Engage Me response

The article "Engage Me or Enrage Me" could not have been more accurate.  There is absolutely no doubt that trying to engage children in the classroom is difficult. There are millions of other things children would rather be doing than sitting in a classroom listening to lectures and watching demonstrations.  Many teachers are beginning to incorporate technology in the classroom.  However, it is going to take more than an hour of computer time and more than  one lesson with the smartboard for students to be engaged. 
 It is a teacher's job to not only help students grow intellectually but find fun ways for them to do so.  By giving children a blog, a teacher is opening up a  world of opportunities.  For example, imagine teaching a fourth grade classroom and just finishing a reading assignment. The educator has two choices; to assign a written report of the book or to use technology to report on the book. If students have a blog, teachers can give assignments and have students post them on their blog. A child can respond to a book or lesson using their blog and by doing this they are not only sharing their ideas with their teacher, but with their peers.  This would be easier than trying to get those shy children with a fear of public speaking to stand up front. 
Another option is to make a class blog.  By having this a teacher can assign a topic each week and have one student respond with their opinions and views. It could also be used to help keep parents updated on what goes on in the classroom. 
Giving students this option can help engage their attention because it is not another typed book report; it is an opportunity for them to explore their creative side and open up to their peers and educators.

More than anything, this future teacher wants to be educated on all the options for media use in the classroom so my classroom will have nothing but engaged (not enraged) students.