Blogging with Students

I love having a place to write within the blog world and I enjoy reading blogs. Currently, my list of links on the left don't show how many blogs I've been reading this summer. Initially, I just wanted another place to write, collect memories and photos. Its a public collection of personal things. Now, I'm beginning to think about how its a possible place for conversation and connection even though this isn't Facebook or Twitter. 

I've sent my blog address out there to friends and its open to the public. I never mention this to the students I teach. Its only when friends comment about a post when I see them, when people comment on posts online, or when my number of profile views increase, that I remember just how public, public can be. My feelings about this range from "You read that? Oh God." to "COOL! You read that!"

I spent most of my day yesterday on Edublogs. The possible ways a teacher can use blogs in the classroom are endless. And by that, I mean ENDLESS! But I'm determined to bring it into my classroom as a worthwhile, exciting way for them to write, read, think and connect. Something more involved than texting, more demanding than video games, more than just catching up with friends on MySpace, Facebook or Twitter - blogging will be in addition to and an extension of all those things. And they'll get to practice using technology regularly and thereby enhancing their technological literacy.

I hope. Big dreams friends.

Technological words and images are having a riot in my head today.  It's wierd to wake up thinking, "How will I use survey monkey with my kids next week?"  Or, "I love that fish widget on my blog!" Or, "What kind of wordle word cloud should I make tomorrow?"

I feel like I'm evolving. Into what? I don't know! But I have to get my head out of  my blog word cloud today and plan my history unit on Rome instead. And then go get a pedicure!