Instructional Strategies with using Blogs

Instructional Strategies with using Blogs:

I believe that cooperative learning, setting clear objectives, providing feedback and scaffolding are all good teaching strategies that could work well with using blogs. Allowing students to work cooperatively as they read and comment on other classmates’ posts can really benefit student learning. By setting clear objectives and providing feedback students can adjust and self-correct for enhanced learning. Blogs provide an opportunity to scaffold additional ideas and allow students to express their thoughts for self-reflection.

On the other hand, I don’t think that the didactic or traditional methods of teaching would work as well with blogs. With the didactic/traditional method of teaching the teacher is definitely the “Sage-on-the-Stage” and for blogs I think the student needs to be given some level of flexibility. Students need the flexibility to express themselves and feel comfortable commenting on other classmates’ postings.

I don’t work in a classroom setting but I could see using blogs in my line of work as a means to coordinate with peers in other State offices to further open the lines of communication. It could provide a means for sharing and expressing ideas in the “blogosphere”—a term first coined by William Trammell. I see it as an opportunity to get diverse perspectives from people across the country. What an awesome concept!

Wikis

So let me first start off by saying that makng changes to wikipedia was very easy—too easy. In fact, I found it quite frightening how easy it is to make edits. This is definitely a reflection of who I am—not a “digital native” but a “digital immigrant”. I didn’t even realize that anyone could make changes to wikipedia. I’ve never truly undersood how a wiki works. So I really appreciated the video “Wikis in Plain English”.

I located the Michigan Department of Education on wikipedia. I made a very minor edit as shown in the screen shot below. I simply added “of Public Instruction” after Superintendent. Just another example of my “digital immigrant” status that makes me want to play it safe.

It was also very easy to create my own wiki using wikispaces.com. Here is the link if you want to check out my newly created wiki: http://trevino3.wikispaces.com/ . I played with the widget options and added a google map and a calendar. I also created a specific page for the O.A.K. group.

As you know by now. I am new to wikis and so my comfort level isn’t quite where it needs to be. It will take some time and practical use for me to become more familiar with this type of communication.

Integrating Computer-Based Instructional Objects

Personally, I am a hands-on learner. If I read it or just receive it in lecture form, I tend to forget it. However, when I have an opportunity to do it first hand, I am more likely to retain the information and actually learn it. I know I am not unique in that many people also learn this way. The beauty of using StAIR projects or WebQuests is that it gets the learner that hands-on opportunity and it encourages higher-level thinking. If well constructed, these computer-based instructional objects can serve as a great resource for teaching and learning. However, in order to construct one of these learning objects well, a lot of thought needs to go into planning. In fact, thoughtful consideration needs to be given to addressing the purpose, audience and resources. What is the purpose? It isn’t enough to just create it—it has to serve a purpose. In addition, you need to know your audience because these tools won’t work in every situation for every learner. Resources need to be selected carefully or the teacher could lead the learner astray. In fact, a good WebQuest should make good use of the web not just provide a lot of disconnected information.
In search of an exemplary WebQuest, I discovered many ranging in various topics. However, there weren’t as many in the area of special education. I did find one that outlines the process of identification for classroom teachers: The Special Education Identification Process--A WebQuest for Classroom Teachers. It is a good WebQuest, although, it is a little dated (Fall 2002) and some of the links are broken. Nevertheless, I found the information useful and it met the objective to provide information to classroom teachers regarding special education law, the identification process, and the policies and procedures of the school district. It was designed well with the basic components and embedded teaching strategies throughout such as scaffolding. I liked that this WebQuest also includes an end of lesson quiz and provides immediate feedback to the learner.
I am new to WebQuests but find that these can be a great time saver for the learner and an effective instructional tool for teachers if done correctly.

Blogs vs. traditional web pages

I can’t pretend to be an expert at blogging but I have quickly learned its potential to be a great communicating tool. Where the traditional web page is generally just communicating one way, a blog opens the lines of communication both ways in an informal format. It is a way to both invite and display feedback from the readers easily through the comments feature. Furthermore, with the ease and increased use of blogs, this technology tool is here to stay.