A Thing: The 3rd One. (Use.)

Alright, so in my last two posts, we've explored some tools that can assist you in your journey (which, if you are reading this, is probably to becoming an educator).  But, just knowing what tools might be useful to you isn't enough to make that journey happen; you have to know when, why, and how you can put these tools into action!  That's right.  There is one very important secret ingredient to making the most of any tool.  (Use.)

Let's talk about blogs, again.  And let's do it in the context of education.  As the description of my blog states, I am an aspiring educator, and I am, indeed, here to educate other inspiring educators as well as educators.  So, it's time we got down to business, right?  Right.  As an educator, a blog can serve as a very useful tool for you and your students.  Now, let's discuss the when, the why, and the how!

Q:  When should I use an education blog?
A:  An education blog can be used whenever you want it to be!  (As long as you have access to the internet.)  Here are some ideas for how often to update:

1. Everyday
2. Every other day
3. Once a week
4. As needed

However often you decide to update your blog, make sure that you keep your audience informed as to how often they can expect posts from you.  If you post on a specific day (or days), remind your readers frequently what day it is.  Try not to miss a day.  If you update the blog as needed, suggest that your readers check up on it whenever they get the chance, to be sure they don't miss any important posts.  If you see your audience often, tell them, yourself, that you have made a new post, and that they should check it as soon as they can.

Q:  Why should I use an education blog?
A:  As I've mentioned before, blogs can benefit you in many ways, including providing you with a means to express yourself, share information, and join an interactive communication network revolving around the ideas of yourself and others!  As a teacher, you can use a blog for educational or informational purposes.  The education blog allows you to provide students with an easily-accessible (as long as they have equally as easy access to a computer with internet connection) resource that's convenient for you to update, and can act as whatever you want it to be!

Q:  How should I use an education blog?
A:  An education blog can serve a variety of purposes, and chances are, if there is a function you would like it to have, then with a little creativity, you can make it work!  Some ideas on how to use a blog for educational purposes are:

• To post students' assignments, daily
• To create a forum in which students can answer writing prompts or other assignments
• To allow students a network through which to communicate and give each other feedback on assignments
• To provide students with a location to access calendars, syllabuses, and other information
• To post homework exercises which would otherwise be printed worksheets (to save paper and ink)
• To share links to websites which could benefit students

These are only a few of the possibilities!  Use your imagination; a blog is what you make it, so make it a tool!