Back a few years ago, I began blogging as a requirement for receiving a grant. I was to blog about what I was doing in my classroom and how we were using the iPads I received. Over the years, I came to really enjoy blogging. I refocused my blog to be about spiritual lessons I learned that could be applied to the classroom. Every now and then, I post a blog about a cool project we did in my class. For the past 5 weeks, I have been in a master's class that required me to blog each week. At first, I thought the blog had to be over what I learned (apparently, I didn't read the project guidelines carefully enough-oops). I soon learned I could blog about whatever I wanted. I chose to continue using my regular blog and blog like I normally do.
I know I posted something about this on my Facebook with the first blog I posted for class, but since I'm required to do a "Blogging Reflection" I thought I'd share my thoughts in a full out blog post!
Even though I got to blog about whatever I wanted, blogging because I had to, changed my motivation and robbed me of the joy blogging once had. As I thought about this and struggled with the blogging for the past few weeks, I thought about conversations I had with high school students about using technology in the classroom. These students shared they did not like using the technology for school work. These students loved using technology to connect with their friends. They Snapchat, Tweet, Instagram and now Periscope! (Yes...I used all of those as verbs) But some students detest when teachers use the technology for projects. What I gathered from the students I talked with was they want to keep their "fun & personal" life away from school. I never understood until this summer. I want to keep my personal blogging away from my school life! I enjoy blogging with no strings attached (and most definitely not a grade attached).
As I ponder this, I am at a loss for connecting learning to students and applying personal loves to the classroom. I want learning to be meaningful but never, do I want to rob them of the joy they find in an activity. One thought I had was, students in elementary school find more joy in using personal activities in the classroom (such as Minecraft). Maybe when the activity benefits their personal gains, it isn't as much of a downer. It could just be high school students and older. I write this post, looking for thoughts from other educators. I have no answers. I am about to take Minecraft (something my students love) and use it for educational purposes. Is this a good idea? Do you experience kids engaging more with personal activities or withdrawing? How can we use their likes and interests to engage rather than detour? HELP!?!?
Just so you know...I will continue blogging after this class is over. I might take a few week break, but that is not new!! I have not been detoured from blogging completely! I enjoy sharing my thoughts with anyone who will listen (whether the audience is 20 readers or 210 readers).
No comments:
Post a Comment