Week 2 Reflection

My impression of using a blog and RSS reader:

I was pleasantly surprised creating both the blog and the Google reader (RSS). Creating a blog was relatively easy. The step by step instructions found on Blogger were clear and concise. Within minutes I had my own blog page. I also enjoyed designing my page using the profile, settings and layout options. I even downloaded a picture of my very cute dogs. One disadvantage with a blog is the ability to only see one blog page at a time. Otherwise, creating a blog was a useful, educational experience that I will take into my classroom.
As for the RSS, I was surprised to learn I already had one through my Gmail account. I was able to subscribe to everyone’s blog and access everyone at once. Google reader also updates automatically so I can see if new comments have been made to my blog. In addition, the tutorials were helpful creating “my stuff” as well as all the other options. One disadvantage with Google reader is the lack of visual appeal. It does not have the luster of my blog page. Otherwise, I find myself using Google reader more often than my blog to locate website.


Which level of Dale Cone’s model does each tool (blog/RSS) lend itself to?

Growing up in the computer age I can see a blog and RSS Reader fitting into most levels of The Cone of Experience by Dale Cone. As I looked closer into the article, I decided to place both tools into a combination of the Television, Motion Picture, Recording, Radio, and Still Picture levels. RSS readers enable users to explore the real world through continuous news updates with related photographs to imprint images in the mind building a concrete association with abstract ideas. Users also have the ability to create collections of websites which offer all levels of experiences. Furthermore, a blog creates an identity for users through pictures and profiles. Visitors to a blog will build an impression based on the condensed information. In conclusion, modern day technological tools such as a blog and RSS reader enable people to experience events, past and present, first hand through visual, audio, and verbal interactions. These interactions follow Cone’s device showing the learning progression of students. With the correct knowledge, I feel teachers can use any type of technology to further the growth of students through every level of The Cone of Experience.


How I would utilize Siegel’s concept of “computer imagination”.

Throughout my years of teaching, I notice one common problem among students…turning in homework on time. There are many reasons students don’t turn in homework. In my experience, the most common reasons are: forgetting to fill in their planner, not understanding the assignment, or inability to read what they wrote in their planners. I wanted to decrease the number of missing assignments so I designed a system where students could contact each other after school hours. I called the system support teams. Support teams are small groups of students who exchange phone numbers to help find missed information on assignments after they go home for the day. In addition to academically supporting each other, teams are rewarded with extra credit points when every member turns in their assignments on time. One disadvantage of sharing phone numbers is students can only talk one-on-one. This is where a blog would be very useful in place of or in addition to phone numbers. Each student would set-up a blog page. I would designate a place for each team on the class website. Students would be able to access more than one student in their support team for help on an assignment from home. Furthermore, I can check in from home, join a discussion and assist students if needed. I believe using blogs can benefit student’s academic growth through peer interaction and constitute as an imaginative educational use according to Siegel.
Another imaginative educational use would involve the RSS reader. I would create a RSS reader to communicate with parents and students. First, I would subscribe to all my students support team blogs so everything associated to science class is in the same location. Next, I would set up important information areas such as homework updates, projects, newsletter, field trips and calendar. For example, the project area would include links to safe and educationally entertaining websites for students to visit to enhance the current science project. The field trip area would have links to Google map, videos about the event, and pictures taken during the event. Also, parents and students can click on “my stuff” for my email address, read items from the news I feel are essential to specific units, and share thoughts through my notes page. I understand a computer will never replace a face to face conversation with a parent or student. I just want to make communicating accessible to everyone no matter how busy their schedule.