McClain for Irlen

I am finally taking the plunge and creating a workable blog site for my class. I guess it just takes actually getting on and writing a post, creating pages, etc. Thanks to the many examples of successful teachers and bloggers providing me access to their sites. It really gave me some great ideas, so sorry if I borrowed some of your layout ideas. I hope to keep improving a little each day and that you can share your ideas with me, and that I can begin to share ideas with you. I am trying, I just feel so far behind! Hopefully you will be able to learn from my mistakes and also my future successes!

I am looking at my last post and I realize that it has been one year since I started the process of blogging. I have not been too successful up to this point. I don’t know if I am scared to just jump in, or what. Maybe I am just afraid that I won’t be able to keep up with everything, and I want it to be perfect. What is the secret to making a classroom blog a success? Does anyone have a suggestion? I have some great ideas for what I want, I just don’t know where to begin!! HELP!!!!!

One problem I have with trying to start a new program is in staying focused! I always start out looking for something small, and then before I know it I have walked through another window into a new world full of even more new tools. How do you ever get going and stay focused. I started out looking for information on using technology to improve literacy, which took me to eBooks, awesome text-to-speech software for pc’s only, digital storytelling, podcasting, wikis, blogging, SmartBoards, webquests, voice threads….Need I really continue? It is all fantastic, and I wish I could use all of it effectively today. I need to follow the advice and direction of mshanson who writes down goals and how they will accomplish them.

Okay, but I don’t have just one problem; I see so many awesome reasons to use all of the tools and am so excited by what I see that I want it all right now! It is a fast food attitude, isn’t it!

Here is a question I have: does anyone just start with one thing, or do you just dive right in and add it all?

I see a lot of people talking about blogs and wikis, and I can see some differences in each. But, what I really want to know is when do you use which one? I want students to respond to blog posts that relate to different areas of study, especially with literacy. I am starting my thesis on blogging and literacy. However, I see people who have used wikis to have students create on online “textbook” of what they learned all year in science class. HELP!!!! Everything seems to be running together in my mind and I cant separate it. Is there a good article that will help me out? I sure would appreciate some advice!

I am finally starting this new tool of blogging after researching it for over a year. I think the hardest part is just getting started and going with it. I see so many advantages to communicating with other teachers and students in this age of new digital literacy, but I am afraid to start because I know I am far from perfect and that there is so much more for me to learn. I guess, though, that the only way to get through and succeed is to jump in with all ten fingers and start typing. So, if you happen upon this blog and think “WOW, this person needs help!”, then you are absolutely correct.

Any thoughts or suggestions you have on using blogs and wikis in the classroom would sure be appreciated!