With
the development of technologies, blog is emerging as an efficient tool to
communicate with students and for professional development. For a start, I think
that using blogs can facilitate idea sharing and interaction outside classroom.
According to my experience, some students are too shy to make a speech or ask a
question in class. However, if I can use blog as a teaching tool, these students
can feel more relaxed to ask me question or communicate with their classmates
on written form. In addition, once students have some new ideas, they can share
them immediately and don’t need to wait till the next class.
As for professional development, I think
blog is very useful. By using blog, I can do several reflections. For my
experience in last semester, I have learned that self-reflection is very important
for teachers. Through writing down my teaching experience, I can find flaws in
my teaching plan and what I failed to consider before classes. Blog can provide
me with a good platform to do reflections. More importantly, on my blog, I can
receive valuable feedback. Some colleagues may pay attention to my blog. Thus,
after I post some of my experience, they may point out my disadvantages or
flaws of my teaching plans or teaching methods. And I can make improvements.
According to ACTFL National Standards for Foreign Language Education , I think there are two important standards
which blogging could meet. The first one is that by blogging students can
obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. For example,
before every class, I can put reading links on blog and students can better do
their preview. Then after class, I can organize a small forum on blog in which
students can express their feelings or gains from the class(just like we do how did it go in this course). Secondly,
by blogging students can present information, concepts and ideas to an audience
of readers on a variety of topics. For instance, students can present everything
they are interested in on blog including music, movies, fashion show or current
events etc. In this way, students would practice their reading and writing
ability potentially on various topics.
Hi Lijun~ That is a good idea to share your blog with colleagues to absorb new ideas and to help each other when you need advice. I also agree that blogs can improve studetns' reading and writing skills. I am sure that I could see their improvement little by little.
ReplyDeleteHi Lijun,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea about using your blog to reflect. Maybe you might think of additional ideas regarding a lesson that went well by reflecting. Also I think considering students' interests in movies, music, fashion and current events greatly facilitates learning. I enjoyed reading reading your remarks. Thanks.
Lijun,
ReplyDeleteI really like your thoughts using blogs because some students may be shy. That was me. I also think blogging for professional development is great in the sense of reflection and learning from others. I also like the idea of students being about to share their interests while blogging, that is important and can be a way students can express their own interests.