Blogs

=**Blogs**= In this assignment we were supposed to create an educational blog. Also, we were to comment on a blog made by one of our classmates. Then, we were supposed to visit a professional educational blog and write a review of it. []
 * My blog URL:**



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 * My post to another blog:**


 * Review:**



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 * Comment on Discussion Board:**
 * Review of a professional blog:**


 * Review:** I recently reviewed a blog by Lee Kraus. The blog post I read talked about 21st Century Learning Environment. It was very interesting becasue he spoke of how the home learning environment could be very useful for fostering 21st Century learning. This is because most students have computers and internet access at home. Teachers can teach students various lessons, but then students can actually go home and complete the assignments on their own. Through the access the students have at home, they can constantly be linked to teachers and other students.



http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/
 * Review of a professional blog:**


 * Review:** I recently read a blog by Cool Cat Teacher that was very interesting. She was talking about how young girls and people in general should be careful about telling where they are on a social network. For instance, she talked about how people often post on Facebook or Twitter how they are at the beach or in the mountains. Basically, her point was they are telling the internet world that they are not at their house. This could lead to a break in. Also, with young people, it is important for them to use social networks in a safe way. She talked about nine tips that can increase safety on the internet. I especially thought the information about geotagging was useful. Some students may not realize that their settings allow everyone to know their exact location when they post to social networks. It is important that they and their parents are aware of these settings so they can be better protected. I also liked her statement about not checking yourself in at home or a hotel. It is critical not to give out that kind of information to everyone on your friends list. Most importantly, if students and parents are educated in internet safety they will be able to act sensibly while using it.


 * Reflection:** My overall opinion of this assignment is good. I really enjoy writing, so this is the perfect outlet for me to express how I feel. I think blogging is a great way to express your opinion, as long as it is done in a tactful way. Also, I really enjoy reading what other people have to say about various topics. I think educational blogs are a great way to get ideas from people who are actual teachers and using the lesson plans in the classroom. I hope when I am a teacher that I will be able to keep up with a blog to inspire and help other teachers. I would use blogging in the classroom as a way to hear students' opinions on a given topic. I would write a post and ask them to visit my post and leave a comment on their thoughts. I think it is important to understand the thinking of your students in order to better reach them with your lessons. Not all students learn in the same way, so blogging would be a good way to figure out how students prefer to learn material. I think blogging best illustrates the pillar of critical thinking. In blogs, students are not necessarily given open-ended questions, but they are asked to think for themselves and put their thoughts into words. Students are not able to look for a literal right answer, but they have to look within themselves to express their feelings. I would improve the assignment by giving us blogs that you have created. I would change the assignment by giving us certain blogs you find useful. I would eliminate the blog having to be about our Unit Plan. I would expand on the use of blogs for students and the classroom.