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Although open to new technology I don’t believe this is the way to communicate to students or take their opinions. Although I’m not a student of Iroquois Central I don’t believe having a blog is personal enough to relate or reasuure in any way that a large part of the school district in essence you, are paying attention to the students needs or actions without fellow action itself. I’m not reassured that an internet blog is a way to connect with student and their opinions without first taking their opinions in a first hand action and show real physical proof you are doing what is best for the students. I’m not detoring on your actions as a super intendant, but I’m not fond of technology(specifically the internet) becoming our bases of communication, thus taking away personal interaction.

Mr. Rochelle,
This summer, I took economics with Mr. Aroune, and we incorporated Blogs and Wikis into the classroom, and it made a for a great learning experience. By using our own personal blogs, all linked together so that each student can read the others’ blogs, we were able to link the concepts of economics to our own interests. This helped me learn the corriculum far more easily and quickly, and with more enjoyment. I learned economics while linking it to computers, snowboarding, soccer, food- all of my interests. I began to truly enjoy class, as it became less work when you wrote about something you cared about and enjoyed, while you continued to learn at a faster pace than normal. I think that Wikis and Blogs are great ways to increase all aspects of learning at Iroquois.

Greg M.

I took the econmics course in summer school this year. I do not think that blogging is the best way to teach the class. I do believe that it should be incorporated into the class as a tool such as a textbook is, but i don’t htink that it should be the basis of the class. I know that it will be differnt during the shool year but i did not get any feedback on my blog and i wont since i dont go to this school. So i dont know if anything I wrote was right or if it was how he wanted it. I think that blogging if done properly then it will be a good tool but the idea needs to be developed more.

I took economics this year over the summer. I think bloging helps you understand the material better but I don’t think that blogging should be the only source of teaching. I think that technology can only go so far. I believe that blogs and wikis should be backed up with lectures and hands on teacher teaching. I also think that blogs should be used with long term classes not 6 or 10 week courses because there isn’t enough time to work on blogs and learn the material while getting the much needed feedback from other students in order for the blogs to be affective.

Mr. Rochelle

Wow, it’s great to see how many other people from Iroquois are getting involved in blogging. It’s a great way to communicate thoughts and ideas, such as suggestions for the district. However, I’m not sure that this blog is going to able to reach everyone and allow them to express their opinions. How many students outside of the summer program or parents know about this? I’m sure if more students and parents knew that you had a blog like this where they can post their comments and concerns, then they’d be more than willing to do so. But let’s not let this replace the traditional way of meeting with concerned parents, students, and staff to talk these matters out.
Overall, I hope this is something we can continue to develop. It’s a great start :]

Mr. Rochelle,

This year, I took economics and participation in Government. Through those classes I did blogging and used Wikis. With these classes I learned how to blog and how to tie in libraries and economics. Since some of my friends were in my classes, we were able to link our blogs together, and edit them. This is one thing that helped everyone learn.

Blogs and Wikis are the wave of the future, but they need to be used in moderation. Wikis can only be edited by one person at a time, so if a teacher says to update the wiki, one person will edit, and the others will either work in a word file or goof off.

If Blogs aren’t linked together, one person can feel that their blog is ignored and lose all motivation for working.

This is a valuable tool for education, but it can have its flaws. The teachers will learn over time to find a happy medium with this new technology.

Dear Mr. Rochelle,

Like so many of the people who have previously posted I took the Economics class at Iroquois High School which incorporated blogs and wikis as essential parts of our learning.
The main idea of the blogs was to incorporate economics with our hobbies and passions (clean). For my blog I used storytelling and related it to Economics. This was my first blog, and I wasn’t at first quite sure how it would work out. Over time however I was able to find my own niche in the blog-o-sphere and shape my blog to fit my individual hobbies moving from an analysis on storytelling to constructing stories of my own, all relating to Economics.
We used the Wiki to help out with notes in class. This allowed us to compile the entire class’s knowledge on a subject. We didn’t spend as much time working on Wiki as the blog but I still think Wikis hold much promise. I remember when Mr. Aroune first mentioned blogs as means for education, I was a bit skeptical, but with some work I can see the internet revolutionizing the way in which people learn.

Mr. Rochelle

I was involved in the summer economics program and I would like to share my feelings on the blogging experience. I have to say it was very insightful and interesting. We strove to connect our own expiriences and passions to the world of economics. I personally feel this is a very creative way to get us the students thinking of how school connects to the world and now in our lives. Also it was very intreging to hear about someone elses view and twist on the same subjects. This really helped me to actually learn the material instead of just regeritating it back. While reading and commenting on other’s blogs I am also reading the information again as well as developing my evaluating skills. This could really grow into something effective and big. I am really excited for when entire schools are involved with this and we all can interact.

Amanda F

Mr. Rochelle,

It’s great that you’re using weblog technology. Here in Mr. Aroune’s summer economics course, we’re using it a lot. I like the idea of it, as Mr. Aroune hinted that at some point in the future, classes might not need to meet as regularly as they do at this point. Assignments and projects could be given and done online, eliminating the need to meet. Also, having my work online is convenient. For example, I left the essay that I needed for Career Studies at home today. That doesn’t happen with this. It’s like “Where did I put my blog…Oh of course, the Internet.” Also, we can write about anything we want, as long as we use certain keywords in our posts. It really is great, and it’s a lot of fun.

i think this a great idea and i didnt even now about this until i logged onto the schholl website i think you should also have a private thing so we can keep others from viewing personal comments relating to issues at school

Mr. Rochelle, I would like to formally thank you again for your support for the lights at our stadium. As you witnessed, the students of our community will truly enjoy the Friday Night Lights for many years to come. There was a great article in all the bee news papers regarding our home opener and the lights. I have also set up a blog for our football program if you want to take a look at it. i would appreciate any comments you have in regards to the blog. We have alumni that live in other parts of the country that are willing to donate money to our program if we keep them up to date on what is happening with our program and i think the blog will be a great additin to our program.
Thanks again,
Coach Payne

Thanks Frank. You and the boosters are doing great things. I’ve added your blog to the blogroll on the ICS Community Update Blog that you can access from our homepage.

Keep up the good work thanks for the compliment. It has been a great experience for me.

Iroquois Central Rocks My Sox!!!

Thank You Mr. Rochelle for all that you do for Iroquois Central School District!!!!!!!!

Thanks for brightening my day Ashley!

I think blogging is a controversial idea. The concept is safe and seems productive. However there are a few problems to work out. Such as what is appropriate to put on the internet. It is good that we are learning with new technology to prepare us for the globalized economy in the future. So in summation blogging will help your students with new forms of learning and the wave of the future.

There certainly are positive and negative uses of the internet. Our goal is to teach students how to differentiate the two. I appreciate your comments. It helps all that read these comments. What do you think about this blog in particular and having students able to blog me as one more form of accessibility?

Yea Iroquois is my favorite school!