week two

Zawilinski's article, "HOT Blogging: A Framework for Blogging to Promote Higher Order Thinking," allowed me to have a greater understanding of blogs in the classroom. Although I read many blogs both for personal leisure and professional use, I never thought about the categories of blogs, including News Blogs, Mirror Blogs, Showcase Blogs, and Literature Response Blogs. I am hoping to create a library blog this year featuring book reviews, student work, and library news. I now understand that my blog will be a mix of a News Blog and a Showcase Blog. Although I am in a high school library setting, this is the blog type that I feel would be most appropriate and well-received. Now, it is up to me to begin blogging, recruit students to contribute, and figure out a way to market the blog effectively. I am looking forward to receiving ideas about marketing from my classmates.

week one

As discussed in Baumbach's article, Web 2.0 allows students to create and contribute to the web, rather than simply consuming it. Unfortunately, many Web 2.0 tools are blocked in NYC schools. For example, Tumblr, a simple blogging site, is now blocked in our school -- even though last year, our students were able to create their own online journals using this tool. This is a huge barrier when it comes to equitable access. The digital divide is extreme and public schools should be leveling the playing field, rather than perpetuating the inequality. Currently, many educators in my building have received the professional development and training required to teach Web 2.0 tools effectively. Now, we just need the resources.