Chapter Two

Since my first blog entry, I have acquired more experience using the internet than I could ever have imagined possible.  I have successfully designed my own blog, but I don't think that I will end up continuing to post entries on it.  I don't really have the time to record my thoughts on gardening, and I'm not sure that anyone would really be interested in what I have to say.  I think that blogs can be a great source of information - a way for people to connect with other people who share similar interests, as long as they can make the time commitment.

As far as using blogs in the classroom, I'm not sure how I could use a blog in teaching math.  There is no way to write in a blog in "math language".  A student would have to record their work in word, using math symbols and superscript.  This is a very slow, tedious process, and would not appeal to too many students.

I think that probably the best use for blogs would be to follow other math teachers.  There is a site called the top 25 blogs for math in the classroom.  I think this would be a good place to begin to investigate how blogs could be useful.  The math example in this chapter involves AP calculus, a course with highly talented and motivated students.  It is possible that these students could be interested in posting blogs about calculus, but I think that the average math student would almost do anything else than blog about math.  Also, I think I object to using a blog to post notes on material that was taught in class.  I have a fear that we are creating a generation of students who have poor listening skills, because they can always catch up on the details later on line.  I would be more inclined to use a blog for notes sporadically, as opposed to using one on a regular basis.

It has been said about including technology in the classroom that, "The most common--and in fact, nearly universal--teacher-reported effect on students was an increase in motivation."

http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html


I feel that as teachers we are constantly being asked how we can motivate our students more.  So we are encouraged to utilize techniques that students will find interesting.  I am afraid that the burden of learning is being taken from the student and placed on the back of the teacher.  Why can't students be more involved,  without being entertained?  What happened to the work ethic, and being proud of one's accomplishments?  Students should be willing to learn all subjects, even those they may not like.