I looked at Eric Langhorst's 8th grade American History blog, who is currently Missouri's teacher of the year. Each blog he had posted was educational and about his content area - history. The audience for this blog could be parents, students and also future teachers. He posted lessons and ways to teach history for future educators to learn from and get material from. He also posted pictures and videos of places he had been for students to view, such as Ellis Island. The purpose of this blog I believe is to help teachers or future teachers get ideas and information from his experiences in the classroom. Also, to provide resources and information for his students. The last post on this blog was 10/30/08 so he is definitely still using it and posting. I really enjoyed looking over this blog because it had so many ideas for teaching certain topics, videos demonstrating the lessons, great videos of historical places and his explanation of it all. I believe the blog has potential in the classroom when used correctly and appropriately. Even out of the classroom blogging serves a great purpose by distributing information. It can function in any way you want it to really, it just depends on the purpose you want it to serve.
The second blog I looked at was Mrs. Huff's English Classes. Each blog is a reflection and description of activities done that day. It is for Mrs. Huff herself, other educators, her students, and parents. This blog has many purposes. It is a reflection space for Mrs. Huff, a catch-up tool for students that miss class, and it is a touchstone for the class because it provides information about their subjects and assignments. It also provides information for other educators and great lesson ideas. In a sense, it keeps the door of the classroom open to parents by allowing them to see what their students are doing. The blog is used most every day and is still being used. I think this blog is great because it keeps everyone in her classes on the same page and she provides information in writing that is accessible anywhere. Also, as an educator it is important to reflect on past lessons and this allows Mrs. Huff to do that. It keeps her lessons available to her and makes planning each year easier I am sure. This blog could work outside the classroom for Mrs. Huff's personal reflection as well.
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5 comments:
Sam, Eric Langhorst's 8th grade American History blog sounds resourceful. The fact that he has posted lessons and teaching strategies for future history teachers is refreshing. I also like the fact that Mr. Langhorst has provided pictures and videos to enhance his classroom presentations, as well as to spark interest within his students. It is amazing to me how some teachers go above and beyond to bring their students a first class experience.
I also read the 8th grade history blog and loved it! I am going to teach history and found it to be very useful. The best part is he posted lessons and ideas for future teachers. I think his students enjoy his class.
Haha!! How did we pick the same ones?!?! I must agree that the history blog was may favorite although my area of expertise centers around ancient history, but it was still good
Sam, I liked your evaluation of Eric Langhorst's blog. I think that being creative and exploring different ways of creating a blog is very innovative. I know that his students must love looking at all of the pictures that he posts, and be truly excited to partake in discussion and giving him their feedback. Like you said, I think his blog can be a great tool for almost anything that one needs it to be for.
I picked both of these and pretty much agree with you asessment of both of them. I hope that some day i can incoporate blogging the way that Mr. Langhorst does into his classroom. I think with my novice skills at this point I may be doing Ms. Huffs kind of integration but at least it is a start.
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