Blog Reflection

As some of you know, I am not technologically savvy. I have written blogs before for another class, but I became more familiar with blogs and the benefit they have through this class. I feel a little more comfortable with technology, although I have anxiety about using Twitter. I think it is important for me, as a future teacher, to become familiar with the aspects that encompass the Technology Age, because our students live and breathe technology and I am sure the amount of technology in the future will increase and new technological inventions will be made.

Pros

Blogs are a good way for teachers to read the ideas and thoughts of individual students. In class, some students might not have the desire or opportunity to share their ideas with the entire class and blogs are a way for these students’ voices to be heard. Blogs also bring a sense of comradorey with their peers and students can comment on each other’s blogs for new ideas and showing different perspectives that the person blogging might not have considered.

Cons

I think there are some negative aspects about using blogs for a classroom though. If someone in the group consistently does not post a blog or if they do not comment on their group's posts, the blog cannot effectively work the way it should. Blogging also takes away personal connections, in my opinion. I think it is important for students to be able to talk one-on-one with an actual human being, instead of writing their responses on a computer.

Although I will not be the kind of teacher who is the first person to implement these new technological aspects into my teaching, I will eventually learn how to use them effectively with my style of teaching and with the way I teach my ELA classroom. I realize I am an "old school" person, but I will try and remain as open-minded as I can about future technological gadgets and gizmos that can improve learning in the classroom. If the students can relate to literature better by using technology, I will use it. As a teacher, I want what is best for the students and for their learning abilities. I want them to be successful people in the future, and I will do whatever it takes.