Sunday, August 26, 2012
The purpose of this blog is to give you, the students, the opportunity to share your thoughts, assignments, and projects with each other and perhaps the world. It is a classroom blog to begin with, however if you want to start your own blog we can certainly talk about that! The blog will be the hub of collaboration and sharing for our class. You will also comment on the work of your classmates. Finally the blog will become a repository of your good ideas.
We will learn some cool easy Web 2.0 tools to help you complete assignments and projects. You may already know some and can teach me! Eventually, with your own blog or using something like Google docs, you can begin to create an eportfolio of your work. This blog is different from our BB site because it allows you to embed projects, comment directly on other's work, read postings from guests, and more. There will be plenty of guidelines for you to follow and information on how, when, why, etc. So don't freak out! We will ease into it and I promise it will enhance your learning and not just take time away from your studies.
Take the survey on web tools (posted on BB) and watch the following video. Go to the "Tips for Blogging" page here and then share your thoughts (via comments below) on your reaction to using a blog in our class by answering the following questions: Have you blogged before? How do you think it might be helpful? What is your biggest concern? What might be fun about blogging here?
Let's get started!
Blogs in Plain English
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What a creative way to use technology to teach and learn! I have blogged prior to this class, in an on-line Anthropology class. I have to admit I was darn right scared at first, putting thoughts out there for everyone to read and comment on. My concern was looking foolish in-front of others and not being able to convey my thoughts in a logical or concise manner. I felt as though I got to know others in my class without even meeting them. It was a great way to have a class discussion minus the classroom setting. It turned out to be fun and I looked forward to posting my weekly blogs, as well as reading the blogs from my classmates.
ReplyDeleteBiological Science has always been interesting to me since my high school days. I find it very refreshing that a college professor is using a blog as a study resource. The use of web tools such as blogs can make learning more interesting and engaging so I am looking forward to using a blog for this course. I have not used or followed blogs before but, I have recently become interested in and now follow some fashion and nursing blogs. My greatest concern with using blogs is privacy; however, the benefits of using a blog are many. Blogs can be a great platform to share ideas, pictures, engage in discussions and get to know my fellow classmates better as we travel this 99 mile road together! :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have kept a few personal blogs but never used one for school. I think my only concern about it is that I often think of something I would have liked to add or rather would have said long after I've hit publish! On a personal blog that can be easily corrected. I like the idea of using a blog as an educational tool. I've enjoyed Blackboard message board discussions in previous courses but the idea of a blog seems less "sterile". The environment that a blog has to offer will allow students, who are otherwise shy about opening up in a classroom setting, a platform to share their knowledge and ideas. This arena will benefit the class as a whole and I look forward to reading what everyone has to say!
ReplyDeleteI have never blogged for school before, but I can see why it might be helpful. Blogs can be helpful because of the way that they allow people to voice their opinions and see what others have to say about them. Ideas and thoughts can then be shared among a group of people with or without similar interests. Also mentioned by another student, privacy would be a concern of mine. However, I think it would be fun to read the opinions and comments of other students.
ReplyDeleteUsing a blog academically is a new thing for me but it is definitely one of the most interesting things that I have come upon. I have usually been the type of person who doesn’t blog much but rather the type who finds random blogs, reads a few posts, but doesn’t comment on them. To be honest, I am very shy and my biggest concern is expressing my ideas--especially in a public setting-- because I am afraid of what people might think. It puts me in a vulnerable place, but I have found that vulnerability is what allows us to have a true connection with each other. I believe that this blog will be extremely beneficial and fun for the class as it allows everyone to put their own individual thoughts and ideas as well as allowing others to gain insight on different topics. I can’t wait to check out new blog posts and read what my classmates have to say!
ReplyDeleteI have never blogged before, nor have I ever followed a blogg. It’s all new to me. I think that the blogg could be helpful in that I will have a chance to talk with my classmates about the material we are studying in class. My biggest concern would be that everyone gets to read what I am writing… which can be a bit intimidating. I have never done this before so I think the whole experience of it will be fun. Also being able to talk with other students who are interested in the same thing…or at least studying the same thing as me will be a neat experience.
ReplyDeleteI have never blogged before nor have I ever followed a blog. I think this blog would be helpful to gain insight about the microbiological world and get a better understanding of it through the comment of my peers. My biggest concern would have to be navigating throughout the website. I believe that the most interesting thing would have to be seeing and reading what everyone has to say about any certain topic after all everyone does have his or her own opinion.
ReplyDeleteI have never blogged before this class. I feel this blog will help with leearning new things pertaining to Microbiology. My biggest concern is navigating the website and posting my comments. However, I know that once I get used to it, it will no longer become a problem. From this blog, I am most excited to read new articles, posts and updates on new things pertaining to Micro and to be able to relate them to real life.
ReplyDeleteI have maintained a few personal blogs over the years, but have never used a blog in an academic setting. Blog interactivity is fairly minimal (post -> replies) but a blog can be useful to share pertinent information with a class. I'd like to see videos or links to sites with more information about a subject we are currently studying. My only concern is that blogs get stale quickly if not constantly updated. I look forward to discovering the ways in which this blog may be used academic tool.
ReplyDeleteI have never blogged before but I think it's a cool idea. It might be helpful to those who are not so outspoken in class but have a whole head full of ideas and questions. I tend to think that people are a lot more bolder online. My only concern is that it does seem like a drag to have to remember to go online and it could get old real quick. I think it would be fun to read articles on things that are relevant to our every day lives.
ReplyDeleteI have blogged in the past but it was never for school. Blogging was a fun way to express my thoughts and insights about myself. I think using a blog can be a useful tool because through blogging, I get to read in detail about my peer's ideas and thoughts. A concern I would have is being lazy or even forgetful of logging and checking the blog. I think I will enjoy reading fun facts and other current news about Microbiology. This way, I will be able to relate them in my life and for class.
ReplyDeleteI have blogged before for a different class. Keeping an academic blog is definitely helpful in finding connections between what you are learning in class with relevant news and information. It also provides a space to reflect on your own thoughts, see what your classmates think about these topics, and it works as a good way to review for the class. My biggest concern is probably trying to remember to periodically check the blog. It will be fun to see how microbiology relates to our lives on a daily basis. There is a lot of information out there and it will be nice to see a collection of it in one place.
ReplyDeleteI have never blogged before. This is the first time I blog for the class. I think this might be helpful to me. Even if it is my first time to blog, I like to do my tasks with computer. It is not going to be hard to adapt to the blog. Only concern is I may forget to check if the blog is updated. But I will like it, this is the fresh and cool learning method.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a blog when I was in high school. It was refreshing to get my thoughts on "paper" but at the same time since it was public, I still had to edit my words to keep it from being too personal. I think blogging might be helpful in that it is all on one website so it keeps the information easily accessible. However, it may be difficult to keep up with the blog. It can also be somewhat intimidating posting comments that everyone can read. That can also be a positive though, because you can receive feedback on your thoughts as well as read about completely different ideas.
ReplyDeleteHave you blogged before?
ReplyDeleteI have blogged before. I use to have a How.com account where I blogged, people responded, etc. I also have my own personal family related bloggs for just family members (almost like a caringbridge.org site).
How do you think it might be helpful?
If there were different forums. It might be easier to look up, such as: questions for the professor, questions for the class, questions for the exam/assignment/etc., and lab questions.
What is your biggest concern?
Too much information and not being able to wade through it post by post for the information that I want or am looking for.
What might be fun about blogging here?
Learning new topics in relation to microbiology. How to apply the concepts and more easily understand them.
Christina M/W
First off I would like to say I have never blogged before but it does seem similar to the Blackboard, discussion board. I do know with the discussion board it was helpful in the way of learning from others views and input. Briefly looking through some of the blogs I feel blogging would have the same benefits for me to. I think that the blogging will also be helpful in learning and expressing my own thoughts and comments. The biggest concern I have is time. With taking two courses that are full of information and trying to stay on task with all the assignments, test, quizzes, projects, etc., I worry that I will not be able to view the blogs regularly. What I do think would be fun and interesting is being able to interact with others from the course and learn new concepts, especially in a course like Microbiology I need all the extra help I can get Deborah K. M/W
ReplyDelete