Blog Post #11

Ms. Cassidy's studetns are so lucky to have such a thoughtful and wonderful technologically modern teacher! These children get to blog and communicate with other students, and teachers. The children are told only to use their first names not last for privacy concerns, also to be safe on the internet.  When critiquing work you should be nice and not hurt another friend's feelings.  Wiki's are used in Ms. Cassidy's room to find out information about a topic.  The children use the smart board and Skype to enhance the technology in their room.  Video taping for individual portfolios and for classroom use are seen in the classroom. These children are not limited and can be whoever they choose to be, and they know it! All thanks to Ms. Cassidy!  My favorite thing I noticed about their classroom was on the door, it said " College Graduating class of 2025." I thought that was very inspiring to children, and adults alike.

Skype Interview with Ms. Cassidy

 Miss Cassidy utilized technology to the fullest in her classroom with the tools she was given! She was given five computers to help in the classroom.  As she explains when you have five of anything, there is a need to make a center.  Her mission then was to see how she can incorporate learning into the computer technology.  She was asked if she had any help with incorporating technology in her room.  Ms. Cassidy said she had a great technical teacher who helped with explaining the use of blogging and technology in the room.  Administrators were alright with the use of technology.  Parents can look at their child's blogs and see their progress.  Online portfolios help with progression in the classroom. I like the fact that Ms. Cassidy included technology in her curriculum so  the students are able to learn skills needed to use technology in their everyday lives. In the SKYPE interview with Dr. Strange, Ms. Cassidy talked about how long she used technology in her classroom, how she got her ideas and how the parents responded to their children using technology in school. It is so neat to know that when I have my own classroom how much technology will be available to use! If our students understand why they are learning specific skills in school they will better know how to use those skills and carry them with them in there ever-growing toolbox for eternity! Our students our teachable, and impressionable, and they can and will learn if we help them. Technology is what modern children know, they are programmed to understand it from birth, and if we learn utilize that technology, our students can better grow.