Week 2 we have learned/are still learning the importance of a blog in a classroom. Not only how it is an important tool that can be used in many ways, but also how to set up our own. I feel very comfortable with the blogging world, because this is probably the 4th one I have been assigned to create. While looking through the assigned readings, the article that stood out to me the most was Journal on two different high school teachers and their use of blogs. Here is a link to it, for anyone who isn’t a student at University of Wisconsin-Stout. http://thenjournal.org/feature/175/
While reading, I was really inspired to find a way to incorporate this into an elementary art classroom. My students have limited access to computers, so it would be a little challenging. Most of my students do not have Internet access at home. By the end of this summer semester, I feel/hope that I will have a better understanding of different tools and strategies to do so!
I was also very inspired by this TED talk (and just about every other one I have seen). It is definitely worth the watch!!
Assessment in E Learning 
powerspatricia
Computer and internet accessibility are issues we often forget when dreaming of all of the potential uses of technology in teaching. Though our school is pushing the teachers to update our use of technology, they haven’t provided enough computers or a strong enough internet system. When using the set of department laptops, for example, we know that some will take up to 20 minutes to get online, others will reject student passwords for no known reasons, and still others won’t run at all. I also hesitate to assign online homework. Some students have told me they don’t have internet access at home. If you suggest going to the public library, the answer is, “I can’t. I have to watch my baby sister.” Other students who don’t have a computer at home might prefer to just skip the assignment instead of going through the embarrassing step of telling the teacher their family doesn’t have that luxury. It’s also hard to be sure when a student says “our computer broke down and erased my paper.” If we’re really going to move forward with technology–and I don’t see any other choice–we’re going to have to put some money into it.
Datta Kaur
Kristen, it seems that you see a future use for blogging with your students. What if you posted painting done by your students and labeled them with initials? You could then project the blog so that all students could see their work, tell their parents, even if there is no computer access at home. ~ Datta Kaur
Datta Kaur
Elizabeth, so sorry for the name error. Just viewed Kristen’s blog before yours, but certainly know the difference between the two:). ~ Datta Kaur