Thing #2 questions

1. What was your reaction to the videos? I viewed them last night. One stands out. It featured 10 individuals/students discussing the benefits of blogging. They thought that it was very helpful in obtaining assignments and getting clarification on assignments easily. One student felt that it was a good way to get assignments when she had missed class.

2. Are you thinking about using Blogs in your classroom? Why or Why Not? I think they could be useful in my AP government class. These students are probably familiar with the technology and it could be a way for them to discuss issues presented in class. I think one of the social studies teachers has used this for several years and the students use it all the time. Will I use it? I don't know. I don't feel comfortable with the technology yet. We will see.

3. Are you using Blogs in your classroom? I am not. I have only set this one up, and it is pretty basic.

4. What are some ways you envision blogs being used in your classroom? As I briefly mentioned above, I think it could be a good sounding board for students to ask questions regarding the course content, assignments, etc. I could put assignments and other class information on there as well. I am sure there are many other ways to use blogs that I am not fully aware of yet.

5. What do you like or dislike about RSS feeders? I must honestly tell you, I have yet to set one up. I am still confused about how to set them up. I will work on that this week and set some up. I did, however, want to post Thing 2, as I feel I am not keeping up. I think they could make it easier to find/hear about topics or gather information easier than going to the website itself, since it feeds its information to me. I anticipate that it could bring more information to met than I have the time to read. I believe that in one of the videos for Thing 2 a teacher confessed that he reads blogs (?) for at least 2 hours a day!!! I have no idea where he finds the time.

6. How might you be able to use RSS in your personal life? I am not sure. I think if I had more time I would be able to subscribe to more feeders and be able to read them. I think it would be for general knowledge. The RSS feeders seem to me to be more interesting as a way to enhance my knowledge for the classroom.

7. Did you find any great resources we should all add to our Google Reader? No, but as Sarah Palin says "I'll get back to you when I find one."