Blog #4: Educational Blogging

What is educational blogging? If I were asked this question I would define it by saying it is a style of blogging used by teachers or faculty to bring light onto classroom topics or discussions. This is an avenue for teachers to express their thoughts and opinions on aspects of education that affect their daily lives and ability to teach. For teachers they can use their blogs as a way to showcase their students work, the resources that they use in the classroom as well as post helpful tips and pointers for their assignments in class. The blog can be created specifically for the teacher to use with their students or they can create a blog to aid in their communication with other teachers. These blogs can bring up points that encourage the analytical thinking of the readers and deepen their critical thinking skills on many topics stated by US department of education. Blogging is a very beneficial resource for school use whether it be through the use of the teacher or the students. 

Clipart image of a blog post and all of its components 

While reading the ideas of my classmates I was able to learn a lot. The first person that I want to make a comment on is Cat Dillards Blog about School Safety. I loved this post because it brings light to the concept that safety is not only in terms of keeping the children safe from physical harm but also from mental or emotional harm. I want to be a teacher that is a welcoming individual for my students like she wrote about and really work hard to create that safe environment for my students so they know they can always come to me if they need a trusted adult. Another peers blog that I enjoyed reading was Emily Klein's Blog about cyberbullying in schools. I have never been a victim of cyberbullying so her blog really served as a window for me to read about her experience and how harmful it was for her. I am hoping that in the lower elementary grades we will not have to face these issues in class but with technology
becoming such a big deal it frightens me to think that it may actually begin to trickle into the elementary school. I loved how she was brave enough to share her story as well as showcase how beenefical the schools involvement was in helping her get past the cyberbullying that was taking place in her life. The final classmate that I want to speak about is Leanna Lifords Blog about parent involvement with their students. Parent involvement is a very important factor of the students ability to do well in school. One thing that I loved about this post was how she began by stating that the term "caregiver" is more acceptable to use because there are many different family situations and lifestyles and whoever is the person that actually steps up to the plate to raise the child may not actually be their parent. Her post was very informative and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. 

Throughout the past few weeks we have been asked to write multiple blog posts and overall I enjoyed the experience. Before this I had no experience writing a blog and I was intimidated with the idea of this assignment but with time and practice it was very enjoyable. I liked having a space to write about some of the topics that I am most concerned with going into teaching. I also enjoyed being able to read about what my peers decided to discuss. I believe that moving on I will continue the use of a blog as a teacher, either as a way for myself to interact with my students and their guardians or for my class to create blogs as an avenue to share their ideas.