Blogs & Google Docs

1.       There are many ways I could incorporate blogs into my classroom. At the day care I work at we just studied the migration pattern of the Whooping Crane, and everyday we would go online to track their progress. This could have easily been turned into a blogging activity. I could have had the kids reflect on how far the birds traveled within a specific day and they could have even talked about there responses to some of the questions I asked in class.
         Another way I could use blogs in the classroom could be for language arts and reading. I could instruct the kids to make up a story (with certain requirements) and then have them type their story onto their blog. I would then give them the opportunity to read their blog to the class. Each day I could have the students make up mini stories that would require them to use their imagination and to be creative.

Advantages of using technology in the classroom

• Gets students involved
• Makes learning fun
• More students are growing up with technology, so it would be weird for them not to use it in the classroom
• More ways to teach lessons

Disadvantages

• Can get easily sidetracked
• Not enough teachers use it
• Technology can break/ not work

 

2. Google Docs is a very helpful tool, especially when it comes to working on group projects. From the reading I learned the Google Docs is accessed from your browser, so you can use it with any operating system. There is also no need to install upgrades, because it is accessed online there is no need to do this. So therefore, because everyone is using the same version there won't be any difficulties with saving and opening docs then having to convert the file.

Advantages of using Google Docs over traditional Word

• Sharing the document, then having other people edit it on their own time
• Being able to open it anywhere
• Creating slideshows and spreadsheets
• Just like Microsoft Word, a lot of the same options
• Can  get instant feedback from other group members
• Don't have to meet with groups to create a power point
• Don't have to save to USB.. can just save right on Google Docs and open it anywhere

Disadvantages

• If someone else edits the doc and erases your work, it's gone...right?
• Not everyone is familiar with it.. or even knows about it