thoughts on weblogs (ch. 2 and 3)
June 10, 2009
Will Richardson’s book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for the Classroom, is so well-written. In chapters 2 and 3, he clearly and simply defines blogs, and even more, he takes the time to discuss quite a few uses for weblogs in the classroom.
I am not a blogger–not even in the Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter sense of the word. I don’t participate in any of those. This is the first blog I’ve ever had and I am up for as much help, direction, and insight as possible. For me, his giving examples and offering ideas for the uses of blogs inside the classroom is one of the most important aspects of these chapters.
I really connected with the idea of a blog as a class portal or a space for assignments, handouts, discussions, and the like. When I was in middle and high school, I didn’t like missing class. It wasn’t always because class was just so, dang awesome, but it was because I didn’t like being behind and having to play catch-up while also staying current. If we’d had weblogs in my classes, I could have had access to lessons and homework and assignments from wherever I was, and it would have enabled me to come to class prepared rather than behind.
So, all that being said, I’m definitely enjoying Richardson’s writing. It’s engaging and informative and clear–all of which are necessities for me while learning about these particular topics.
I really think that you’re going to enjoy blogging–it’s actually really freeing and fun!
I also find the examples he gives one of the most beneficial parts. I would not even have thought of half this stuff, and this isn’t my first experience looking at other people’s blogs. It’s like what he says: putting everything online adds to the bigger body of knowledge of the world. We can draw from other people’s examples to enhance our own uses of blogging and online activity in general.
Solid post. I like Richardson as well for his straightforward and positive explanations. Most teachers nowadays will have blogs, if only to serve as a virtual classroom space for posting documents, information, and so on.
dc