Communicating to the Masses: Gutenberg to the WWW

The year is 1450 and Gutenberg succeeds in creating a means to get print material to the masses. This has been deemed one of the most important inventions in history. And with any mouse trap... someone is going to build a better one. Well, that might just be the Internet. Speaking on strictly an educational level; technology, communication, and dissemination of information is just a couple of key strokes away. The most common example of this would be the millions of web pages created by educators (Example: http://www.mrsscotten.com/) to communicate to their students, parents of their students, colleges, or just the general public.

But web pages are high maintenance and time consuming.... enter the BLOG.

I believe that blogging does hold a place (like Gutenberg's press) in communicating and bringing information to the masses. Most families in 2007 have at least one computer in their house connected to the Internet. Most parents are concerned about their child's education and grades. Most teenagers do not communicate well with their parents when it comes to classwork, projects, and homework. Parents need straight forward and accurate information in regards to their child's assignments. SOLUTION: Teachers can create a blog and highlight classwork, homework and upcoming projects.

Blogging is an easy way for a teacher to communicate to all the families of their students (that could be 20 or 35 for K-6 or 180 for 7-12). Blogging also allows parents to comment and have teachers reply. The reply could be a simple statement or an invitation that they correspond by e-mail, phone or face to face. This way a teacher can filter out 90-95% of questions and really only worry about the 5-10% of the class that need extra assistance. This will not only increase student performance, because parents are getting first hand information which allows them to hold their child accountable for the work that has been assigned. But blogging can also make a teachers life easier by offering a way to communicate with parents without actually talking with them.

LMTs can have some fun with Blogging and increase a students interest in learning at the same time. Last time I checked, kids love surfing the web and using the computer. LMTs can use this to their advantage and 'trick' students into learning.... but it really isn't learning because the students will be having fun.

1. LMTs can have a question of the day on their blog which students can find and post the answer on the blog.

2. LMTs can have some fun by posting a weekly situation (like in the game Scruples) and have the students reply with what they would do in the situation. (this has higher level thinking skills written all over it !!Blooms!!)... and they would have to support their answer and give one negative result of their action.

3. LMTs can post a brain teaser or word problem (not mathematical) and see if a student can post a solution.

4. LMTs can put an opinion on the blog and have student agree or disagree AND support their answer with 3 facts. They could work with the speech and debate teacher and make it part of their grade.

5. LMTs can use the blog as an online book chat and review with student's supplying all the resources and information. LMT could work with a classroom teacher and it could count toward their grade.

Though blogging might not be as important as the invention of the printing press, it is a viable form of communication. When used correctly (or at least in an educational format), a blog can help a teacher communicate with parents or help an LMT spark interest in subjects students might not explore. So in conclusion, I think that blogging can enhance the educational experience and is medium I will explore this summer and hope to implement during the 2007-08 school year.