In the end - I've warmed up to blogging in the classroom!

I have to admit that I wasn't pro-blogging in the classroom when they were first introduced to me. Even after creating my own blog site, I still wasn't convinced of their usefulness in the classroom. Worried that I was missing what others were seeing, I did some further exploration on my own. I found a couple internet sites that gave examples of how teachers use blogging. To my surprise, I loved some of the uses that other teachers posted. (Yes, I am aware of the irony that I used other teachers' blog posts as a helpful resource site even though I didn't think blogs were valuable!) Anyway, I loved some of their uses and would like to incorporate them into my classroom as a future educator.
One of my favorite ideas was from http://supportblogging.com/Educational+Blogging.
Here's what it said: "Teachers will often start a blog for providing communication to students, parents, or other teachers. Sometimes this is just the posting of homework or other assignments in one easy-to-find location. Other times this can be a richer description of the things taking place in the classroom, specifically drawing the parents into what their children are working on, or for students who have been absent. This type of blog can also take advantage of the comment feature for students and parents to ask questions or for clarification, where the answer would be of interest to all the readers." What a great idea to help keep the parents informed and connected to each other as well as their child's education experience.
Another great website I explored was http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47.
It gives a good outline on the educational benefits of blogs, ideas for using blogs in the classroom, blog risks to consider, and steps for getting students started with blogs.
If you are unsure of the use of blogging in the classroom, I suggest you check out these websites. It opened my eyes to the potential of this technology and maybe just maybe it will do the same for you.

How To Use Powerpoint Effectively in a Classroom

Hi everyone. Since I've been fiddling this week with powerpoint, I thought maybe we could share how you or an instructor has used powerpoint effectively in a classroom. Let's face it, we've probably all seen a powerpoint presentation that was boring or the slides were being switched at lightning speeds. On the flip side, we all have seen them being used at their maximum potential.
One of the ways I like to use powerpoint is for review. I downloaded a powerpoint template for a jeopardy game and used it as an in class review session before an exam. The students loved it. Here is a link to that website if you would like to download that game: http://www.jmu.edu/madison/teacher/jeopardy/jeopardy.htm.
There are other templates for games and activities that can be used with powerpoint on the web. You can set up a powerpoint presentation to play Hollywood Squares or my favorite Who Wants to be a Millionaire. There are some great powerpoint games to use as math lessons and/or practice.
Please share with me how you have used or have seen a successful powerpoint presentation.
Thanks.