The Blog Basics

The Blog Basics 

B.  In your own words, what is a Blog? 

I would define a blog as an online tool that helps people express themselves and share their interests and passions with others through the use of words, images, and videos. It is a way to reach people outside of your everyday life and is a more permanent way of sharing information than word of mouth like telling a friend what you thought of a new restaurant or showing a family member a picture of your niece and telling them a story about her. 

C.  Why/How is blogging a tool that may be useful for you as a future teacher?

I think blogging could be a useful tool as a future educator because I can use Pinterest to find cool and creative worksheets, games, classroom decorations, and activities that other teachers have done with their students for me to possibly use or get ideas from. Having a blog can also help you to give/receive advice about teaching, handling students, talking with parents, etc. You can also have a private blog with family and close friends as a support group to help you through tough times such as state testing season or the beginning of the year.  

D.  Locate and list two examples of educational blogs that are created by teachers, schools or educational organizations for teachers, students or parents.   What is the purpose of each, and why did you choose these?

1) Teachers Pay Teachers Blog:

The purpose is to create a place where educators can go to, to find resources and advice related to teaching that is organized by grade levels. I chose this because when I did my first field for EDCT 181, my cooperating teacher used it and recommended it to me. She had showed me the ideas and resources she had gotten from it. I loved what she found and got to check it out myself. I feel it is a fantastic resource for educators!

2)  Teach 4 the Heart: 

The purpose of this blog is to help Christian educators navigate a career within the public schools. A quote from their about page reads, “We’re here to give you the ideas and inspiration you need to overcome your teaching challenges & make a lasting difference in your students’ hearts and lives” (Kardamis, 3). I chose this blog first because the title caught my eye. One of my main goals as an educator is to be a teacher that shows love to all students and after finding the blog, I chose it because as a Christian I have thought a lot about whether or not I should go into the public schools or faith-based school. I went to public school, but as a future science teacher I have pondered how I can find a balance. I believe there are ways I can show love, patience, compassion, kindness, and forgiveness (the values of a Christian) as a compromise in a public school where I can’t openly talk about God the same way as one can in a faith-based school. I believe this blog is a great tool I can use to accomplish and balance these goals well.