Chapter 3: Weblogs Getting Started

In this chapter I was excited by the possibility of using the weblogs to do the form of "stream of consciousness" we do in our Interpersonal Dynamics class. There is a website by Julia Camreron that I am going to explore. http://en.wordpress.com/tag/the-artists-way/  The writing process is important and even in a social group type class we can accommodate writing across the curriculum. I like the idea of the teacher responding in a teacher blog summing up or weaving together all the opinions shared in the writing and in the class discussions.

The concept of modeling by having a blog is critical in my opinion. In our class I write along with the students as they formulate their opinions which we later discuss. Modelings also helps the student understand that "Public writing demands discretion" says Richardson. Another really important aspect mentioned in this chapter was the importance of student blogs is getting the comments. Comments make us feel like we are being heard. They have the ability to give feedback and with the teacher modeling and monitoring appropriate feedback in blog comments in order to teach appropriate online manners. All good stuff for me to learn as I incorporate these technologies into my curriculum