Sunday, February 23, 2014

Thing 3: Using a Blog in a Future Classroom

When it comes to using a blog in my future classroom, I believe the benefits are numerous. 

The Major Benefits

1.  Make Announcements

One benefit of using a blog would be to have students subscribe to my blog via an RSS feed, who could then receive updates or announcements via the blog.  Students would be able to communicate on the blog, as well. 

2.  Review Lessons

Another benefit would be to post lesson reviews for students to use, which would help those who may have been absent to make up their work, and those who may have fallen behind in their work.  Lesson reviews would provide a nice summary for students.

3.  Link Interesting Material

I could post links to essays, articles, videos, etc. on the blog, making it available at all times to my students.

4.  Teaches Technology Use

Using a blog for a class also helps teach students how to better use technology in finding information which shall further their education, broaden their knowledge, and sharpen their skills. 

A blog makes class material more accessible at all times for my students.  It allows them to interact and engage with material through comments and questions on the material presented.

Thing 2: Blogs & Avatars

In Thing 2, we shall discuss my previous experiences with blogs, and my thoughts on creating this one.  We shall maintain an interview format, which I think helps with creating a more conversational dialogue.

"What previous experiences do you have with blogs, reading or writing?"

 I am an ardent reader of blogs---particularly political, philosophical, theological, and science blogs.  I don't really follow any particular blog or blogger, but rather follow certain topics and aspects of those topics. 

I had tried a few times to start a blog and consistently post on it, but I would always begin to neglect it after a few posts with little interest.

"How did you decide on your posting name and the name of your blog?"

I decided on my posting name because it is a "sophisticated" version of my name including my first initial, since I go by my middle name.  Joseph Roberts sounds more sophisticated than Kyle Roberts, but I prefer my middle name due to it being (slightly) more unique than my first.  Thus, I use J. Kyle Roberts, and did so for this blog.

"What was your experience in creating the blog? Was it hard for you or easy? Why?"

My experience in creating the blog was not very notable.  Since I had made a few (now defunct) blogs before, my experience in making this blog was rather quick, easy, and without anything worth mentioning.

" How does your avatar reflect your personality? Did you create an avatar that looks like your real self or someone totally different? Why?"

My avatar reflects my personality in his dress and appearance.  My avatar wears a nice shirt, tie, sport coat, and khakis, which are pretty much what I wear to work and school.  I like to present myself as clean-cut, sophisticated, and well-dressed.   I created my avatar to look like myself, because I want to present what I write in this blog as representative of myself. 

In conclusion, my experience with blogs is moreso on the side of reading blogs, and not so much with writing them.

Thing 1: The 7 & 1/2 Habits of A Lifelong Learner

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the brief tutorial of the 7 & 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners, and feel that I am more self-aware concerning my own education at school and self-education throughout the rest of my life.

The hardest habit of a lifelong learner for me is: "View problems as challenges."  I would say that I am strong in every habit included in the tutorial; but, if I had to go with a weakness, it would be that one.  I would say that, at times, I view problems more as nuisances and things which keep me from delving headlong into the things I truly wish to devote my time and energy to, rather than as opportunities to sharpen my skills and broaden my knowledge.  Viewing problems as challenges would be more beneficial for me in my motivation to complete tasks.

The easiest habit of a lifelong learner for me is: "Use technology to your advantage."  I use all sorts of technology to assist in my education.  I have been teaching myself French, and used apps available on my iPhone and music to help me with that endeavor.  I watch all sorts of documentaries on Netflix concerning a myriad of topics.  I read books on my Kindle.  I find new books on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  I use the internet on my laptop and iPhone to research and find all manners of information.

As a person who is continually educating myself with books, essays, articles, documentaries, etc., I enjoyed the 7 & 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners tutorial, which gave me a better self-awareness of those habits which I have done subconsciously.