Teddy Bears Go Blogging

     I enjoyed the "Teddy Bears Go Blogging" article and believe that the idea behind the project can be very beneficial to students and educators involved. Not only does the project give students the ability to communicate with new people from other parts of the world and learn about new cultures, but it also teaches them how to use new means of communication that they may possibly want to continue using in the future. Blogging is easy to use, but still a great tool to understand and now about for future learning. This project might spark some creative abilities in students who may decide to continue writing and realize that they really enjoy it. Let's not forget that this is still a school project, and any new idea that gets students excited about learning and being in school should be encouraged!

     I liked the fact that students were given the opportunity to use the blogging project independently and also in small groups together. The teacher had the ability to monitor what the students were writing and the option to post or reject their comments, but very indirectly. Students were writing the posts and comments by themselves, sharing their own ideas with each other without the pressure of pleasing the teacher. This also allows students to be more honest in their posts and have the opportunity to come up with and stick to their own original ideas, rather than what their teachers may have hinted at them or what they think their teachers want to hear.

     Finally, as the article points out, the project focuses on communication rather than technology. Students are given the opportunity to communicate with new friends that they would have otherwise never meet (probably), and also improve their writing and communication skills. However, this project is also giving them a lesson in technology and providing them skills that they can use in the future.