Blogging and RSS as Tools for Educators

Blogging and RSS - The "What Is It? and "How To" of Powerful New Web Tools for Educators is an article written by Will Richardson, Supervisor of Instructional Technology in Fleming, New Jersey.  

One of my assignments is to read an educational article and write about it.  I still consider myself a novice in the art of blogging and am discovering what a great tool it can be...for cathartic purposes and for educational purposes, as well.

The article's purpose is to introduce blogging and RSS to the uninitiated and curious educator who is not sure what those terms mean.  The author seems to be "well versed" in the matter and offers his comments on using blogs and RSS in an educational setting.  The boom in blogs apparently is growing and everyone is using it- from homemakers to politicians to entertainers.  

December 2008 was the start of my blogging and I must say I was a tad nervous.  I tried Wordpress and found the instructions too intimidating.  At that point in time my only technological achievement was a powerpoint on Evita Peron.  I know I will never be the world's greatest writer, but a blog allows that chance to anyone.  Everyone offers something...from recipes, to how-to tips, to simple movie reviews.  And that's what I wanted to accomplish.  The Blogger proved to be a great site and has helped me improve in this territory.  I try to change templates on a monthly basis.

As an educator it came to be that blogging could be used in many ways.  Last year, Chelsea and Terence were the "Blog Editors" of our school's blogsite.  It was mainly a place where students could have their written or artistic work on display.  It was great for one year and somehow things happened.  Hopefully it will be resurrected next year.  So, even by a simple work display exercise, the realization of blogging extending to education became a reality.

It is a great tool for collaboration in the classroom.  Simple assignments can be posted for differentiated instruction- for ESL or the reluctant reader and writer.  How creative can a child get by writing about a sumer vacation on a blog and illustrating it as well?  Together with the teacher, the skills needed for good writing can be taught in a blog.  

The RSS is built-in metasite where sites are checked and you don't have to worry about the spam or other "naughty" things that tend to pop up.

The idea of subscribing to a blog allows a child to share his/her thoughts not just in the classroom, but on a global level.  That does sound frightening, but for the digital native, that's a part of life.  Our planet has become so close thanks to technology that our kids have the world and its citizens as a great resource!

I suppose that's why I started a blog.  One of my co-workers said that some of my entries were great to use as examples to show the kids that blogging is a better way to express ideas and feelings than just "dissing" friends.  

I used one entry with my 8th grade Literature class.  I wanted them to describe a trip they had taken- internationally or down to SoCal.  Entitled Fiestas Patronales and under the label of "Are We There Yet?" it describes my reminiscences of a trip to Nicaragua with my mom in 1966.  After reading it, the kids kindly said I was a great writer and I should write a book.  That is the ultimate compliment from a class.  I just wanted them to see that blogging could be fun and make writing interesting if you share something about your personal life.  As an instructor, I am well aware that certain things can be written about; that's why the title's explanations states its mission.

 And yes, this is the time for "shameless self promotion" as I invite you, my Lesley classmates, to check out this blog.  The nice things about blogs...they're diamonds in the rough.

So far...

It is already mid-June; where does the time go?  This week I started my summer job at the Salesian Boys and Girls Club in North Beach.  What an area to work in!  Great restaurants, lots of tourists and the ambiance in general.  And the job?  I've never worked with 4 year olds...and it's an experience.  God bless those men and women in early childhood education- the real foundation that helps everyone in K-12 survive.  They are cute kids, but must be involved in some sort of activity as their attention spans are very short!  Working on an international version of It's A Small World that hopefully reflects the population of San Francisco.  I will re-learn patience this summer.
The school year ended nice.  As you can see in the pic, our Play Day was an activity experienced by students and teachers alike.  All the kids had fun; my only negative complaint is that on Play Day, one team is the 1st prize winner- they're the only ones who get a ribbon.  Everyone else, well, not even a certificate.  In the past we did away with the 1st prize and all the children got a blue ribbon stating they participated in Play Day.  But, as usual, I digress.
Looking back, the year was a tough one.  Our principal, Sister Louise, passed away after a long battle with cancer.  She tried to work at school in September, but it was too much for her.  She must have been in pain, but she never showed.  She was tired and would say so.  I do miss her and thank her for inspiring me in the technological aspect of education.  My class this past year consisted of 26 very eager and rambunctious kids...Destin, Asanté, Shay, Rizza, Kailyne, Molasi...to name a few.  From slow learner to advanced learner- 26 youngsters thirsty for knowledge, enjoying school, and sharing our lives for a year.  May their 7th grade be a successful one with Miss W.
This year has been good to me so far- starting with the doggie, Papi, who became a part of my life in February.  It's amazing how much an animal companion makes a difference in one's life.  And you all know who has taken over the bed!  Then, getting a summer job and working with new kids.  Lastly, taking Masters in Education classes with Lesley University.  A whole new world to discover and new friends in the making.  Lord only knows what the rest of the year will be like.
Don't want to talk about the mess the Gulf of Mexico is in.  For that you have all the newsblogs, sites, etc.  I hope Mother Nature does not take revenge for humanity's folly.
Bueno, that's all for today.   Have a new Internet connection, via Comcast, and will start that today.  My piggybacking days are over, as I have been blocked by "FriscoCisco."  Can't complain, though.
Until the next entry!  BTW, the Tony Awards were wonderful  Memphis was the big winner in the musical category.

Blanche Devereaux Gone But Not Forgotten

Another of our "golden girls" is gone to heaven.  Rhue McClannhan went to her heavenly reward last week.  Not having internet access right now makes posting difficult.
I remember seeing her in the 70s on Maude with Bea Arthur; she portrayed her best friend.  Later in the late 80s, The Golden Girls introduced the world to her irreverant, yet fun "woman of the world" Blanche Devereaux.  Her behaviour proved that women over 50 can be active in many ways...wink wink!
Later, she portrayed a hilarious Reverend Mother Regina in Nunsense and Nunsense II: The Second Coming.  She could sing, dance and speak with a great Irish brogue.  And her portrayal of a teacher in Starship Troopers made us aware that there was life after a teleseries.
It's amazing how the stars of television become a part of our lives; I think moreso than movie stars.  They are "intimately" with us making us laugh, cry, argue on a weekly or daily basis.  And they never grow old.  They are alive in our hearts and cure us of our blues.  Thank you Rhue for giving joy, laughter and "a good time."