One article I read titled "In the Classroom, Web Logs Are the new Bulletin Boards" in The New York Times recounted the use of blogs in an elementary school. The students essentially used the blogs as a journal, recounting various activities they had done throughout the day, as well as attempt to expand on what they had learned. The article goes on to say that blogs are ideal for teachers because they are easy to maintain, as opposed to a dedicated website. The teacher the article focuses on believes that students who don't speak as much in the classroom usually do so more online.
While I commend the ability of a blog to perhaps give voice to shy students I can't help but wonder if our ever increasing need to institute different forms of technology earlier and earlier in the classroom will make students feel as if peer to peer interaction isn't as important. Perhaps the very nature of blogs and the ease at which you can 'connect' with each other will instill the students with relationships that will continue outside the confines of a computer.
Selingo, Jeffrey. "In the Classroom, Web Logs Are the New Bulletin Boards." The New York Times (19 Aug, 2004) Web. 6 Jan 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/19/technology/in-the-classroom-web-logs-are-the-new-bulletin-boards.html
Hey Joel! Great thoughts... In my experience, technology has enhanced my relationships with people. It has allowed me to keep long distance relationships that otherwise would have failed. With texting and online social networking, there are many social annoyances and pressures that are avoided. I actually stay closer with people that I text than those who I do not text. It has helped my relationship with my neighbors and my relationship with my in-laws. Weird hugh? You just communicate better, more often, and avoid social awkwardness. Positive reinforcement everywhere! I know this doesn't sound good for the whole actually learning to deal with social situations. Anyway, just some thoughts. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI'm concerned about privacy issues, especially with children who have no way of knowing what this kind of public commenting can do. Now, surely no one is going to hold elementary, even junior high school blogging against kids. But, it certainly teaches that it is a very acceptable and natural way of communicating.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else share these concerns?
jan
It seems counter productive to think that students can learn better or relate and communicate better online than face to face. But it's actually reported again and again by that students to learn better with online classes and that they communicate more thoroughly and thoughtfully online. Weird! And maybe even true.
ReplyDeleteRegardless we need to continue to teach the best we can and to continue to assess the results. Sounds like some long term research project for some PhD.
Privacy is always, always a concern and should be a consideration in all efforts. Blogging with young students should be connected to good strong advice about what personal information should be or shouldn't be included on the Internet.
Thanks for the article review, Joel.