Integrating Web 2.0

What instructional strategies would fit well with using blogs in the classroom?

Scaffolding is one strategy that would fit with using blogs in the classroom. Students write posts responding to information as requested by the teacher, answering questions as and reflecting as understanding on a concept is built.

Students also can reply to each other's posts as they begin to work collaboratively building understanding/opinions whether through agreement or disagreement on a topic.

Students can use cooperative learning... not just within their class, but across the globe through posting to other classes and working toward a common goal.

Students become the author of their thoughts in their own forum, being able to express themselves.

What instructional strategies would not fit well in using blogs in the classroom?

Hands on/using manipulatives
Science Experiments
(Students can always reflect in a blog, but actually completing these tasks here is not possible)

How could you see blogs being used in your subject matter?

The first thing that came to mind to use blogs in first grade is our poetry unit. It would be great to have children post their poetry and let others respond with positive comments either from home, with older buddies, or a parent helper.

The students could put a review up of a favorite book.

Using Web 2.0 technology...?

Students could use voice tread to make a "movie" reviewing their favorite book, explaining a math problem, publishing their writing and drawings into a movie, comparing and contrasting...

I searched for my school in Wikipedia and found my school district, Huron Valley Schools. I noticed that the elementary schools listed are now incorrect. We used to have 11 elementary schools we currently have 10. (Apollo was re purposed last year and Baker will be re purposed next year bringing our total to 9 elementary schools for next school year.)

I also noticed that there were highlights of the district listed. I added to that list our Destination Imagination (DI) team from Kurtz Elementary. Our students had a DI team last year that took 1st place in the state moving on to the global competition in Knoxville, TN. This year we had a team place 2nd at the state level. They are currently in TN getting ready to compete at the Global Competition Level!

I am also beginning a Wikkispace page to compile good SMARTBoard lesson sites and ideas for use in the Primary Grades at http://mysmartboard.wikispaces.com/

computer based instructional objects

For students to use a computer based instructional objects considerations have to be made.
~Is the program user friendly?
I have looked through numerous WebQuests and found some that are user friendly
and others where it seems information/directions are lacking. For students to be
successful they need to know what to do and what is expected of them.
~Is it visually intriguing, but not over stimulating and is it organized?
Some websites go overboard with colors, links, etc. These can be distracting at times. A
computer based instructional object should be visually pleasing, but not overdone.
~Do all of the links work?
A LOT of the WebQuests I found had outdated links and games that no longer work.
~Are the links appropriate?
I found a WebQuest that was really great... until I clicked on the link and I needed a
subscription to use the site! Also, if you are directing students to a certain page of a
website, make sure the entire website is kid friendly as they may click on another page of
the site.
~Is it at an appropriate reading level?
I did have a harder time finding appropriate WebQuests for students in K-1. The
reading material is way over the head of an average K-1 student and most of the
WebQuests I found would need significant adult direction for a K-1 student to be
successful with.


Click on this link to find examples of WebQuests that I found useful! I searched many different sites, and found that these were some of the WebQuests I would be able to use in my own first grade classroom as they go along with what we teach in our curriculum and are designed for primary grades. Still... some groups will need more adult help or buddy help than others. It would be fun to do these WebQuests with our older buddy class.

WebPages Vs. Blogs

"Blogging is a new technological experience for me. I have had web pages in the past where I posted pictures and information periodically. On the web page there wasn’t a user friendly way to get feedback on what I was posting or to have discussions. The web pages had guest books where visitors could comment, but it was very unorganized. In a blog visitors can read and post comments in an orderly fashion. As the administrator of my blog I can comment back, approve, or disapprove of what others are posting on my site. It is a very organized way to have on going discussions."