As this is my first time using, reading, and creating a blog, I am not sure how I feel about it. So far, it seems to be a creative outlet for easy writing and expression. It was easy to set up and easy to post to however I am not sure I have anything important or productive to say...and if I did, who would want to read it? I am excited to venture into this uncharted use of technology and see where it will go.

Blogs would be useful for education as a relevant way for students and teachers to communicate with one another. Students can also discuss topics with other students, post questions, and debate each other's comments. Blogs can be a voice for groups in education trying to pass a bill through the school board, generate excitement for a sporting evernt at the school, or compile ideas for a charity event or dance at the school.

I think anything that provides students access and experience with current technology can be beneficial to the students. People who are against this idea seem to be stuck in the stone ages and unwilling to progress with the generation who will lead them next. Blogs can be important also for accelerating the student's knowledge of computers and their own capabilities as future college students and job seekers.

From the text, I liked the idea of a Knowledge Forum (Jonassen, 101). This type of blog can give the students a forum to discuss and exchange ideas about the current topic of study. The students can respond and comment for a grade and are expected to contribute to the discussion. It can be a useful way to motivate the students as they may be more apt to be on the computer already as compared to pulling out pencil and paper. An ongoing discussion also prompts more ideas as tangents to the original idea instead of the student drawing a blank when made to start a topic on their own. I also liked the idea of globally communicating using computer technologies available through blogging (Jonassen, 100). Students could profit greatly with a multi-cultural network of other students, all commenting from different countries and new perspectives. This could be a positive influence in tolerance and understanding between cultures. Finally, the obvious use of educational websites such as www.Discovery.com, or www.webster.com are a very valuable resource for research, clarification, definition, or images (Jonassen, 112).