Set Up Your Blog!

Blog Due:  Friday, September 14

Set up your own blog by visiting blogger.com.  Blogger is part of your Google account.
To log in, use your Gmail user name and password.  Then select "Blog."
Set up a template that is professional for this class and easy to read.  Show your page to Mrs. Kallas before finalizing.

Bookmark your blog on your computer.
Record your log in, user name, and password in your "secret" folder.

Create a greeting for your blog.  It should welcome readers and indicate what your blog is about.  Of course, your blog is designed to comment on issues and topics that are current in the field of education. It is designed for you to think critically and respond intelligently to hot topics.  Your greeting post does not have to include media, but think about how you can use formatting and pictures to make it interesting.

HAPPY BLOGGING!

Welcome to Blogging in BCTAL 901!

This is the Education and Training blog for Classroom 901 at BCTAL.  All prompts will be found on this blog. It is your responsibility to check this blog regularly so that you can meet all deadlines. 

POSTING:
You will create your own blog.  This is where you will POST a response to my prompt on your blog.  Here are some quick guidelines on how to make a good POST.  Expert blogger, Darren Rowse, offers ten tips that will help you become an expert blogger.
Ten Tips for Writing a Blog Post


COMMENTING:
Other times I will ask for a COMMENT.  You will comment directly on my blog.  A comment is exactly what the name implies.  It is short and to the point.  It gives your opinion in a short amount of words.  In many cases, it may be a sentence or less. 

GUIDELINES:
All posts and comments must be concise, contain meaningful content, avoid the use of inappropriate language or content, and make attempts to use proper writing mechanics - grammar, spelling, capitalization and punctuation.  

• Year I Interns will need to include two sources of media.  
• Year II Interns will need to include three sources of media.

All interns will need to cite the reference material on which they are commenting.

Here is the rubric showing how you will be assessed.

Criteria	Points	Score
Quality of Writing Interesting style and voice Informative and reflective Organized	10
Writing Mechanics Grammar Punctuation Spelling Capitalization	15 1- for each error
Presentation Formatting Font Background Title	5
Multimedia (1 should cite reference; 1 should link to original article if possible) Yr II - 3 sources, Yr 1 - 2 sources Multimedia enhances post Adds perspective	10
Deadlines – Blog is posted by deadline (no late grades).  Blogs due on Friday of week assigned.	10
TOTAL	50

Blog Due May 11

Title:  My Year as an Intern

Read the poem, Roller Coaster.  As you read, reflect on this past year as an intern in the Education and Training program.  What have been some of your ups and downs at your field site?

The author refers to nausea.  What was yours?

The author refers to elation in the next to last stanza.  What was your elation this year?

Near the end, the author refers to being "forever committed." How have your experiences shaped your decision to become a teacher or not?  Describe experiences from the year that confirmed your decision.  What have you learned from your mentor, through his/her actions or advice, that you will carry with you?

If you could change anything about your actions, performance, participation, etc. at your field site classroom, what would it be?  How would you have done it differently?

(Remember to attach at least 2 different types of media examples to your post:  graphics, video, link, etc.  Make sure to cite the source(s) which you are referencing.)

Blog Due March 23

Title:  High School Teacher Creates New Educational App


Read this:  Article from eClassroom News

Describe how the app, eNotebook, that Kevin Giffhorn developed, could be useful to a student.  Think about it's usefulness for elementary, middle and high school and college.  How could you find it useful?

Watch this video showing how quickly you can create an app.

Have you ever thought about developing an app for your phone, tablet or computer?   How about one for the classroom?  What would it do?  How would it be beneficial to the user?

Blog Post Due on March 9

Year I Interns - Title:  The Ron Clark Story

Identify three rules that you feel were the most important in Ron Clark's classroom management.  Discuss why.  Create two rules of your own that you will include on the list of rules for your future classroom.





Year II Interns - Title:  Beyond the Blackboard

Identify two of the biggest problems Stacey Bess encountered as a teacher at the homeless shelter.  Not knowing what your future as a teacher holds, speculate on what some of the obstacles (at least two) might be in your future teaching position.  Be sure to identify the grade level/content area if that is relevant in your response.

Blog Post Due on March 2

Title:  The Advantages of Technology in the Classroom

Read the e-article:  The Advantages of Technology in the Classroom

The author, Eric Schriener, outlines five ways that using technology in the classroom helps students become prepared for the real world.

• List the five ways highlighted in this article. 
• Identify the way(s), identified by Schriener, that have been most helpful in preparing you for life after high school and why.  
• List another advantage of using technology in the classroom not outlined in the article that would help prepare students for the real world.  Be sure that you are not restating one of the five listed.

  

Complete Your Blog Evaluation by Feb 24

Friday, February 24 is the end of the six week grading period.  Did you fall behind in your blogging?  Uh oh!  Use this week to catch up and get your blog in order.  Complete the blog evaluation sheet and turn in by Friday for a major grade!