post comments to a blog. In a blog, the author may add pictures, videos, links, different themes and backgrounds, and much more. I have never used any type of blogging cite, so I am still learning how to use it. 

I would use blogging in the classroom for my students (depending on the grade level) to stay connected with classroom lessons and objectives. Not only will it be for the students, but for the parents as well, if I am teaching elementary. I would want there to be a blog for every unit we cover in the classroom, where the students and parents may ask questions or give their inputs to the unit. I would also want to add in tutorials or examples and activities the students may use or play that relate to the unit.  

Blog Sites: I looked around online for different blog sites (blog spot, blog.com, etc.), and they seem to have all of the same information and features for the most part as blogger. I decided to use this blogging site because I am using it in my other technology class, and I figured it would be easier to keep up with both class bloggings this way. Blogs are more casual and informal in some cases. With a blog, the author can write whatever they want to and there is no limit as to what they say.  

Affordances: Blogging is a great way to connect with other people. For me, starting up a blog was a little hard, since I have never used one before. Once I finally got the hang of it, I thought it was an alright tool to reach other people and get feedback from the readers. The blogging features allow me as a learner to develop my writing skills and be more open. I also like that I can make blogs with other people about a relatable topic and compare our thoughts. 

For My Lessons: Since I work in a high school (classroom assistant), I think the students would like blogging as a way of texting and using blogging as a way to talk to their peers. I would think that blogging could be incorporated with all content areas in some way. I pretty much like the idea of class discussions or class assignments through blogging. It seems that high schoolers tend to like more technology than pencil and paper. 

   I would try to present the blogging in a way that reaches, touches, and engages the students. All students and classes have a certain way or method of them becoming engaged students. Therefore, whatever works best with a group of students is what I will use. I will have to be sure it is student-centered. 

   Technology with the pedagogy in this case would be to show the students how blogging can be used through different forms of technology and all that blogging has to offer. Now to add to it, I would present them with the features and filters (because that is what they are in to now). I would have demonstrations of the different blogging usages and allow the class to do a group blogging session. I just had the idea of using the Freedom Writers' theme/idea and turning it into a blog form in some way, since I am working with SPED students in high school. 

Obstacles: For some students, they may not like the idea of blogging and it can become overwhelming to some. I like the idea of having different groups when there are lots of students in a class (like in my other technology class). For the students that I work with, setting up the blog would be the hard part for them to comprehend, but once we go step by step slowly, they should be able to start blogging.