Week 3 - Weblogs

    Upon reading chapters 2 and 3 from the Richardson text as well as the articles on "HOT Blogging" and Connecting with Authors Blogs, I still feel completely blown out of the water for all that I did not know, and most likely still have to learn, about blogs.  Not only the topic of blogs or their creation, but the utility and  resource in the growing world of literacy in the classroom.  I feel excited about the possibilities because they seem endless, however, I also feel daunted and nervous about the many considerations that must also be incorporated into classroom blogging.

   The readings offered very helpful information on how to begin blogs and select blogging programs, as well as thoughtful insights as to security policies and classroom implementation.  The whole task seems a little intimidating at first.  I see so many positive features to using classroom blogs.  For example, being able to read and learn about insights directly from authors of texts can help students feel more connected to what they read, as well as have a deeper understanding of editing/ writing processes.  The ability to showcase art, poems, high achievements, and well contemplated blogs to help promote publication and connectivity, as well as fostering pride in students' works is a great asset to blogging.  A part of the publication makes writing authentic.  I really enjoy that student's work would no longer be an exchange between only that student and the teacher, but have real meaning and extension throughout the classroom and inter web communities.    I also love the enviornmentally friendly direction blogging can eventually take all classrooms.  With the ability to post via the internet, the classroom has the potential to become as paperless as possible.

    However, I do feel some concerns about the implementation of classroom blogging.  I worry about the extensive amount of time that would need to be involved in setting blogs up, managing, considering security, involving district authorities and parents, teaching students, trouble shooting, and who knows what else.  I do understand that with all new processes of learning things take time and once time has been devoted to a new task, things become more rapid with time and practice.  It is just, as I have already noted, the entire task can seem overwhelming, and I still worry for less computer savvy teachers.  I also feel a degree of concern for the special education community.   Blogging might be the avenue to finally equalizing some students with their on level or more advanced peers.  Blogging might also create a voice for the less outgoing students.  However, I worry about the disconnect of higher level synthesis and comprehension for some students.  I wonder what assistance will be given to non verbal students or physically disabled children.

I do suppose all of these concerns are natural and perhaps other teachers have already faced these issues and I can use edublog to ease my mind. 

Who knows everything is out there on the internet these days, right?