Sec. 4.6: Instructional Strategies/Blogs Reflection

* What instructional strategies would fit well with using blogs in the classroom? Why?
I would have to say that the most effective ways to use a blog through the use of instructional strategies would include the use of inductive, deductive, and scaffolding strategies.

For the inductive strategy, the teacher would post examples of the rule and the students could respond with their answer (the rule.) It would be important to screen these answers so they are not immediately posted to the blog for other classmates to see. This is fairly simplistic and could be done without a blog, however, it would be a good fast way to receive feedback on a given topic.

On the reverse end, to use the deductive strategy the teacher could post the rule and then ask students to share examples. I think this is the more effective of the two in this case (inductive vs. deductive) because it requires them to think creatively and apply their knowledge. For this strategy, I would actually let the students view other classmate responses because this might spark more creativity for other students.

Ideally, it would be great to use scaffolding by incorporating the inductive strategy and then moving up to the deductive for more critical thinking. For example, in my Interior Design class I could teach about universal design and then post something about the importance/benefits of this. Next, I could ask students to respond with examples and potentially provide links to images that represent this. In addition, I could have students provide poor examples of universal design and then explain what could be done to change the current situation and make it better.

* What instructional strategies would not fit well with using blogs in the classroom? Why?
I personally think that the use simulation could be better done with a WebQuest or possibly some other method. I think that a simulation is rather thorough, so to do a complete simulation might be too much.

* How could you see Blogs being used in your classroom with your subject matter?
I think the most beneficial way blogs could be used in my classes would be for reflective/journal purposes. In Human Relations, the students write a lot of reflections on topics such as Grief/Loss, Divorce, Relationships, Communicating, Values, etc. A blog would be a perfect way for the students to post their thoughts and to interact with others.