One of the most important skills I acquired from this course wasn’t really apparent to me when we began. The technical aspects of developing a blog and gathering the resources were two factors that I hadn’t considered when I started the course. I feel that this experience will benefit me as an educator in trying to “keep up” with my students’ tech skills.
The resources I discovered during our work will be very helpful in the future. I limited my searches to a segment of grade eight Social Studies, and I feel a lot more prepared to “jump into” that world when/if the time arises. The Learn NC site, the NC DPL site, and the North Carolina Museum of History site, are three that I will utilize regularly. I think that finding and using creative lesson plans will make for a better experience for my students, and will aid me in becoming a better teacher. I will definitely continue searching for resources that I can use in my classes.
As for keeping up the blog, I guess only time will tell. I enjoy writing (as is evident by some of my long, boring posts) and I can see how blogging is a great outlet for both teachers and students to sharpen their skills and share information. All of the technical “bells and whistles” we’ve discovered during this class will be welcome additions to standard curricular studies. I can imagine a Language Arts class blog where students write and submit for publication works on different subjects. The pride they will feel knowing their works are out there “on the web” will hopefully inspire them to continue their learning.
All in all, I give this course **** four stars, for technical learning, good philosophy on reading instruction, and a nearly unlimited number of resources that all teachers can use. Thanks Dr. Trathen. J
I really got a lot out of this course too. It’s amazing what a couple of dinosaurs are capable of learning. Have a great summer.
David Sigmon
David…I feel like a dinosaur.
..Chris.
Chris,
I do hope you keep the blog going. It does not have to be a daily thing, but perhaps weekly. If you are willing, I would like to list your blog with teachers’ blogs. However, there can be no BYU crap on it…just kidding. Let me know what you think.
Woody Trathen
Thanks for sharing these additional websites with us. I hope to have my students up and running with their own blogs by this time next year. Everyone loves to see their writing published, especially online. Roberta Wilson
Smithey,
Blah, blah, blah!! Just kidding! I too feel that I am more prepared to effectively teach my students because of things learn/found in this class. I hope that all of us keep up with our blogs!! It’s a great way for us to share new and exciting info and ideas!! I would say have a great summer and all but we’ve still got a few more weeks of History class. Thanks for all the great info on your blog!!
P.S.
Weren’t you born before dinosaurs?? Ha Ha! Again just kidding. I knew you could handle it!!! See ya!
Heather Connolly
We gotta be “techie” don’t we? Seems odd these days to not want to be knowledgeable about computers and technology in general, you know! Keeping up with our students is going to be the hard part.