Blog Post #11

Little Kids...Big Potential

As I was watching this video, I couldn't help but think of how Ms. Cassidy allowed her children to be open to the internet. It takes a lot of work to get blogs going and find interesting resources, but it pays off. She didn't limit her kids to a chalkboard and easy-read books. She gives them the freedom to use the class blog as a learning tool and shows them how to use a Nintendo DS for learning purposes. I find this teacher exceptional. Of course, with EDM being a required class, hopefully this will soon be the expected, not the exception. Children need to have an open-mind and be shown how to use the computer for education. I believe with technology and hands-on projects, children will be more interested and want to get involved. Ms. Cassidy's class did an excellent job making his video. The children seemed excited about getting to show off what they have learned.

Skype Interview with Ms. Cassidy

In this interview, Kathy Cassidy shares with EDM students how she got into technology and what it has done for her classroom. Ms. Cassidy has been incorporating technology in her classroom for ten years. She originally started with five basic computers with internet access and she began creating blogs and web pages for her students. She has created all of this stuff on her own. She says she has great support and is constantly adding new things to her web page and blog. Parents like this idea because they are able to see their child's work on a regular basis. And for the children, they don't know that most classrooms don't participate in blogs. Ms. Cassidy's class is blessed to have a teacher who wants to keep up with the world and realizes the need for change in the schools. If first graders can create blogs and make comments, then any teacher can teach any age how to do this.

I admire her commitment to change the mindset of most classrooms. Her techniques give me many ideas for how I want to handle my classroom. For example, they visit other classrooms via Skype to read books and enjoy listening, reading, and seeing other children. She believes every teacher should be technologically literate due to the change the world has made over the years. Ms. Cassidy uses Twitter for ideas and to create an atmosphere of sharing ideas with one another.

She recommends starting your technological learning by researching what you are interested in. Develop your network using your "entry point", everyone's different. Twitter isn't just a second-to-second update, it's a life-changer. Overtime, the people you follow tweet websites and questions/answers. Each time I get on Twitter, I enjoy visiting the websites teachers have listed.

Ms. Cassidy touches base on cheating using blogs. I really liked her answer. She says the teacher should become more creative in asking different questions so the student can't copy someone from a previous years answer.

I think through experience, Ms. Cassidy has tried to put her students on the top of her priority list. I believe as teachers, we should all strive to present our kids with the best, most valuable information there is. It might be technology for now, but that is what will make all the difference in the long run.

Thank you Ms. Cassidy!