www.trefz.blogspot.com

Comment by Jeff Beard on January 29, 2009 at 10:11pm

I really like how you have used the blog and wiki in your classroom! I am new to this site, but have heard great things. In addition to being a doctoral student in instructional technology, I also teach an introduction to instructional computing course for teacher education students. The course examines how to use technology to support teaching and learning and is designed to prepare teacher preparation students to integrate a variety of computer-based technologies into the K-12 curriculum. Therefore, I am always looking at how educators are implementing technology tools effectively in the classroom. So I look forward to sharing ideas with everyone!

I am currently teaching my class how to use blogs and wikis and we are using blogger and pbwiki. We discuss using them in their classroom, but I think it can be hard for them to grasp without seeing active examples of teachers using them in the classroom. Would you mind me using your classroom blog and wiki to demonstrate to my soon to be K-12 teachers how to effectively use them in a classroom?

Comment by Kim Trefz on January 30, 2009 at 6:02am

Thanks so much for the feedback! I have just begun using the blog and wiki this month, and I am so excited about all of the possibilities. I would be honored for you to use our blog as an example, and my students will be thrilled to know that others are reading their work. I must say that I have seen a huge difference in my students' motivation to learn since we have begun posting on the blog and wiki. It gives writing a real purpose and I am seeing them revise and edit without the reminders. They know that the world is watching and they want to make a great impression. Great grammar and writing habits are being created and reinforced without the extra push that I once had to give.

Your class on instructional computing sounds awesome! I would have loved the opportunity to have support and guidance from a college technology course. I have spent a lot of time researching, looking at examples, and just using trial and error as I have gone along. It has all been well worth it though, and the results have been rewarding!

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