Integrating Web 2.0 in the Classroom

* What instructional strategies would fit well with using blogs in the classroom? Why?

1. Blogs can work well for some types of scaffolding. For example, a Blog could read "Write a summary of last night's reading," or a scaffolded question could read "Write a summary of last night's reading. Answer these questions: What game did Joe and Tim go play? Why was Tim's mom mad at him? What did they do after they played the game? Why couldn't Alex go with them?"

2. Blogs can allow students to read and respond to the work of other students. This will give struggling or reluctant students a chance to see some examples of what is expected, and more advanced students can synthesize other students' ideas and respond to them.



* What instructional strategies would not fit well with using blogs in the classroom? Why?

1. Blogs would not work very well for introducing a new math concept. There is no way for students to have guided practice with teacher interaction while they practice the skill.

2. Blogs would not work very well for a final evaluation of a skill because students may not be working independently."



* How could you see Blogs being used in your classroom with your subject matter?

1. I can use blogs in my classroom for weekly reading response journals. For example, every Monday I can post a question such as "Why do you think the people of Shine felt 'empty' after the moths left?"

2. I can use blogs for short daily writing activities. For example, each day I can post a writing prompt such as "Tell about a time you felt successful," or "Tell about a fun time you had with a relative," or "Tell about what you do at recess."

3. I can use blogs for math review, such as "write a story problem for 14 + 27."



How could you adapt a Web 2.0 technology to support an instructional strategy that you feel it doesn't easily support?

YouTube could be used to teach strategies to learn and remember math facts. I could have students watch video postings of others showing strategies to learn math facts. I could have students create and post their own videos showing strategies to learn and remember math facts.