Response to Classroom Blog

I selected a blog entitled American Studies from the list of classroom blogs because that is the title of a course I currently teach. At first I wasn't sure what to expect but I was immediately linked to an amazingly interactive website for the Humanities sponsored by Hunterdon Central Regional High School. I was amazed at how detailed this blog was posting a study guide for the course, information about the final examination, upcoming quizzes and tests, as well as analysis papers and class presentations. Links to downloadable assignment descriptions were readily available and students are encouraged to provide feedback about course readings in the class blog.
After navigating through this blog I looked at the rest of the lists of blogs under the classroom blogs section and noticed that most of them were geared for elementary and middle school rather than high school. We currently utilize First Class software at my high school where students have access to a class calendar, homework bin, and blog. I have embraced this technology and post assignment due dates in the calendar, collect submitted homework assignments from the bin, and allow students to interact and post feedback about course topics in the blog for extra credit. I was pleased with myself for this and thought I was serving as a trailblazer for integrating technology into my classroom, until I looked at some of these class blogs!
Another blog entitled Get Lost attracted my attention for obvious sarcastic reasons ; < )
Navigating through this blog I was amazed to find middle school students posting travel information for various European countries they visited on a virtual tour for a class project. Intrepid classroom was posted by a 21 year old "perpetual student of the universe" who offers a wide variety of topics for discussion among educators and students. I can't imagine this kid having problems finding a job in education some day! Finally I noticed a blog offering an opportunity to learn basic music recording skills and to make your own music, entitled "Music Production Skills." I work for a commercial advertising agency called Omni Music Corporation recording original compositions to be sold for radio, television, and internet commercials all over the world. This blog offered various resources and links for teachers, upcoming events, and products available for purchase.