Blog Entry 2- "Avoiding the Digital Abyss" Important Technology Features for the Classroom

Reference
Mullen, R., & Wedwick, L. (2008). Avoiding the digital abyss: Getting started in the classroom with YouTube, digital stories, and blogs. The Clearing House, 82(2), 66-69. Retrieved from http://library.aurora.edu/login?url=http:// search.proquest.com/docview/196844606?accountid=26354

Summary

This article, “Avoiding the Digital Abyss: Getting Started in the Classroom with the YouTube, Digital Stories, and Blogs”, highlights a teacher’s use of these three tools to enhance curriculum, prepare students, and provide students time for positive collaboration.   Even though this study takes place in a much smaller district/school, the technology is comparable to what my school has now (computer lab with access of Internet and Microsoft Office Software and a few computers in each classroom).   The article reviews the simple uses of these simple tools that any teacher would be able to apply to the classroom.

YouTube

In this article, the teacher Rebecca Mullen, uses the Internet site YouTube for vocabulary, grammar, and to have students record their songs and/or dances which is privately posted on her account.

Digital Stories

Mullen used the Center for Digital Storytelling Web site for her 8^th grade students to focus on telling stories with the use of pictures, either their own pictures or via Google photos.   Mullen mentioned it is more important to focus on the story before deciding on pictures or video clips.  Microsoft Movie Maker or Microsoft Photo Story 3 are software that is available to create these digital stories. 

Blogs

According to Merriam-Webster a definition for blog is, “a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks” (2008).   Mullen used Blogger for her middle school students.  Before the students set their blog up, they watched an informational video about blogs and read a variety of online articles and blogs.  She had her students pseudonyms and can only post when she is logged in for safety.  Students used their blogs for book recommendations, respond to and discuss current events, and comment to their peers.  Also, Mullen used it for posting homework, classroom calendar, podcast lessons, and reflections of students. 

Reflection

In all, it is important for all teachers to close the digital divide by using tools such as these mentioned in the article.  YouTube is an easy way to incorporate technology to the students and to enhance their learning.  After reading this article, I realized I need to save the videos in my favorite sections so I or students can easily access them again and again, if needed.  She provided other sites that have videos for teachers, but mentioned YouTube has one of the largest databases.  As for the digital stories, this is something I have used before when I started my teaching career, but has moved away from and using more “TED Talks.”   I believe some students would highly enjoy creating a digital story and posting it on their blog.  Equipment and time are needed from the teacher and student to utilize this tool.  Lastly, as for blogs, this is something I most certainly want to use in my classroom, but using it efficiently to enhance curriculum is something I want to ensure.  If students did not have their own device, this would be difficult to implement in the classroom.  Since we are moving to 1 to 1, it will be easier for students to learn technology skills having their own blog.  But my BIG question is… what is the best blog software out there for teachers who have 75 students or more?