Blogging in the classroom

Blogging in the classroom is an interesting subject. I like the idea of students expressing themselves through written communication. I think it evens the playing field. I steal this mantra from an article in the New York Times that I read (check it out http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/19/technology/circuits/19blog.html?ex=1250568000&en=33627811ca310596&ei=5090). Students who are normally quiet in class have a chance to express themselves. This useful article from The Journal from a former educator weighing in on the usefulness of blogging in the classroom gives props to the idea of blogging (check it out http://thejournal.com/articles/20292_1). She makes a good point that blogs are good for peer to peer learning. Students can comment on other students' comments. Opinion like blogs can be risky though. A student could have something hurtful posted on the internet for everyone to see. The teacher would have to be strictly monitoring the site and have imposed strict rules for postings. Most blogs are publicly viewable (like this one) which leaves students opionions (if not login in names) open to anyone who is lurking on the web.

Role of technology in my education

My schools have always had up to date technology. When I was in high school, my school had a deal with Apple and the lab computers were replaced every year with the latest level macs. Every teacher had a new mac in his or her classroom. All the attendence, grading, and conduct was done on the computer in every class. At any point a student could see a printout of his or her grade in the class from the program used for grading. I had computer class all through elementary school. I had keyboarding class and computer apllications in Jr. High and High School. I became relatively proficient in computer skills. MTSU had even more interactive technological facilities and my education has almost entirely been integrated with technology. I think this trend will only continue with future generations as technology advances. I see the use of smart phones (I-phones, multi-interface devices) as the medium for class contact in the future. Live streaming will become ubiquitous only to the benefits of our students.

Brief Bio

I am Alex Timothy Favazza, Jr. I was born in Knoxville, TN in Februrary of 1987. I believe it was a Thursday afternoon around 4:30. My personal memory of the event is hazy, but people, namely my parents, have told me that I was quite a large baby with broad shoulders. Due to complications I was placed in ICU for several days. My parents finally paid me off when I was four. By then we were living in Memphis, TN in the house in which I was raised. I now had a baby sister named Amanda--now she's pursuing degrees in ministry and Spanish at Harding University. My father worked as an insurance salesman, and my mother, a medical technologist. My sister and I attended Harding Academy of Memphis where I participated in a variety of activities involving wrestling, band, choir, drama, religious groups, and academic organizations. In 2005 I moved to Murfreesboro, where I live currently, to attend Middle Tennessee State University and pursue a degree in Music Education. I worked at a number of part-time jobs and currently hold employment at St. George's Episcopal Church Nashville, TN. I am student teaching in my final semester at MTSU and look forward to graduating in May. I love getting to get up every day and do what I love. Few people are as blessed as I.