Top 10 reasons to use a blog in the classroom

I just watched the YouTube video that had students describe why they like using blogs in the classroom. A couple of the more compelling comments to me were that students like the interactive nature of blogs and also that blogging allows otherwise reluctant students an alternative way to classroom participation.

I'm often looking for ways to get more students to participate in classroom discussions. I think that a classroom blog is a good way to get shy/quiet students to be more involved in class and to have a different type of "voice."

Working on my 21 things...

Ok, today I am committed to finish one more of my 21 Things for Metronet. I'm hoping to stumble across some more neat web 2.0 tools that I can share with you. Wish me luck! :)

Google docs

I'm really excited to use Google docs on an upcoming student project. I love that students can collaborate and create a group project or presentation, without one or two students doing the bulk of the work. With Google docs, I can easily keep track of which students are contributing to the group project and in what manner.

Research Project Calculator

I'm proud to say that I was able to talk about the Research Project Calculator with parents and colleagues this morning at a 504 meeting. The parents were concerned with their son's ability to stay on top of on-going research assignments. I was able to briefly explain the R.P.C. and also to point out that there is a link to this on my webpage at work.