As a fairly confident person in technology, I find myself floundering in some areas of technology integration. BLOGGING is one of them! I am unsure of how it works, how it is viewed and overall the point in having a blog.
I also, in general, find myself hesitant when incorporating technology into my 1st Grade classroom in regards to writing. I don't feel it is a bad thing, but one I am unsure of the best approach, ease of sites, knowledge of students, etc. I think, like anything else, we need to expose our kids to these resources. Having taken courses to complete my masters, I am amazed at how many useful tools their continue to be that I had no knowledge of prior. We want to expose our kids in the same way.
Enhancements to writing courtesy of technology
1. READING
2. WRITING
3. Exposes students to more
"avenues" of writing
4. Self expression
6. Increased engagement
7. Increased Motivation
8. Meaningful
9. Higher order thinking
Incorporating writing into technology needs to be carefully and meaningful thought and planned out. By researching best practices and ways to incorporate it into our curriculum is the first step for all educators. Then it is imperative to teach students the nuts and bolts of technology. Once the groundwork is set, it is then that educators can start building writing skills through blogs, emails, etc.
As a teacher and parent, I think the hardest, and most worrisome thing about having kids publish their work or commenting on others is the respect factor. People don't realize their comments have consequences; for themselves or for the publisher. It can cause upset to the author, or it can create personal issues for the person commenting, and vice versa. Teaching children that everything that is written, is permanent. Working on having them think before they write is crucial.
Your last paragraph was really important! I agree that we need to be aware and teach our students/children that our online words are just as powerful as our words in person. Good point!
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