The Blogging Experience

December 9, 2004
Although it is sad to say, this is the last entry I will ever write in my blog. In closing this chapter of my life, I would like to say this has been a really positive experience for me. Writing about my thoughts has definitely allowed me to grasp a deeper understanding of the material in this course, and forced me to figure out where I stood on many controversial issues. Once you figure out your standpoint on many social issues as a teacher, it is easier to prevent your biases from sneaking into the classroom. This is something many teachers struggle with, but from where I stand, being aware of my weaknesses is the first step to overcoming them right?
The only downside to this assessment method is the reliance on technology. There were many times I tried to publish a blog, and it just disappeared. Luckily, I had these entries saved in Microsoft Word! However, I think I spent more time trying to publish my work on the net than actually writing it.
All glitches aside, being forced to work with computers did wonders for overcoming my fear of technology though. I now see the important role that technology can play in the classroom, and will make more of an effort to foster this frame of mind in my students. For example, if I decide to implement a reflective journal component in my evaluation of student learning, I will be more inclined to use the World Wide Web as my facilitating medium instead of the old-fashioned pen and paper. Chances are, the World Wide Web will facilitate more discussion, and produce greater feedback because one’s audience is dramatically increased.
I think this is a great assessment option that should continue to be used in the Society and Education class. It gives students a certain degree of freedom since you can make contributions to the blog at whatever time of day is convenient for you. As well, it definitely increases communication in the classroom setting, which helps foster the development of a sense of community. This sense of community is something I’ve come to cherish, as I get higher up in your years of study, and school takes up so much time.
In the future though, it might be worthwhile to consider decreasing the amount of entries students have to do to ensure that people actually make comments. I will admit that as the semester wore on, it was difficult to find the time to read what everyone else was writing; let alone comment on what was being said. Although I do not take personal offense, it is impossible to deny that the readership of my blog dramatically declined. Being forced to write three entries a week can also have a major impact on the quality of entries produced by some people. I will admit I found this assignment to be quite time consuming. However, because I considered the exercise worthwhile, I didn’t seem to mind the intense amount of work.