So far I have enjoyed using the blogs. I can see that they are an easy to use, low cost mechanism for getting to know students. By posting their thoughts and experiences, faculty can follow and monitor the progress of individual students. In a face to face classroom environment, even though the students are in the same room as the teacher, s/he may not ever stand out or make any comments. I have a number of classes that are predominantly lecture format, with 40 to 60 students in them (on a good day). When I ask for comments, questions, etc. it’s always the same 4 or 5 students who have any. Many students are able to “hide” in a face to face environment.
By requiring students to post their thoughts in a blog, as we are doing now, it is possible to get input and feedback from all. That’s a revelation for me.
Hoop in LA
Hoop - you hear from a whole different group - or rather from just about everybody - when you go online. Whereas in the classroom, you get the usual 4-5 who always want to talk. And the "quiet ones" have a lot to say.
ReplyDeleteFran @ CT
Testing, testing...
ReplyDeleteHi Hoop,
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in your comments about the quiet students, too. Online classes and tools will bring them out. Also that leads me to think about the learning disabled, dyslexic, or other ways handicapped. Online communication could have a really positive effect on them and others.
Great start and my intro to Blogspot!
Gwen in NC