8/17/09

Fog in the Blogosphere

Maybe I took the blog entry on brevity too seriously, but I really do feel like the title of this post says it all. I also read posts on homework, ducks, and plastic bags. Homework, and ducks, and plastic -- oh my! Where are the language references? How do I apply what I'm reading to my French and Spanish classroom? I don't want to make a blog that simply asks students to answer writing prompts in the target language. Perhaps a culture blog? Perhaps a blog with video? Perhaps a blog with speaking practice? Is this even possible?

Right before being asked to post our first blog entry, Connie made a wonderful suggestion for me to Google search "foreign language:blogs" and voila, an amazing list of options appeared before me! I am very eager to start reading some of these in hopes that the "blog fog" will clear! Don't get me wrong--I am fond of ducks and don't use plastic bags, but I'm looking forward to finding blogs that are more content specific so that I can get these creative juices flowing!

7 comments:

  1. I understand your feelings about making it relevant. I think that once we get to that point-maybe reading others blogs that apply-then it will spark ideas about how we can make good use of the technology.

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  2. As I read your blog, Andee, I think about what Debbie said about being a "blog consumer" versus being a "blog producer," using blogs to get information instead of as a tool to interact with students.

    I think the consumer part is more familiar and easy-what I tend to do the most with the internet. Taking blogs into the classroom, being a producer of them, is kind of scary to me. I am afraid I will start something that I won't be able to keep up with....

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  3. Keeping up is certainly an "off-putting" thought. We need to just keep telling ourselves baby steps baby steps...and putting things within our contexts and not thinking too big yet. There are a lot of neat things to come in class; some will be more relevant than others...hopefully! :)

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  4. Deveres, patos, y plastico - dios mio!
    Making it relevant and valuable to the students is the key. I can set up a blog for my level 3s and 4s who have the tools to be successful using this tech. But what of my lower levels ie: middle school. I want to focus on speaking/comprehension yet how do I do this in a writing based medium? Can we record conversations based on a speaking prompt? No se...
    Hablamos mas luego!

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  5. Andee,
    Finding some examples of blogs for beginning foreign language classes will help clarify how to use this tool in your class. And, brainstorming with Henry will be a help, too. Perhaps blogs won't be a good "fit" for you. But, you can link videos, audio, and photos to a blog. So, don't give up too readily.
    Your colleagues comments were good ones.
    Thanks for being in the class and helping make the first day a successful one. At least there was air-conditioning!

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  6. The above comment was from me, Andee. I created Kathy's google account yesterday, and did not sign myself back in!

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  7. Here is that link to the Spanish culture site
    http://www.colby.edu/~bknelson/SLC/index.php

    It look good but takes time to look through.
    Buena suerte

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