Keyboarding Meets Web 2.0
For me, keyboarding class conjures up thoughts of typing monotonous sentences (The quick white fuzzy dog is fearful of jumping over the great box) over and over. But that isn’t the case when a teacher embraces web 2.0 tools! Kate teaches “keyboarding” in La Crosse. She recently began exploring blogs and social networking. Her students practice their typing skills in a variety of ways….including blogging. She encourages her students to read good blog posts as a way to improve their ability to share their thoughts. She also has them reflect and comment on her class. Check out her blog!
January 19th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Wow, thanks for the plug! We use our class blog as a place to practice typing, reading, reflection, and technology skills. The students have also created some blogs, an example of which is at http://6gradew.learnerblogs.org. As you can see there, the kids are way more interested in polling their readers than reflecting, but we’re working on it. And actually, though, who am I to tell them how to blog? It’s an evolving form of communication and I guess I should let them make of it what they wish. Hmmm, something to ponder. A group of teachers and I are finalizing a blog for elementary students right now - it will include contributors from several different states and countries and will be open to any teacher/class for commenting.
If anyone is interested in this project or would like some help getting started with edublogs and blogging with younger students, feel free to email me at kolson29@gmail.com
Kate Olson