International Class Blogs

The first site I found was for a group of year 5 and 6 students from New Zealand. Even though school os out for the year (it's their summer) there are still some interesting things on their blog. There is a link to their teacher blog as well as a link to the classes Novel Study blog. On the Novel Study blog there are many questions pertaining to the story, and then the students post comments to answer the questions. There is even a project done with another class 1000km away that could only be done through use of blogs and wikis. To access this blog click here


The second blog I found was based in Australia. The blog has different tabs for the subjects they use the blog for, one for the tasks they are required to carry out, and links they might need. It was made to help give parents more comunication access to their childrens class as well as help keep them involved in what their child does is school. The class seems to have an upbeat fun environment feel shown by the name of the blog as well as the goofy photos of the teacher and students. The school year has just started so not a lot is posted but it would be nice to refer to the blog in the future to see how they have progressed. To acess this blog click here

Class blogs throughout America

One class blog I found was Mrs. Myrmel's class at Bauer Elementary in Hudsonville, MI. It has class discussions of readings they have done in class including everyone's response. It also has descriptions of projects the class is doing as well as pictures. for instance the class has first grade writing partners that they had come and learn how to revise and make their stories better, the class has pictures of this event taking place. It has copies of the class newsletter for the parents to read. This blog  shows ex

periments and fun events the class has done. Another component I found helpful was the teacher first posted a blog containing information on what they were going to read in class, and later followed it up by posting the students responses to the story.

To see this blog for yourself click the following link: What's Happening in Room 8

I found Mr. C's Class Blog to be very proficient. It follows a 5th grade class in Noel, MO. This blog is very well constructed and not only shows information pertaining to the class, but throughout the entire school such as who made A honor roll, and clips from recent basketball games played by the students of the school. This blog also finds a way to connect the students to other cultures, by communicating to a class based in Australia as both read the same book. It has school clubs linked and even featured in posts that aid in getting more involved in extra curricular activities as well as making the students more aware of all the th

ings they can participate in. It has class projects incorporated and displayed on the blog along with links to specific subject blogs that the students use to discuss issues they learned about in class. This blog also had a very unique component; a live stream of class. One can click play and watch the class as the students learn. I think this blog is very educational in showing other teachers different methods that work and out-showed all the other blogs I have seen.

To view this blog click on the following link: Mr. C's Class Blog

I think these blogs help other teachers learn about what other classes throughout the country do, help the parents see some of the things their children are doing and helps them stay involved, and also helps encourage the students to love learning and work hard so they can show off what all they have accomplished via the class blog. I enjoyed viewing the blogs and will probably refer to them in the future in my own research to be the best teacher I can be.

Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, & Students Statewide

ACCESS is an online learning program designed to give students equal opportunities throughout the state of Alabama. All schools are required to offer advanced diplomas for their students. ACCESS gives students the ability to take advanced classes required for this diploma no matter what school they attend.It also offers other courses and electives not offered at all schools. ACCESS has web-based learning and also uses videoconferencing. Video Conferencing offers the students the ability to see the teacher and interact with him/her along with other students from different schools.

With ACCESS students have more responsibility for their own education. Students take the course at school during regular hours. It also offers lab simulations that the student can use multiple times, changing the variables and getting different outcomes, in a relatively short time frame. It also allows students to work at their own pace. Different learning styles are supported through ACCESS improving the students learning. I believe this a vital tool in educational equality, the only pitfall is that not everyone knows about it and therefore does not have access to it.