Blogging About the Blog (part 3)
So much has happened since I last wrote about my adventures in Blogland.
In the SAS chat, the scrolling and flaming have gotten better. But, we had a case of someone pretending to be other students. I was able to figure out who fairly easily (I’m not going to reveal all my secrets, but I’ll say it had something to do with IP addresses. My big fear was that a stranger was trying to enter the conversation, which wasn’t the case, but easily could have been. Another indiction that we all need to educate ourselves about safety online.
The blog has turned me into a 24/7 teacher, if I choose. I can almost always find a student online. I get asked questions about what books to bring, what the schedule will be, etc. I get to hear instant reviews of my lessons; “props” for the Silk Road activity, apparently.
I went to a training on Thursday, and was pleased to get an update about the day from my students. I’m always concerned about how things go when I’m gone; it was great to know they went well.
I’ve started posted assignments on the blog rather than xeroxing them or writing things on the board. In this sense we are becoming more “paperless”. Still though, I’ve been collecting most written assignments, though I suppose many could be emailed to me if I didn’t want the kids to share answers.
In general, what’s been happening has been turning traditional teaching around. Everyone has as much of a voice as they want. Class time can be anytime. Writing is always for a purpose, since you always have an audience.
I post something that no one’s interested in, and no one replies. It’s of interesnt… I get a lot of comments. Democracy in action, or mob rule?
My period 3 posted poems, and 4 other kids not in the class added their poems, just because they wanted to express themselves. And each one gave a little picture of their soul.
I feel like my relationship with the students who post a lot is evolving. We have our blog world and our face to face world. And sometimes the interactions aren’t the same.
Another question: are some of us (me, them) spending too much time on this? Is there such a thing as too much communicating?
March 27th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
mrs. zana i do not think we spend to much time on this (me) because when i’m at home i’m so bored that is why i acctually like school. plus my friends are here. people that don’t like school i think are wierd. you actually have something to do but the people that have cable and all those stuff might watch tv a lot for no apperent reason i don’t have anything just tv why would u want all the extras and pay MORE! just keep the extra money for things you actually need or want. okay me the person who loves green day doesn’t have to watch them every day. Gosh maby just one time every 2 months because then i will get tired of them. hey i no you people can sleep instead of watching tv so that you can be rested and think straight.
March 28th, 2006 at 10:11 am
I like rainy days but not when i have to walk in them. It also is sooooo cold .Plus sometimes im not even prepared as much .But also we probably will not even do P.E.We will wath a movie or if we do P.E we will do it in the gym.
March 29th, 2006 at 5:29 pm
Hi Mrs. Zana,
You introduced me to your blog a few weeks ago when you were working with Mr. Bernstein’s class on the poetry/photo project in PowerPoint. I just wanted to let you know that I’m checking in here and there. Your observations about the 24/7 nature of your identity as a teacher are very interesting, and I’m excited to see how you expand your use of social software in the classroom in the future.
Take Care,
Becky
March 30th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Howdy noticed a spelling mistake with attitude on your California Standard Test Vocabulary page.
I will come back and read some more after I do my own prep for classes.
cheers from Australia (though I was in LA last week.