In the video,"Little Kids...Big Potential," by Kathy Cassidy, first grade students share how they learn by using technology. They use blogs, a web page, wikis, videos, and Nintendo DS games to learn in their class. These students enjoy this way of learning.
Ms. Cassidy, a first grade teacher in Canada, uses technology in her classroom. In the "Skype Interview with Ms. Cassidy," she talks about how ten years ago she received five computers that did not have programs on them. She had to figure out a way to use them and decided to use the internet. She had great support from a technology coordinator who was looking for someone to try this style of learning. Even though he may have not been looking for first graders, it has worked.
The children enjoy writing on their classroom blog for the world to see. Ms. Cassidy uses "Class Blogmeister," and it shows how many people visit the blog and where they are from. The students get excited knowing that people from all over the world are reading what they write.
Parents seem to enjoy being able to see the students' work on the blog. On the first day of school Ms. Cassidy sends home a permission slip explaining what they will do in this class and gets permission for them to participate in this style of learning. Students are protected by only using their first names.
Like Ms. Cassidy said, technology isn't going anywhere. Using technology is a way of life for students, so they should be able to keep using it in schools, as well as at home. She mentioned that the students should be guided on how to use the internet in a positive way. The students are also taught to be nice to each other in their comments. She also recommends PLNs (Personal Learning Networks). She said that Twitter and other types of PLNs are very useful.
In my future classroom I hope that I can use blogs and Skype. I think writing a blog would be a great way to teach students to write and make it fun for them, knowing that the world is their audience. Skype would be a neat way to connect to students around the world to see what they are learning and share what we have done in our class. This takes show and tell to a whole new level. I will remind the students to stay positive and nice in their comments that they leave for each other. I will inform the parents and try to protect the students, much like the ways Ms. Cassidy mentioned. I think the students will have fun using technology to learn in my future classroom.
Hello Amanda,
ReplyDeleteFirst let me start off by saying I love your blog background its very hipy like. And I must say I agree with what you said about technology taking show and tell to a whole new level. I only had one question though. In your second paragraph at the end, I am not quite sure what you are talking about when you said " Even though he may have not been looking for first graders, it has worked."...My question is what has worked?
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI thought you did a great job summarizing the post, but your last paragraph went a lot more in depth and gave personal insight. Be sure to include more of this kind of input and opinion!
I liked how you stated that blogging teaches children that "the world is their audience." Writing can reach a lot of people, but even more so when it is online. Students need to be aware that they have this kind of influence. I think it is empowering to know that not only are they learning, but other people can learn from them as well.
Keep up the good work,
Carly
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI thought you did a great job on your blog. It was very well written and straight to the point. I think you should add a little more of what you thought about the videos but other than that you did great! Technology is going to make our future classrooms so much more fun!