Blog Post #11

The video Little Kids...Big Potential is an amazing video about first grade students in Ms. Cassidy class who want to learn. The students like to write in the our books, but they like to do blogs the most. One of the boys in the class said the reason he likes to do his blogs is because "people see it and they give us comments." I feel that that is a good way to get the students interested in writing. It gives them hope and freedom. The students want to become better writers and they want to learn. The students blogs are online portfolio's of their work. It shows how the students are doing and how much they grow each day just by writing and interacting with technology while incorporating that is the lesson plan. The way the students comment on the other students blog is to " never ever say bad stuff, only say nice stuff".
Next, the students use their webpage to find things on the internet. "You can click on the pictures and it will take you to the places you want to learn." The students really want to get involved with the activities because it is very fun to them. On the webpage the students can learn many different subjects from working on the alphabets to counting coins for math. I feel that the webpage is a great idea because it allows the child to learn on their own with the help of technology to guide them in the right direction. We are know in the age of time where technology is becoming the main source of learning. By starting the children out using the different technology in the classroom, you are automatically getting them familiar with the new idea of learning and with the world. Not only do the students do their work in the classroom, they can also go online at home and practice more to become better.
Next,the students also use wiki's in the classroom. The students use the wiki's when they want to learn about tradition and other things. The students asked other people around the world what traditions are such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, and people commented to give the students a better idea of what they are. The same concept went for what is a ritual. The students also make videos on the thing that they have learned. It helps them to understand the topic better and they are able to upload it on their blogs. Incorporating technology in the classroom is very important to me. Technology is a big part of our society and it is good to get the younger children involved at an early age just like Ms. Cassidy did with her first grade class.

Ms. Cassidy's Skype Conversation
Ms. Cassidy is a first grade teacher who incorporates technology in her class. She lets the students blog, skype, do wiki's, and many other things that deals with technology as wee seem in Little Kids...Big Potential. Ms. Cassidy got involved in technology about 10 years ago because she was suddenly given five computers in her class room. She wanted to incorporated computer in her classroom so she did a little research and found different blogs. Ms. Cassidy also got a federal grant to work on her technology journey, which was very helpful to her. In order to make sure the students are protected with their identity, Ms. Cassidy never post last names, only first. Also she sends a letter home letting the parents know what they student will be doing in the class. The parents like to see their child's progress through their blogs and online website. Ms. Cassidy feels that technology is not going away. Blogs make a difference in students learning because it creates an audience. The students develops relationships with other student around the world through Skype.

The other teachers at Ms Cassidy school does not want to adjust to the change in teaching. Ms. Cassidy also thinks that all teachers should be technology literate. Students need to start developing their own online networks. Collaborating is very important when it comes to education and technology. Ms. Cassidy has really helped me to get idea's for my classroom. Her approaches in teaching is very useful and will go a long way in everyday life. I would really like to use as much technology in my classroom, that will help my students understand what is going on.