I visited a few blogs about education this week and will compare three of them that I found interesting and worthwhile. Blogs can be great resources for sharing ideas and connecting people. They can also be tired and limited and filled with things that only the author finds interesting. (I may have a blog that fits that latter category). The blogs I read this week were certainly in the former category. They are filled with useful information for anyone involved in education or teaching of any kind. The first is a blog by David Jakes that archives his presentation resources. The next is a blog by Roger Schank about technology and education and a dash of outrage. And the third is a blog by Kathy Schrock with information about educational apps. Each of them has some differences and some similarities. This post will focus on the template and design of the pages, the content of the blogs, and overall theme
All three of the blogs featured a photo of the author somewhere on the home page. Jakes' photo was the most prominent, but Schank and Schrock each had larger photos featured on a page available from the links on their top menu. This was another difference, that Jakes did not include a top menu. All his links, including a menu linking to other pages was on his left sidebar. Each of them have a handful of pages to visit and plenty of content. Schrok's other pages were not on the same platform as the blog page, which was a little jarring.
For content, all three of the blogs focus on technology but in different ways. Schrock's posts are predominantly about apps and resources that could be helpful for teachers. An example is a recent post about Android apps that can help teachers apply Bloom's Taxonomy. Her articles include links and images of her subject. Jakes' posts are mostly text with numerous links peppered throughout. The posts are notes and links related to presentations and seminars he has given. They are well organized with bullets and numbered lists. The content varies, but there are great resources including handling the speed of technology, tips on creating more engaging presentations, and ideas for "smashing" apps together to create hybrid apps for education. Schank's blog includes content relating to his work with artificial intelligence and a blog about his frustrations with current educational practices and traditions. One recent blog post asks why companies have to train their workers who just graduated with a degree in their field, and if there isn't a better way to prepare them while at college. Each blog's content is well mapped out and focused as are their themes.
The theme of Schank's blog is certainly the most opinionated. While his site covers topics related to his work as an engineer, computer scientist, and educator, his personal blog is titled "Education Outrage." It comes from a perspective of a frustrated educator, parent, and citizen. He sees many flaws in the way schools are organized and run, but he does offer solutions. Some of them are not always practical, but they are forward thinking and provocative. Schrock's blog is themed around chatting about ideas with friends. Each post includes practical applications of technology in the classroom. It is less theory and more showing what is available and how it can be used today as you might discuss it with a colleague. Jakes' blog is a bit more big picture. Rather than looking at specific applications of technology, his posts look to get his readers to ask questions, or give some bullets along with links to more detailed resources.
It was interesting reading these blogs and they are now linked in my blogroll on the right. Each has its merits and includes useful resources and thought provoking ideas. Each author uses their own unique voice and perspective to help other teachers and educators think and use the technology available to them.
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