Blogs as a Teaching Tool

I am currently enrolled in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I feel as if I have gained so much needed knowledge from the things I have experienced in this course. In EDM 310 we used the blogging system as a way to transfer our grades over to our professor. At first I did not see this as a useful tool but once I started my account and began blogging I really enjoyed it. I think that this is so helpful when it comes to staying in touch with your current teachers and students. In my personal opinion I believe that staying in touch with parents is so important. They need to feel that you care as much about them as you do their children.
Blogging in the classroom allows parents just as much access as a student would have, which really help them stay connected. Children are not always as honest as they should be when it comes to homework, tests or other assignments that may be coming due in their classes. A blogger account makes it easy for parents to log in check updates or important new and see what is expected from the student at that current period in time. The blog page should be current at all times because most teachers update their class blogs daily.
A class blog not only gives knowledge to the parents about assignments. I read online, in a previous EDM assignment I was working on, that many teachers post pictures of “special events”, such as a field trip, very frequently. This would be a real treat to a parent who was not able to attend the trip. Field trips are not the only “special event” that could turn into a perfect “Kodak moment”. They often post pictures of assemblies, parades, plays etc….
Blogging has worked out very well for me so far. When I have the freedom in my assignment and am able to state my opinion I can really get into the post and I feel as if it really reflects my personality. This is why I have definitely considered using a class blog when I start teaching. I think this will be a great way for me to receive proper feedback and serve as a Reflective writing and collaborative thinking tool not only for my students but for me as well.