Educational Blogging

 Educational Blogging is used for educational purposes. Educational blogs are typically conducted by teachers, students, administrators, and researchers. Educational blogs are diverse and offer new outlooks for different topics within the education system throughout the world. Some of the benefits of educational blogging is that it promotes self-expression, exercises creativity, improves writing skills, and increases learning to a higher level. Some of the challenges of educational blogs is that they can become a distraction, students can become confused when not properly introduced, and there can be privacy and security issues. Educational blogging allows students to think critically which is needed for higher-level learning. 

 

In the blog post labeled, Standardized Testing and Non-native English Speakers by Audrey Blackburn, discusses the faults of  standardized testing and the impact it has on Dual Language learners. One idea that stood out to me was where Audrey mentioned that the name itself is at fault because students are not uniformed and not all students learn the same way. Another idea that stood out to me was that children with IEPs are still expected to take the same tests as all the other students. My question is how can we possibly score children with IEPs the same as other students. Audrey mentions that this is unfair and affects the results children will receive. It is not an adequate way of seeing what children know especially not children who are non-native speakers. Lastly, Audrey mentions her experience as a translator and how families were concerned because the vocabulary was not administered in their native language. She says this is an example of how uniformed tests are unfair and not reflective of what children know. 

Woman typing on a laptop,
with a phone laying next to her, 
and a piece of paper

In the blog post labeled, Standardized Testing by Saylor Johnson, discusses the pros and cons of standardized testing. One idea that stood out to me was that Saylor mentioned how anxious and overwhelmed she would become when having to take a test. Some students have a disadvantage going into take a test because they may just not be good test takers. Another idea that stood out to me was that standardized tests do not cover all aspects of learning for children; only what material they know. Lastly, Saylor mentioned how a lot of teachers are simply teaching for the test rather than helping the children truly understand material and teach in a developmentally appropriate way. Saylor sees the importance of standardized testing but she understands that from a students perspective it may be challenging. 

In the blog post labeled, Problems with Standardized Testing by Taylor Johnson, discusses how standardized tests can be bias. One idea that stood out to me was that standardized tests are so focused on the 4 pillars of reform that they do not notice the challenges of the tests. Another idea that stood out to me was that standardized tests are non-referenced which means each student is compared to their surrounding peers. Which creates biases around skin color, Dual Language learners, and children with IEPs. Lastly, he talks about how a lot of teachers simply teach for the test which takes valuable instruction time away.

I have not had a lot of experience when it comes to blogging but I think it is a great way to express yourself and think critically. From research I have discovered that there are many key learning skills that students can practice while creating blogs. Some of which are writing skills, cognitive skills, thinking critically, and allowing self-expression. I believe blogging in a classroom could be used as a great added source. Obviously, blogging is not school but it could encourage children and promote higher levels of learning. 

Whole Child Approach

The Whole Child Approach is thinking of children beyond academics in the classroom. All children have their own unique experiences mentally, physically, social-emotionally, cognitively, and academically. Everyone has their own unique identity. Teaching to the whole child means you get to know the children so that as a teacher you can create curriculum to fit each child's needs based on current and past experiences.  

Stick figure of a boy labeled 
Whole Child Education, Arrow 
pointed at head labeled cognitive,
Arrow pointed at arm labeled
social, Arrow pointed at smile
labeled emotional, Arrow pointed
at leg labeled physical 

In this blog, I will talk about the advantages of the whole child approach within a learning environment. The main goal of the whole child approach is to meet children where they are at. This approach develops build quality relationships between both student and teacher. In order to achieve this approach as a teacher you have to build relationships with your students and get to know them. This process only works if you truly understand the nature of each child. Children tend to be more open with those they trust and feel safe around. One of the advantages of the whole child approach is that it allows teachers to teach in a developmentally appropriate way. By knowing each child you can change the curriculum in order to better assist children who may struggle, just need extra guidance or need challenged. Another advantage of the whole child approach is that it fosters all areas of development. Children may need help self-regulating or expressing themselves. The whole child approach does not just focus on academics; it focuses on the long term benefits of children. It also allows children to learn life skills and qualities that can not be measured by a test. A third advantage is that it sets up the path for children to become happy, engaged, safe, and challenged adults. The whole child approach allows children to be productive in their own learning. This approach allows children to understand the world around them, build relationships, while also strengthening their academics in a developmentally appropriate way. 

Virtual Schooling

Virtual Schooling or otherwise known as online-schooling or distant learning is the use of technology to deliver instruction instead of going to school in-person. All schooling is presented online via the internet. Virtual learning gives students educational opportunities from the comfort of their homes. 

A young girl, sitting at a table,
sitting in front of a laptop,
holding instruments smiling

In this blog, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages that I have witnessed in Virtual Schooling. To begin, I believe that doing school in the comfort of your own home is a lot less stressful and more enjoyable. My first semester of college was right when COVID got  bad. All of my classes were virtual. I had a few self-paced classes that gave me a more flexible schedule.  To me, this was helpful, especially when starting my first semester of college. For me, it made college less of an adjustment and allowed me to ease my way in. I will say online classes require a high level of self-discipline. At the start of my online classes, I did not have self-discipline which made the adjustment harder.  After I had time to adjust and become self-aware, online classes felt like a breeze. While these classes connected me to people from all around the world, and allowed me to create my own schedule, and work at my own pace there were many disadvantages that came along with it. An example of one of these disadvantages was not having physical interactions with those in my classes and the loss of building relationships. My first time on campus was very nerve-racking because I did not know anyone. By having all my classes online, I had trouble finding places on campus and building connections with others. I also felt like online schooling did not teach me anything. After being in a classroom and listening to a professor I understood why face-to-face classes were important. You can ask questions, build relationships, and truly engage in the material. I feel like sometimes when you do school online you get lost in the movement instead of understanding and knowing the material. While online classes are a great alternative; I believe that you receive a better quality education from face-to-face classes. When you are in person you get to hear other people's opinions, build relationships, have conversations, and ask questions. That is what education is. Not just reading and completing assignments. 

Negatives of Standardized Testing

Standardized testing is used in the school system as a way to not only assess children's performance but to also see the effectiveness of the curriculum being used. A standardized test is usually multiple choice. There can also be true or false questions on standardized tests. This makes the test process fair and objective. During these tests every student receives the same questions, time limit, and environment. Time limits can vary if someone has a IEP and needs a longer amount of time or someone to read the test for them. 

(Male child sitting at a desk
 with his head down, holding a
 sign that reads "help" with
 books on one side and pencils
 on the other side.) 

In this blog, I will discuss how standardized tests are a flaw in the education system. To begin, I believe that standardized tests have unrealistic expectations for children. It is expected that everyone ate breakfast, is having a good day, and is prepared. This is not always the case. If a child wakes up late, does not get breakfast, and then gets yelled at, would they perform well on a test? Probably not. Standardized tests are very stressful for children. Some children work really well under pressure but others just completely choke. Standardized tests are not an effective way to measure a child's intelligence. It also does not give the teachers any feedback on how to help and assist the children in learning. Standardized testing is not an accurate display of what children know. Think of how many children cheat during standardized tests because they know how much it will impact them. Standardized tests do not value diversity within children. Every child gets the same amount of questions and the same exact questions. Testing does not take into account that some children are not proficient in English, the wide variety of cultural backgrounds, or learning styles. Standardized test are not what we need in the education system to predict how children are doing education wise. It is not beneficial or accurate.