Podcast: Troubleshooting the Sewing Machine

Podcast - Troubleshooting

Here is a few tips when dealing with machine problems.

Blog Comparison

I chose to compare Blogger, WordPress, and EduBlog. Really when looking at the different platforms it comes down to personal preferences and how the teacher would like to use it in the classroom.  A lot of the features are similar across the different platforms it depends more on what you like and the technical expertise you have to navigate and use the site to create your blogs.  The following websites both have comparison charts that break down key information to using different platforms.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/01/chart-comparison-of-educational.html#.U3dl7ShLqSo

http://blog-services-review.toptenreviews.com/

Blogger and Wordpress seem to be very similar in features that are available.  Word Press has a little more traffic and feedback features but between the two they have the same features as far as being able to have multiple authors, support apps, manage accounts, making the blog private, embedding 3^rd party media and unlimited themes. A disadvantage of blogger is that it owns your site so if you would like to turn your blog into your own domain name WordPress would be better to go with.  Also because of WordPress being an open source it is a little more difficult to those who are not programmers but it does allow for a lot more versatility when you do know because there are a large amount of plug-ins and other features that can be added. 

EduBlog has lots of advantages to use in a classroom setting such as managing multiple accounts and being able to have security settings to limit and allow students posts.  The downside is to really get these advantages you would want the pro account which cost money.  If you had the money and were going to use it as a main part of your teaching I would go with EduBlog but if it is not I would probably not recommend the cost and choose to go with one of the other free platforms.

Best Practices in Blogging

I think one important thing is to look at your district policies if you are using blogs in the classroom.  I know in my district blogs are blocked on the student network.  Because of this it is important to find resources and sites that they are still able to get to when participating or viewing a blog.  Safety and transparency is also to be considered when using a blog.  Below are some rules and guidelines that I will follow in my own classroom blog:

No pictures of students -Students work can be presented or a graphic image associated with a posting can be used.  I have students who’s parents have requested that there be no pictures of them taken in my classroom because of custody battles and other situations going on at home.  Students privacy is important so it is important to keep the actual students in my classroom anonymous.  
No personal information on the blog – because blogs are on the internet which is a public space it is important for personal information to not be available.  It is important to remember not to give out numbers or addresses that you do not want the world to know. Also only use the first name of classmates. 
Treat the blog as you would a classroom – speech should be appropriate.  It is important to read your posting to make sure that you are proud of the information being shared and you would still be proud in 10 years when it is still there.  No inappropriate or rude language is to be used.  Also communication should be as you would write in an English class and not texting a friend.  No bullying or comments that are disrespectful of other students.  Only constructive criticism may be used not attacking or criticizing in a way that is harmful.

 Here are some links to some great resources about rules and etiquette when blogging:

http://yongesonne.edublogs.org/2006/09/18/another-take-on-blogging-rules/

http://mathmusings.blogspot.com/2006/01/safe-blogging.html

http://pc20s.blogspot.com/2005/09/students-made-this.html

Educational Blogs

Blogs can help in so many ways to enhance a classroom whether by providing ideas and resources to teachers, sharing thoughts of a student or by allowing for a way to document what is happening in your classroom.  Below are two examples of the usefulness of blogs:

One I thought of when thinking about how teachers have used blogs was sharing resources with others.  At http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ Richard Byrne shares technology resources for teachers to use in the classroom.  The blog began when Richard was a teacher, he now gives workshops and presentations throughout the country about the resources he uses and shares on his blog.  I think that as teachers we have great insight that unless shared no one could benefit from it. 

In my own classroom, I love allowing my students to look for projects that they are interested in completing.  The best way for them to do this is to look at different blogs to find patterns and instructions for those they would like to complete.  Most that are put on blogs have good illustrated instructions as well as easier for my students sewing level. Just today my students found a few projects while looking on blogs: http://www.whileshenaps.com/tutorials/, http://www.favecrafts.com/blog/fc/7-best-diy-ideas-sew-throw-pillows/, http://www.trashtocouture.com/2012/10/diy-backpack.html