Online Communication Tools

Online Communication tools are tools that we don't even think about how much we use. Most people use some form of online communication everyday perhaps through email. In the business world email has made communicating with others easy and fast. I use email everyday and when our network is down I feel lost many times. I would rather email than pick up the phone many times. I feel that I can get more accomplished that way. I also always have a record for reference. This can be a downfall to online communication tools because we begin to depend on them too much and can lose important communication skills. There is a balance but in the classroom it is important to teach students different ways of learning and communicating.

Since I am not teaching yet I am referencing another online communication tool that I use on a regular basis in my classroom as a student. Blogs and discussion boards are a great online communication tool that can involve every class member. Blogs also allow us to debate our views on topics and learn other views as well.

In the future I plan to use blogs in the classroom as tools to communicate with students and parents. Homework assignments as well as discussion board topics will be links in which students will use to communicate with myself and their peers. I would like for the students to be involved in creating the blog at the beginning of the school year. I would like their input in what they would like to see and what would be helpful for them. This will give the students an opportunity to control part of their learning environment and motivate them to take pride in the blog site. Parents can also benefit from the blog because they will be able to see their students’ progress. They can check homework assignments and calendars that will have important dates. This can be a help in keeping parents involved in the classroom.

Using online communication tools helps teachers follow with KY teaching standards by implementing a technology enriched curriculum. There are many benefits to using this technology in the classroom beyond learning. Teachers can better monitor what students are doing and how well they are doing it. It makes a better learning environment for both the students and teachers.