Trying Technological Teaching

A 6th grade Social Studies teacher has enabled other teachers, students, and family members to be connected to his students’ learning. On this site he shows students’ work, displays homework assignments, and provides information on activities that have been done in class or will be done in class. Students have put up “funnies” (a series of jokes), essays, and projects.  This seems a great resource for a teacher to use, especially in order to connect with his or her students’ parents. Adding activities, photographs of progress made on a puzzle of the globe or map of earth, and student work gives family members something to work from if they are wondering how school is going for their child. Teresa Almeida d’Eca uses her blog to put review activities for her students. She is an english teacher in Portugal for 5th and 6th graders. “Room 613″ is less interactive, but accomplishes the same goal of connecting all those involved in the education of the children in this class. My reservations about this use of blogs as a way of connecting are few, but pointed. Using a blog as a primary way of communicating between parent and teacher assumes that all students have internet access at home, and that parents have the time to check it out.  These are not always assured. Also, it is important to have the work of all of your students on the site, unless their parents are not willing to allow you to post it. If one parents gets on the site and sees that his child is not well represented, he may ask the teacher why his child is not as supported as other students. It is important not to open yourself up to criticisms of favoring certain students, even if it is not the case.  This site is, however, a very good resource for parents. Thus, the purpose is served. It is important, however, to avoid relying too much on the blog as an avenue of communication. It is an addition to the more personal connections and tangible communications between teachers and parents.