1. The Benefits of Technology Inside and Outside of the Classroom

2. Blogs Social Networks Podcasts Conclusion Bibliography Contents

3. How to set up a Blog in your Classroom Helena Echlin There are numerous ways to utilize a blog for a classroom. Classroom Management Online Notebook Class Discussion Personal Expression There are also many different sites that can be used for blogging Blogger (www.blogger.com/) WordPress(wordpress.com/) Blog*Spot (www.blogspot.com/) Blog Catalog www.blogcatalog.com/)

4. There are many critical concepts to keep in mind while making a classroom blog. The blog will be public so it is necessary that proper etiquette is used. It is important that the students only use first names on all published and public posts on a blog site. A teacher must make sure that the students blog posts are related to class and that they have significance in the classroom. Blogs

5. “If your classroom blog is publicly accessible, make sure students use first names only and do not provide personal identifying details. You will also have to set clear guidelines on what is appropriate regarding content and comments.” Blogs would be a great way for students to learn, a great way to submit homework, and a good way to post progress and grades if done the correct way. When posting opinions and comments on a blog for everyone to see it can be dangerous. The kids must understand that there is no judgment to be made against any student for their comments. It could also be subject students to ridicule and embarrassment. Without a certain level of control and maturity on the teacher and students part there is a good possibility that a blog could be a bad thing to introduce into a classroom. Blogs

6. School and Online Social Networking – Nancy Willard Should schools be able to block social networking? Just as pornography threatened schools when they became equipped with the internet, there should be a filter on computers not allowing access to these sites. Some students might post negative remarks about other students and hurt the school environment. There must be a complete and comprehensive approach to internet access in schools. Dangers and concerns of social networking. Many teens are making poor decisions and are attracted to these sites . There are many parents who are not involved in their kids life and do not pay attention to what they do on the internet. The world is full of perverted sexual predators and social networks are a prime place for them to find their prey.

7. Social networking does have advantages and is not completely negative. These sites are great ways to form friendships and gives people the ability to express themselves. If used safely kids are able to form social communities and have access to people and information from people all over the world. “Youth "play time" in such environments can build skills that will be a foundation for career success in the 21st century. “ Social Networking

8. Out side of school these sites can be very helpful to students. These sites provide communities that kids can use to bounce ideas off of each other. Children are also able to form friendships with people they may not normally be friends with. Though there are beneficial purposes to social networking, there is a time and a place. MySpace, Facebook, and other sites should be banned at schools. There are too many negative affects that can come from using these sites at school that will leave the school liable. Social Networking

9. Using Podcasting in the Classroom Ways to incorporate podcasting with learning. Not only do podcasts allow children to learn at their speed, they don’t even need to be in the classroom to access the lessons. Teachers can assign a podcast to watch for homework and have a discussion the day after. There are podcasts from all over the world that are accessible at the touch of a button. Benefits of Podcasting Having work published and seen by others is a great way to influence kids to do their best work. Kids are able to see and hear information from experts without leaving home or the classroom.

10. Students are able to plan and create their own podcasts. Any assignment and any learning can be increased with the use of podcasts. There are websites that can walk students through the process of creating their own podcast or how to access certain podcasts. Podcasts

11. “Making their work public motivates students to do their best work–their most creative, planned, and precise work.” Students can be very critical of each other and when there work is on display it will cause them to put forth much more effort. Podcasts

12. Through interactive tools on the internet such as blogging, social networking, and podcasts students are now exposed to a different, more wide open learning world than any other generation has been exposed to. With new innovations comes new responsibilities. If these tools are abused they could be very harmful and must be monitored more closely than ever. Children now have a better chance for success than any of us ever had. Technologies will continue to grow and we must grow with it in order to keep up with the times. Conclusion

13. Scragg, Sandy. (2008). Using Podcasts in the classroom http://edtechie.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/by-sandy-scragg/ Echlin, Helena. (2007). How to set up a blog in Your Classroom. http://www.edutopia.org/digital-discussion-take-your-class-to-internet Willard, Nancy. (2006). Schools and online Social Networking. http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues423.shtml Bibliography