Catching Up

It's good to get back to posting on this weblog. Over the past few weeks we have been working on the biz pal project but General Mills has decided to stick with the email program instead of trying out blogs. I am disappointed but understand that they do not have enough computers in one place to set it up in the way that would be needed for this type of project. We're learning about the problems that can occur when businesses have complete access to the internet when it is really not needed for the job at hand. Maybe down the road it will be a possibility. Too bad!

So, back to the drawing board for other projects. Today Hillary created her first blog and she named it EduBlog Quest. I like it! She is just jumping in and learning by doing! She is using Manila so she can learn more of the ins and outs of weblogs. I like TypePad for the school projects and Hillary will be learning how to manage those but she needs to just have one all her own to really learn.

We're going to start a student group soon, then add some teachers to the mix.

The focus for the writing on the weblogs will be to encourage writing as a meaning-making process and  a tool for learning. Possibilities for writing/blogging include:

what they are learning in their classrooms

getting more involved in what they are studying so they can make real learning connections

extend their knowledge on subjects of interest by using the internet

ask and research questions they have plus pose questions for their audience

make predictions about what they are learning

have fun with language as they write about class activities

review and reflect on books or texts read

write about knowledge and facts learned in different ways

 

use Bloom's Taxonomy key words to help students expand their thinking and learning

The other important piece is to get the students to reflect on what they are doing and evaluate it. This will help them integrate and internalize the curriculum they are learning. It could help us as teachers know what is getting through and what isn’t.

The goal is to get students to connect what they are studying with the rest of their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Learn how to write to learn! Then use the web to extend their learning.

Another goal is to use the comments feature by the students. They need training and guidance to do this in a worthwhile manner. We need to go beyond general statements and help the students learn how to make interesting and helpful feedback.

I can't wait to get started!