The article discusses how blogs can be used for educational purposes outlining the activities of fifth and sixth grade students at Institut St. Joseph in Quebec City.
Stephen Downes notes that blogs can be used 1) to post announcements and to provide students with a space to post the results of their work or to reflect on concepts or ideas discussed in class. He also states that blogs can be used as a private space that students can to communicate with the teacher. This is an interesting way to use a blog as it allows the teacher to connect with a student. The teacher can get to know the student better without talking to the student in class, which can be useful especially in large classes where the teacher may not have the opportunity to observe every student. It also allows the teacher to see what the students think about a particular topic which the teacher could use to improve the lesson for the entire class.
The article also notes that blogging can be used 2) to develop critical thinking and information literacy skills. I think this is a great way to help students strengthen these skills because it allows them to reflect on what they are writing and thinking while they are while which is something most students probably don’t do. One way to encourage students to be write more thoughtful comments in their blog was suggested by Ken Smith saying students should be assigned to read and then link to what interests them and why and then, and they engage with the content and with authors through criticising, questioning, and reacting.
3)One thing that makes the use of blogs so attractive is their ease-of-use. The article describes the technology and software that contribute to this feature. 4)Negative features of blogs and blogging, such as the potential conflict between the blogger and the administration (liberous content is problematic), the possibility that not all students will be motivated all the time ( often neglect to see bogs when contents are already written).
Educational BloggingSeptember 14, 2007Downes, Stephen (2004, September/October). Educational blogging, EDUCAUSE Review, 39(5), 14–26. http://www.educause.edu/pub/er/erm04/erm0450.asp?bhcp=1
2008年11月20日木曜日
2008年11月8日土曜日
ESL and technology
This article is introduced by TESL journal. I think it is first time to read the article from language learning journal, and glad to have one because I am interested to see how technologies are introduced to ESL classrooms.
The author addresses many ideas relates to recent phenomena in information age, and they seem to be a native subject to ESL teachers. The ideas include communities of practice, informal learning, and multiliteracies. He also raised an awareness on the importance of multiliteracies and how students need to be skilled. The author implies these skills help them when they work in an authentic environment.
Through new media and technologies, as stated, students will be able to develop critical thinking skills as well as learning within communities which enables students efficiently harvest what is most relevant to them, which are vital in the world today. It is especially important for ESL students to be able to use English via technologies that they can connect to native speakers through the communities on the web where English is the predominant language for communication. Learning in communities sounds fun to me. I suppose language learning should be fun too.
Cited work:
Stevens, V. (2006, October). Applying multiliteracies in collaborative learning environments: Impact on teacher professional development. TESL-EJ, 10(2), Retrieved November 3, 2008, from http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej38/int.html
The author addresses many ideas relates to recent phenomena in information age, and they seem to be a native subject to ESL teachers. The ideas include communities of practice, informal learning, and multiliteracies. He also raised an awareness on the importance of multiliteracies and how students need to be skilled. The author implies these skills help them when they work in an authentic environment.
Through new media and technologies, as stated, students will be able to develop critical thinking skills as well as learning within communities which enables students efficiently harvest what is most relevant to them, which are vital in the world today. It is especially important for ESL students to be able to use English via technologies that they can connect to native speakers through the communities on the web where English is the predominant language for communication. Learning in communities sounds fun to me. I suppose language learning should be fun too.
Cited work:
Stevens, V. (2006, October). Applying multiliteracies in collaborative learning environments: Impact on teacher professional development. TESL-EJ, 10(2), Retrieved November 3, 2008, from http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/TESL-EJ/ej38/int.html
2008年11月7日金曜日
Cloud computer
Review Nicholas G. Carr discusses the changes in the future of computing. One of the more dramatic changes is a shift to cloud computing -- "where applications and files are stored on a large, centralized supercomputer or network"
Japanese companies utilize cloud computing system for their management.The interesting point is that not only they system is used by huge companies but in small and medium business. What they see this as an advantageous is that since people who work in cloud computer can manage and create statistic graphs using the data which companies sent, business person in Japan could see sophisticated data. On the top of that, all worker can access to the exactly same data; therefore, they can share same files in any time and any place.
I am sure this system impacts upon all over the world, but here again, security is huge issue. I cannot believe that an important data is gathered in same place, San Francisco, from all over the world. What if the system got stuck or data is stolen, small and medium business surely goes down.
I am interested in seeing how Google or Apple intervene this business, but I have a skeptical view toward this.
See below for detail:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/google-apple-cloud-computer.htm
Japanese companies utilize cloud computing system for their management.The interesting point is that not only they system is used by huge companies but in small and medium business. What they see this as an advantageous is that since people who work in cloud computer can manage and create statistic graphs using the data which companies sent, business person in Japan could see sophisticated data. On the top of that, all worker can access to the exactly same data; therefore, they can share same files in any time and any place.
I am sure this system impacts upon all over the world, but here again, security is huge issue. I cannot believe that an important data is gathered in same place, San Francisco, from all over the world. What if the system got stuck or data is stolen, small and medium business surely goes down.
I am interested in seeing how Google or Apple intervene this business, but I have a skeptical view toward this.
See below for detail:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/google-apple-cloud-computer.htm
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