Blogging in the Classroom

Blogging is about writing and reading, not the technology platform. This infographic identifies 4 steps for getting started blogging in the classroom.

Click to enlarge

Source: Langwitches

The Importance of Teacher Bloggers

Why should you continue to blog as an educator? Check out this article discussing the importance of teacher bloggers and offering blogging suggestions for teachers.

http://www.teachhub.com/importance-teacher-bloggers

More Students Embrace Online Learning

By Diette Courrégé, Post and Courier

Debra Sewell sat alongside her 6-year-old son in his classroom, a bedroom of their North Charleston home. It’s home schooling with a twist — Malachi is enrolled in a public online school. The first-grader connects to his lessons, classmates and teacher through his computer, receiving a public education minus the traditional brick-and-mortar school. Sewell said her son’s enrollment in an online charter school allows him to work at his own pace and addresses concerns about his severe food allergies. Virtual learning is a relatively new concept to the Palmetto State, but interest in it is intense. Online charter schools launched in South Carolina last year, and enrollment grew 40 percent to 7,492 students this year.

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Digital Nation: Distracted by Everything

A while back PBS aired a Frontline episode called "Digital Nation," about how technology is transforming our country and our global culture.... and completely distracting us. The fourth section is particularly interesting for schoolteachers.

Click here to view the show online.

Have you personally found that as your use of technology has increased, you are more easily distracted? These are certainly timely issues to consider, especially as technology isn't going away.

Preparing Students for Commenting with Wall Blogging

For those considering having your students blog, here are some great suggestions for teaching students how to post appropriate comments:

http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/11/26/preparing-students-for-commenting-with-wall-blogging/

Top 100 Technology Blogs for Teachers

As you continue to look to build your own personal learning network, here's a great collection of technology blogs specifically geared toward education that you might find of interest:

http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-100-technology-blogs-for-teachers

~ Dr. J

Online communities are transforming professional development for teachers

From blogging and Twitter to online networks, Fearghal Kelly charts the evolution of professional development and interactions for teachers in the social media age.

Read the article here