Blog Assignment #3

A) In Pat Hensley’s blog (http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com/) she often posts a “useful information in and out of the classroom” entry from time to time. I think this would be useful for both students and parents because it provides resources for each to do activities and learn new skills together.  She provides links to good resources and then gives a one sentence descriptor of what each is all about, so it’s easy to follow. Also, if the site is provided to both students and parents, each can check up on the website to see assignment updates, news, classroom progress, etc. each week if the blog is kept up to date. So, it is a good communication device for both parties.

B) When it comes to students with special needs communication is really key. So, having a blog and being able to post information about assignments, what’s coming up, and what’s going on in the classroom could be useful. But, this could also provide opportunities to post links and interactive assignments students can do as homework or just outside of class which can help them in class. Having opportunities for group discussion with projects outside of class could be a way they can express themselves and feel confident doing so as well. Perhaps each student could have their own blog and post about their progress, understandings, and confusions about class work and projects each week. By doing this, I can know what I need to work on to get my students to succeed without pointing out any particular student and having him/her feel insecure.  

C) I can’t say I’ve learned a whole lot through the blog since last week, I did know how to incorporate blogs in the classroom (it’s almost like blackboard). But Pat Hensley did write a new entry about Autism that had a lot of good tips about reducing anxiety and improving social skills. You can implement a peer buddy system to help with social interaction in the classroom (this could also be useful for other students who may feel more comfortable working in a team or having a partner to work together on an assignment or help each other on their own if needed) and also making organization important – like having a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule, staying consistent, and having an organized, clean environment. This is also useful for other students too (so they know what’s going on and what they are expected to do).