So many ways to use technology!

As I looked through some blogs this past week, it really hit me as to how many blogs exist. Tons of people blog about almost any topic imaginable! I really think that blogging can be incorporated into a classroom in many ways. First of all, the class could create blog and update it regularly. I think that would be a great way for the student's to have to communicate what they have learned so that they can share it with other people. Through blogging, students learn to use technology, write, and recall information.
I also think students can look at other people's blogs to learn new information and to build on the things they have learned. I found blogs where people followed the life cycle of a certain insect. They recorded every detail and took pictures at each stage. Having students follow a blog like that during a science unit would be very interesting. Really, any topic that we study in class could be found on a blog. I think it is important to use technology in this way. The students will get to enhance their technology skills but also further their learning on a topic. While I think blogs are a great way to extend the learning process, I think students should be carefully monitored and blogs should not be overused.

Blogs also present a great opportunity for ESL students. People blog from all over the world. Some blogs incorporate two languages. I think ESL students should be able to follow blogs in their native language and then also try to follow some of the bilingual blogs. Not only could blogging help their English and reading comprehension, but it could also be used for emotional reasons. I imagine it is often very frustrating to be in a new place learning a new language. ESL students could read blogs from people in similar situations. Knowing that other people are going through the same things, might be helpful.

Most recently in class, we have been working with databases and spreadsheets. I had some experience with spreadsheets but I am by no means an expert. Although I knew how to do most of the things included in the assignment, it was good practice. I had to re-teach myself how to do some of the functions used in my grade book. I thought it was a good assignment because I know that I will be using spreadsheets in the near future! I had not thought about using Excel with my students before this assignment. In my lesson, I had my students recorded information and then create a chart. I think I would use Excel often in my class so that students can record different types of information.
The database assignment was completely new to me. I have heard of databases but I had no idea that I could make my own and what they could be used for. I had a little trouble with mail merge when I tried to do my labels, but I eventually figured it out. I am glad that I learned about this technology because it will make my life a lot easier when I start teaching. I love that I am able to personalize letters without having to do each one individually. I will definitely use a database for my future classes. I am not sure how I would use databases for teaching but I will use it for communicating and organizing myself.