Conclusion

What specific plans do you have for implementing technology in an educational setting as a result of what you have learned in 5720?

One technology that I learned how to use during this class is blogging for educational purposes. I already had a personal blog, and had created a blog for another class project. Through 5720 I learned how to use blogs to engage students in learning. I co-teach a book club for the Magic Tree House series for 3^rd grade boys. With each book we read together, the boys complete projects at home and we do fun activities related to the content of the book together at our meetings. I added a blogging component to our book club, and the boys love it! I post a question about the book they are reading, and they are able to respond to my question as well as comment on other students' replies. This is one more way to engage a group of boys who might otherwise avoid reading in discussing literature together. I know they have bought into it because the website was down for about two weeks, and every day someone would come ask me if the blog was working yet or not. It feels good to be missed!

I will continue using blogs for book clubs as I begin an American Girl book club for 3^rd grade girls in the spring. I am also exploring ways to make blogging part of students' homework or completing research projects in curricular areas outside of reading. Getting students interested in reading or research can be a challenge, but I believe that implementing technology can be a positive way to engage all students in learning.