Summary of What I've Learned Abouth The Benefits of Blogging In Education

As others in this class have commented, I had no idea that beginning a blog was so easy.  Before I started my MAT classes at WOU, I have previously shared written information, Word documents, videos, mp.3 files and urls via email while in the private sector.  When I thought about blogs and websites, I did so as a visitor who might post a comment or a reply in someone else's blog.

My blog could list class assignments accompanied by their due dates.  Students could post by assignment to ask questions about the assignment.  My blog would list key dates in the semester: quizzes, mid-terms, finals, field trips, etc.  These assignments and key dates can help parents to keep their children on track.  A teacher's blog can be a place for students to post work for me that can include videos and urls to other sites that are immediately accessible via a click.  This reminds me of some of the capabilities of Moodle.  Hardcopy assignments don't have the same immediacy.  Students can complete assignments this way, but can also post their opinions about the value of particular assignments.  Sort of a "suggestions box."

Students can see what websites and blogs that I follow that may be helpful to them in the study of social studies or language arts.  Lastly, a successful blog in a school or school district can be a good example to other teachers about the benefits of communicating with students, parents and other teachers in this manner.  Blogs are a tool that enable more effective teaching & learning.

Freakonomics & Incenting Students To Achieve Better Grades

My family and I enjoyed a Netflix movies yesterday, "Freakonomics."  I assume many of you may have read the book,  or at least heard about it.  The film closely follows the book, but actually shows the authors describing and showing the experiments they conducted related to statistics and incentives that drive behavior.  In one segment, they work with a school in Chicago to determine if you can turn children into better students with better grades by paying them to do that and providing them with recognition in front of their peers.  The short answer is "it works with some of them and not with others."  Here is a short YouTube clip related to this segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s4qTifYWe4

I encourge you to read the book, see the documentary film, or at least check out some of the YouTube videos about Freakonomics.

Blogging Through History

Before there were computers, there were information/opinion providers with their followers providing comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NZQc_mhatA