The Next Big Thing In the Classroom...Technology

I know, I know, technology in the classroom really?  It's not anything new, but in ways it is.  Some people see technology in the classrooms with handheld gadgets, projectors, lots of computers, and all the latest bells and whistles.  In a perfect world this might be, but I live no where near a "perfect world."  Using technology in the classroom doesn't have to be as daunting as you might think.  

When you were younger, did you have a diary with a lock and key?  What about a trapper keeper or a notebook you kept daily logs in?  Now kids use social networking such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share their thoughts and ideas.  Kids feel the need to have hands on interaction and to be constantly engaged.   What better way to achieve this than by incorporating technology into the classroom.   A simple way to do this is blogging.

Blogging can be very beneficial for you and students.  Who wouldn't want to write a review on a book and receive immediate feedback from their peers or teacher?  Blogging can create a sense of "family"  between students.  They can reply to one another's post and create dialogue that might otherwise be non-existent.  What about the fact that you can keep the posts for the span of the school year and go back to the beginning to see how the student's work has improved?  A complete student portfolio in one spot, created completely by the student...NICE!! Blogging is a simple way to incorporate technology into your teaching.