Blogging-Is it really THAT useful?

Reviewing my own blog, and reading the content of one of my fellow classmates, I can confidently say that blogging is overall very beneficial to students, teachers, parents, and any other learner. Blogging is a way of sharing ideas and information all over the world to other students, a way for teachers to communicate with parents about their child's curriculum and school events, and also a tool for teacher-teacher relationships linked all over the world through sharing teaching strategies, helpful educational websites, and a way to learn more about another teacher's culture or environment for better understanding of certain topics that may be addressed in the classroom.

As I read through Jonas Cockson's blog, I noticed that we had similar ideas on many assignments. I also found several points in his blog that I didn't think about when completing the assignment. For example, one thing that Jonas found very important involving the videos "The Edible Schoolyard" and "A Night in the Global Village" was how much activities such as these can improve the student-teacher relationship. He mentioned that it slowly becomes more of a mentor relationship. This made me realize one important fact. The more comfortable and confident a student is with the teacher, the more likely they are to ask questions and be engaged in what is being taught. I can certainly remember teachers growing up that kept themselves at a certain impersonal distance from their students at all times. This causes a certain type of insecurity and fear with that teacher and therefore results in a intimidated, disinterested child. I am very glad that I found this point on Jonas's blog and was able to personally expound on his idea. This is the essence of social networking and blogging in education!

One negative aspect of blogging is that just because a particular teacher posted certain information on a blog, does not mean that it is correct or the best way to teach. There is a certain amount of sifting one must do to find the most useful information, resources, and ideas. Another downside of blogging is that there should be a certain amount of supervision present when students are surfing blogs. There are all kinds of inappropriate blogs and blog topics out there that we my not want our children to be exposed to.

In all, blogging is a wonderful tool for all aspects of education and the people involved within its process (parents, teachers, and students.) Blogging will absolutely be a resource tool for me throughout college and my teaching career. Blogging and other social networking sites are very important and all teachers need realize its power and take the time to use it properly. Share what you learn so that others can benefit from it! Learn from others so that YOU and your students can benefit from it! These actions are our duty and obligation as teachers.