Assessment 1: Embedded Task 1

The following blog entry is in response to Assessment 1: Embedded Task 1.

https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-lets-blog-phrase-handwritten-blackboard-heart-symbol-o-image50689759

Understanding Blogs and the Nature of Blogging

If you use a computer to browse the internet for answers to your questions or simply just for entertainment, there's a high chance you've heard of the term 'blog'. You may enjoy reading blogs on a variety of content or perhaps you create your own blog for others to read, comment on, or share with friends. A blog is an online space in which you can express yourself by creating content for others to view. It can be used for numerous reasons including a personal journal, to share information or opionions, to ask for the opinion of others, or perhaps for no reason at all other than you enjoy it. To put it simply, a blog is a medium in which information is presented, and therefore can ultimately be whatever you want it to be.

https://redefineschool.com/we-can-just-do-whatever-w-want/

All which is needed to begin creating your blog is a capable device (computer, tablet, smartphone) with an internet connection. Next head to any blogging website and the fun begins. Information in your blog can be presented in a variety of ways; the most common being text. Other methods include:

images
video
audio
links to other websites and online destinations

The capability of inputing links to external websites, inputing external images and videos (via embedding), the oppurtunity to collaborate using this technology is supported; therefore, encouraging networking for people with similar interests across the global community.

With the ability to present these different types of information, one can begin to personalise their own blog space. In addition to this, predesign themes or custom templates can be applied to your blog page which can change the colour scheme, font, layout, and a range of small details, allowing you to further personalise your space.

http://www.abalancedbelly.co.uk/20-gifs-sum-blog-journey-perfectly/

Whilst some of this may seem like it will take hours of reading tutorial scripts and watching videos on how to create yourself a blog and utilise these features, it has really become quite simple. I, for instance, had never before create a blog, however, after following several short and simple prompts I had created this blog space, written a description, input a link to an external website, input a GIF image (of something irrelevant but which I personally enjoy looking at), input a youtube video of some nice music, and applied a template design. What I can therefore say is, my first experience blogging with 'blogger.com' has been straightforward with minimal problems. This makes me realise that blogging can really be possible for anyone, even if they have minimal computing exerperience; and is bound to become easier as the platforms develop.

This video below is a beginners guide made by WordPress explaining the steps to creating a blog:

In addition to the features I have mentioned, privacy settings play a role in ensuring the blog can be accessed how you like. Privacy settings include changes options such as:

passwords and login details
who can view your blog
who can comment on your blog
who can edit your blog

My privacy settings allow anyone to view and comment on my blog and I am the only person who can make edits and create posts. For a school student, however, it is of upmost importance to ensure their safety is never compromised and that their blogging experience remains in accordance with legal and ethical protocols. The key aspects to consider with regards to a students use include:

level of access

who can view their blog
who can comment on their blog
who can edit or create posts on their blog

For a student, this must be restricted to personal use only, and perhaps use by the teacher. Other students should have the capabilities to view and comment on posts, and potentially where students have formed a group blog then share-authors should be allowed. Students should be informed of copyright and plagarism issues, and taught how to correctly reference outsourced information. Lastly, students should be made aware of the ethical responsibilities they agree to when first creating their personal blog. This means not posting inappropriate content and no suggestions of bullying. Students should complete discussions and tasks which allow them to understand how using such digital tools comes with a responsibility, and perhaps provided with demonstrations of the potential problems can arise, and why their are specific protocols in place to avoid them from occuring.

As I noted earlier, blogging allows the sharing of external content through different mediums including external links, images, and videos. Within a school environment, this creates huge possibilities. Students can become creators of knowledge within specific subject areas of which they are passionate and indepently share their ideas and interests with one another. Blogging can encourage this new form of independent collaborating and networking in which the students are free to express themselves in a multitude of different ways; implicitly allowing their personalities and passions to shine. Allowing this experience will also result in a deeper understanding of the subject matter as they will learn and find answers on their own (as opposed to being explicitly told).

www.canteach.ca

There are numerous ways in which the use of technology can improve the learning experience within the classroom. The SAMR model can help teachers feed technology into the classroom to aid the learning experience. The image below describes the four key concepts:

http://www.schrockguide.net/samr.html

To allow an easier interpretation of how technology can be utilised within the classroom, I can demonstrate practical examples of how it can be infused in a maths and/or science based lesson, using the SAMR model as a guide.

1. Redefinition - maths homework : students are required to create their own questions, expressed in the form of a blog, and share this online with the rest of the class. 2 questions each - one short answer (knowledge and procedures type) and one long answer (modelling and problem solving type). They are also required to solve the questions created by 2 other students on paper and bring to class tomorrow.

2. Modification - science task: students are required to visit webpage and engage with an interactive video clip which demonstrates a chemical reaction taking place. They are required to identify the time at which significant events occur. Screenshots of the different stages and explanations can be embedded into a blog post for sharing with classmates and teacher assessment.

3. Augmentation - maths task: students are required to use 'Desmos online graphing calculator' to explore making simple shapes by writing a variety of line equations including linear and polynomial expressions. The shape they have to make can be determined by searching the blog posts of classmates to find a shape they think they could possible construct. Results can be posted and shared on their blog.

4. Substitution - science report writing: after completing a series of experiments in class, students are required to post results and complete their dicussion of the results on a shared-author blog in groups. Each group are required to read another groups post and then write a conclusion based off of their discussion.

Note:
A list of blogging websites are provided below:

Blogger

Weebly

WikiSpaces

Heyman's ICT's

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