Blog Assignment #9

"Technology is not going away, it is here to stay." - Mrs. Cassidy

Mrs. Cassidy is a 1st grade teacher in Canada. In Dr. Strange's Interview Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 Mrs. Cassidy explains how she incorporates technology into the classroom. She said she started getting into technology about ten years ago and started a blog about five years ago. When asked what was the best way to start using technology, she said that one should start with something you are interested in. If you like to write, you should start blogging. If you like photography, you should check out Flickr. Her 1st grade class has personal blogs and they blog about once or twice a week. This blog allows her students to have an online portfolio of their work. While it mostly hones in on their writing skills, their parents and other family members are still able to see what they are accomplishing in class. The blog also allows her students to have an audience. It is set up with page reads and a cluster map to keep up with visitors. Mrs. Cassidy teaches her students how to be safe on the internet since their blogs have so many visitors. For example, her students do not use their last name on their blog. She also shows them how to focus only on the places that they are supposed to go and not the many flashing and colorful links that surround that particular educational tool. Skype is another tool used in this 1st grade classroom. The students are able to Skype with their online "buddies" and even experts on whatever they are studying! When asked about how students respond to technology, Mrs. Cassidy explained how technology was part of their world. They do not know anything different so using different technology is normal for them. And about those people that think technology does not have a place in the classroom she said, "You are handicapping your students, and yourself in fact, by not taking advantage of those tools." As was explained in the videos, teachers need to keep up with the new and upcoming technology. Especially since there is such a shift in the way we collect information now and how it is more of a collaborative effort than a single effort. Teacher and student use of Personal Learning Networks can help with the keeping up of technology. All in all, Mrs. Cassidy's interviews were extremely helpful in ways to bring technology into the classroom.

When I one day have a classroom (which I am hoping is sooner rather than later), I will definitely have class blogs. I think it is a great idea for students to have an online portfolio of their work along with an audience for it. With this, I believe students will put more effort and take more pride in their work. The only thing I would be afraid of is student participation. I do no think you have to worry as much about participation with younger students as you do older students, but it is still a problem that could arise. If I had a student not participate, I think I would take them aside and talk to them about why they are not doing their work, and then keep an extra eye on them to make sure their future work is completed. These videos make me really excited to have a classroom and try out my new ideas!

Thanks for reading!

Jennah Rose