I have always loved technology, especially when it has added to my teaching. My latest exploration into the world of technology is "BLOGGING". I have been researching the benefits of blogging as well as the nuts and bolts of how to blog. I have been reading other educators' blogs. I have been writing posts in my head. Now it's time to "Just Blog It". So here goes...
Why you may ask do I want to blog? There are many reasons why I have decided to write my own personal blog. Firstly, I have always believed that the child, the parents and the teacher form a triangle and without good communication that triangle collapses. I teach boys and I know that when a parent asks their son, "How was school today?" the answer is usually, "Fine". The follow up question, "What did you do at school today?" usually elicits a, "Nothing!" response. So if we rely on the boys to communicate, parents may never know anything. A blog solves this dilemma as now parents can ask specific questions about what has been done at school where a, "Fine" or "Nothing" response cannot be used.
Secondly, education has changed and is changing on a daily basis. Most parents were educated in a traditional pen and paper manner of instruction. Even if parents use technology in their present jobs, they weren't exposed to it at school and as such often have no idea what is going on in the new technology based classroom. My aim will be to help parents understand what is going on in the classroom and more importantly how they can assist and enjoy the experience together with their children.
Thirdly, our lives are so busy. My husband receives an average of 80 to 160 new emails every day, sometimes more. Nobody has time to read all their emails and the last thing parents need is another email from their son's teacher. A blog gives parents the choice to visit the blog and decide whether they want to read a post or not. Of course, I would love you all to subscribe to my blog but please do not feel obligated to subscribe. If you do subscribe I recommend that you create a "To Learn Twice" folder in your inbox with a rule that all notifications are sent to that folder. In this way "To Learn Twice" emails will not clutter up your inbox and when you have time (ha ha) you can open the folder and choose which post you would like to read. If you do subscribe you will have the opportunity to comment on the posts that are published. If I do publish anything that I would like all parents to read and possibly respond to, I will email that post to all parents from my St Peter's Boys Prep email address.
Lastly, I have decided to blog for a my own personal growth. The name of my blog comes from one of my favourite educational quotes by a French moralist and essayist, Joseph Joubert (1754 - 1824).
I believe that as a teacher I learn just as much from my boys each day as they learn from me. An integral part of being open to this learning involves reflection and this blog will give me the opportunity to reflect on my own teaching practice.
I look forward to reading your comments and hearing your feedback. Here's to learning twice.
Secondly, education has changed and is changing on a daily basis. Most parents were educated in a traditional pen and paper manner of instruction. Even if parents use technology in their present jobs, they weren't exposed to it at school and as such often have no idea what is going on in the new technology based classroom. My aim will be to help parents understand what is going on in the classroom and more importantly how they can assist and enjoy the experience together with their children.
Thirdly, our lives are so busy. My husband receives an average of 80 to 160 new emails every day, sometimes more. Nobody has time to read all their emails and the last thing parents need is another email from their son's teacher. A blog gives parents the choice to visit the blog and decide whether they want to read a post or not. Of course, I would love you all to subscribe to my blog but please do not feel obligated to subscribe. If you do subscribe I recommend that you create a "To Learn Twice" folder in your inbox with a rule that all notifications are sent to that folder. In this way "To Learn Twice" emails will not clutter up your inbox and when you have time (ha ha) you can open the folder and choose which post you would like to read. If you do subscribe you will have the opportunity to comment on the posts that are published. If I do publish anything that I would like all parents to read and possibly respond to, I will email that post to all parents from my St Peter's Boys Prep email address.
Lastly, I have decided to blog for a my own personal growth. The name of my blog comes from one of my favourite educational quotes by a French moralist and essayist, Joseph Joubert (1754 - 1824).
I believe that as a teacher I learn just as much from my boys each day as they learn from me. An integral part of being open to this learning involves reflection and this blog will give me the opportunity to reflect on my own teaching practice.
I look forward to reading your comments and hearing your feedback. Here's to learning twice.
Awesome Nicole, you have been wanting to do this so long. Let the passion continue. You are the BEST teacher..........
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