How Blogs Are Being Used in International Classrooms

In classrooms across the globe, teachers and students are using Internet blogging to communicate and share information internationally. According to the Moturoa Classroom site http://moturoa.blogspot.com/, "We are a class of Four and Five (grades) children from Nelson, the top half of the South Island of New Zealand. We are learning to communicate with other people around the world and love to get comments from all over the place". The blogs are based on the traveling experiences of teacher Allanah K and friends (to include a red and white baby hippo-like creature named Mini-Dylan). The posts contain much information about historical sites - especially in such places as Ireland, England, and Thailand. The site also contains a podcast, math game links, and links to reading activities - as well as links to other web logs and podcasts.

According to the 5Nt.Ca site http://grade5nt.edublogs.org/, "Our blog is a journal of what's going on in our classroom. It's also a place for students to individually express themselves. We'll also use it to share what we have created (i.e. writing, art, science experiments, etc.)". The blog site features comments and information about the happenings within Mr. Toft's 5/6NT class (a total of 31 students), as well as a calendar of events and various other sections (such as "Book Recommendations", "Subject Links", and "Translate Our Blog"). The site also features an "Agenda" section (to help remind students and parents of homework, projects, etc.). Mr. Toft and his students are from A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School. The school is located in Stittsville, Ontario, Canada.

How Blogs Are Being Used in U.S. Classrooms

In classrooms across the United States, teachers and students are using Internet blogging to communicate and share information with the world.

According to the site Mr. Langhorst's Web Classroom http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst/blog, "A blog is a web journal. Mr. Langhorst's blog contains ideas, pictures, news items, and general thoughts about using technology in the junior high classroom". Mr. Langhorst's Web Classroom also utilizes podcast and "studycast" - which is used to help students review for tests. Mr. Langhorst is a 8th grade American History teacher at South Valley Junior High School. The high school is located in Liberty, Missouri.

According to Jay Monson, teacher and creator of Write On! Mr. Monson's Grade 5 Classroom Blog http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=59644, "I fell in love with blogging and the opportunities it offers to kids. I enjoy using technology to write, share, and communicate. I currently hang out with creative fifth grade kids as we learn to become peaceful, productive citizens of our world community". Mr. Monson's blog not only contains a student entries section, it also contains a teacher assignments and entries section - as well as links to other classroom blogs. Mr. Monson is a 5th grade teacher at Nettleton Science, Technology, and Reading Magnet School. The school is located in Duluth, Minnesota.

Knowing Is Half the Battle...

Good evening readers! After viewing the video Did You Know/Shift Happens, I felt somewhat motivated to write a post that would summarize my thoughts and feelings on the subject of online education. Quite simply (and to the point), I feel that using online education to facilitate better learning and research is only half the battle (in terms of bringing our students up to par with students in countries such as India and China). Not only does the U.S. need to greatly improve it's implementation and utilization of online education within all schools, it also needs to take the role of education (in terms of maintaining competitiveness with strong economic nations) more seriously.

In China and Japan, students attend classes almost year round (without seasonal and holiday breaks). In Germany, students must be proficient in another language. These are just a few examples of how countries are using education to secure their future - as paragons of a strong, highly competitive global market. By adding similar regulations and standards - as well as continuing to support and provide the tools and training needed for students to achieve success in today's technological society, perhaps our country (U.S.) can ensure that future generations of Americans will be leaders in a global market - as well as the educational example by which all other nations are judged.

ACCESS - ability!

Good evening readers! Tonight, I am writing about the ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classroom, Educators and Students Statewide) program. In this blog post, I am going to discuss what ACCESS is, and why it is beneficial to Alabama's high school students.

According to the official ACCESS website (which can be viewed at http://accessdl.state.al.us/), "ACCESS Distance Learning is an education initiative of the Alabama Department of Education". The ACCESS website goes on to say, "It provides opportunities and options for Alabama public high school students to engage in Advanced Placement (AP), elective, and other courses to which they may not otherwise have access". Essentially, the program offers state approved Internet-based instruction and coursework - as well as gives Alabama high school students another option ( especially in situations where the school doesn't offer the course as a part of it's curriculum or cannot find a qualified educator to teach the course - from a physical standpoint).

Overall, I feel that the ACCESS program is a great benefit for both Alabama high school teachers and students. For teachers, the program provides a new way to incorporate technological advancements into an educational setting. For students, the program not only provides educational quality and accessibility - it gives them the chance to experience online learning.

As a teacher, I would not only use the ACCESS program as a tool to better educate students regionally - I would use it to help give other students, living within the state, the chance to receive a quality education.

A FEW FACTS AND OPINIONS ABOUT ALEX

Hello again fellow readers.

Today, I will be writing about ALEX (Alabama Learning Exchange). In this blog, I will share with readers a few facts that I have learned about the purpose of ALEX - as well as some of my opinions on the project a a whole.

According to the ALEX website (http://alex.state.al.us), ALEX is "a project by the Alabama Department of Education designed to index and share many types of educational materials and information through a time-saving, one-stop resource for educators, parents, and students". The ALEX project offers users detailed information on such areas as Courses of Study (specific information on teaching requirements, depending on course and grade), Lesson Plans (samples created by state certified teachers and instructors), Personal Workspace (allows user to store and submit lesson plans, teacher web pages, etc.), and Professional and Distance Learning. The website also contains a "Search" page, as well as a "Help" page - both of which can be utilized by users to navigate around the site with ease.

After careful research of the ALEX site, I feel that ALEX is not only a great smorgasbord of tools and resources for teachers and instructors - it could also help bridge the gap between parents and teachers, in terms of relations. Often times, parents question the quality of their child's education. By using the resources provided by the ALEX project, perhaps teachers and parents can work as a team - ensuring not only a strong confidence in the educational system from a parental standpoint, but from the student as well.

Once I become a teacher, I will make use of the ALEX project not only for my sole benefit - but for the benefit of my students and their parents.

ABOUT ME...

Hello fellow class members. My name is Jonas Cockson. I am a thirty-two year old male from Foley, Alabama. Throughout my existence, I have lived in many different states within the U.S. (Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, California, Hawaii and Washington D.C.). I have also lived in/or visited many countries outside of the U.S. (Japan, Korea, Australia, Tinian, Saipan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany and Mexico), primarily during my tenure with the United States Marine Corps.

After serving four years as a cook in the Marine Corps, I decided to go to college to become a teacher. I have just recently finished two years of college at Faulkner State Junior College. I chose to become a teacher because - throughout my life - I have felt that I have possessed several gifts - gifts that could be used to an even greater effect, by helping to educate others. These gifts include, but are not limited too, encouragement (helping people to realize their potential), patience, understanding, and the ability to convey (as well as inspire). When it is all said and done, I will have completed my degree (Secondary English Education) at the University of South Alabama. Hopefully (fingers crossed), I will have secured a teaching position in the Mobile/Baldwin County area.

My interests include the following:
1.) reading
2.) writing
3.) playing bass guitar
4.) composing songs
5.) watching movies
6.) traveling
7.) eating (tacos/pizza/Chinese)
8.) camping
9.) the history of the Wild West
10.) poetry

GREETINGS, FELLOW CIZITENS!

Hello.

I would like to welcome all readers to my personal blog.