Week ONE

Blog: A blend of the term web log. Being a first time "blogger" I was curious where the word blog came from. I was not surprised to see that it was two words blended together. This seems to be a popular trend nowadays - bromance, jeggings and Brangelina, just to name a few. If we are shortening words we are certainly broadening our use of technology. While I do not consider myself "tech-savvy", I did think of myself as in-tune with social networking and sharing technology. I use my smart phone for just about everything and keep up with breaking news on Facebook. That was until I discovered Twitter. You can have it ALL in one place. What is happening in US News, abroad, with your friends, on the football field and in the life of Kim Kardashian is at your finger tips on Twitter. I feel like this is just the tip of the iceberg and that connecting with and learning from people is easier than you think.

I think utilizing technology in the classroom is necessary for preparing students for the real world. In today's work environmental most communication is over email, web conferences and project blogs. I currently work as a Geologist at an Environmental Engineering firm. In order to keep project team members up to speed on project progress and changes a blog is set up. Team members can comment on questions that have been raised without having to gather into a conference room. Team members are kept up to date without having to leave their desk. Being a nationwide company we rely on web casts to bring all employees together.

One of my favorite sections from "Four Takes on Technology" is Flags and Friends. It brings me back to the sixth-grade where we had international pen-pals. I remember the excitement when my next new letter arrived. Communicating with someone 3,000 miles away was so new and exciting to me. I even remember how different my pen-pals handwriting was from mine. Today students can fully communicate with their peers in other countries. Not only can they reach each other through writing but they can now see and hear each other! Connecting with people from different backgrounds fosters acceptance, collaboration and people skills.

The video "Learn to Change, Change to Learn" reminded me of a recent article I read for my READ class here at Montclair State. A student was known to struggle in reading and writing. His mentor found out that he had a blog about environmental issues and policies. His teacher was shocked that this student who she thought had no point of views was expressing himself through his online community. The speakers in this video described this type of learning environment as "not pressured and reflective".

Now that I am finished with my first blog I am excited for what is to come in this course! I am looking forward to exploring the many uses of technology in the classroom. I am sure that I will also be learning a lot about how to use technology for myself!