- I viewed Lisa’s slidecast on blogging and Jim Sullivan’s Elluminate session: it all makes sense to me. I started blogging with my students about 1 year and half ago only via my cultural blog but I do need more involvement from my students. Next semester, I will make it mandatory by asking to make a certain number of comments and the rest can be an option for extra credit. Right now, it is only an extra credit but few students are willing to participate. They might be too busy to participate?! I don’t know but some semesters the participation was fantastic. All the posts are very relevant to the class I teach but the interest is not “100%” yet.
Grade center, assignments, etc.
- Engrade, an online gradebook: I liked it for what I have seen so far but I did not registered as I don’t need to do this yet. I already use Blackboard but it looked very enticing to me when I saw the format and what it had to offer. I will have to check their grade center to compare it with Blackboard. Especially in regards to weight and straight pts. How they handle that compared to Blackboard (running total).
I like it!
- I had much fun creating my own mini-website last night at Google Sites. I put some basic course information and other things and, in fact, I wanted to keep going by adding more and more but I had to stop at some point… Addicting! I first watched Pilar’s tutorial to make sure I knew how to start on the right path. Basic template. Nothing fancy yet and I still need to make some revisions but at least it is okay for the time being. Here it is. Any types of comments are welcomed, of course. I don’t mind receiving advice at all because I don’t know everything:
https://sites.google.com/site/francais101miracosta2013/
This week’s topics ☟
- What might be the advantages and disadvantages of using a class blog or student blogs for your class? : I could see some disadvantages if the students get carried away with making negative comments about someone else’s opinion if they disagree…?! Other than that, it is definitely a good community sharing of thoughts to enrich the class. It gives a better idea of whom the students are by talking about different subjects pertaining to the class. Just like we can see on Yahoo chat (I am not sure if it called chat or not, sorry…), which is basically like a blog where people share their opinion (but here it can be anonymous). The teacher as the moderator has the power to leave or take away the comments if not appropriate. Nothing wrong with online debates as stated in Teaching online a practical guide.
- Could a Google Site or web page make a good welcome for students?: Definitely!!!!!!! It goes without saying and it is even better. Students want to know whom their teacher is. I had students in the past who would go on the Internet to see who I was besides being a teacher. In a way, nothing is private anymore but it can be used in a positive way by sharing what can only be shared so I prefer making the first step to tell them about my interests and other types of things while not saying everything….. Just the best about me, ah, ah!
I’m interested in trying student blogs in my class. You said you have a blog that students comment on? Have you had students write their own blog posts yet? I can see some of the disadvantages of students getting into a debate, but I think as long as the guidelines are spelled out and the instructor has a ability to delete posts, most of that risk should be mitigated.
….You said you have a blog that students comment on? : Yes and here it is = http://flairfrancais.ning.com.
…Have you had students write their own blog posts yet? : Not yet but this could be a good concept to try for the next semesters. I actually had a vague idea about it but I did not give it a “deeper thought.” I am so used to do all the work in regards to looking for new posts, new ideas, etc.
…I can see some of the disadvantages of students getting into a debate, but I think as long as the guidelines are spelled out and the instructor has a ability to delete posts, most of that risk should be mitigated: Yes, I certainly agree with you.
You know, it all depends on the students’ personality; some go overboard with “bizarre” comments, others comply with the rules.
Thank you so much for your answer. I like participation, know what other people think.
I am impressed that you get some students to participate voluntarily. I have always made it mandatory. That you have not needed to says quite a bit about how connected you are to your students.
Jim
That you have not needed to says quite a bit about how connected you are to your students: What do you mean? I don’t quite understand your comment. I am connected to my students via my on site class: is this what you mean?! Everything is going well but there are always some lazy students anyway each semester. I cannot help that yet…Maybe it is a question of charm, who knows!