Blog Post # 11

First Graders in Ms. Cassidy's Class

    This video showcases how Ms. Cassidy uses technology in her first grade classroom. The children tell about different programs that are used. The students use Ms. Cassidy’s webpage to find things on the Internet to help them learn. They can access it from school and home. Using Wikis allows students to ask other people for information and allows students to ask other people for information and allows them to respond. The students will write blogs, which helps them to write better. People all over the world can read their posts and comment to them. They can even make comments to each other as long as they remember to write nice comments. They use Skype to talk to other people, classrooms, or even experts to gain information relating to lessons. Students are allowed to use their Nintendo DS game system which promotes problem solving and sharing. They also use videos in the classroom to learn information.

    I was very impressed with this class and the amount of different types of media that Ms. Cassidy incorporates into her classroom and her lessons. It is very inspiring to me to see technology working in the classroom to help students learn. Best of all, the kids are excited about learning and having fun.

Skype Interview with Ms. Cassidy

    Dr. Strange and his EDM 310 class conducted a Skype interview with Ms.Cassidy. She is a first grade teacher in Moose Jaw, Saslatchewan, Canada. The conversation’s theme was technology.

    Dr. Strange led a discussion of Ms. Cassidy’s experience with technology. She began her journey into technology about 10 years ago after five computers were put in her classroom. “In first grade,” she comments, “five of anything is considered a center.” So, she had to create something for the children to do. As a result, her webpage was born. She has received a lot of support from her technical director and funding through the government for professional development. Ms. Cassidy is always updating and trying to add new material and programs. Her class has been blogging for five years, and she has been using videos for two years.

    Blogging is one of her most used technology components. She sends permission slips home on the first day of school and sets some ground rules. Students are never allowed to post their last names, and Ms. Cassidy makes a point when using pictures to make sure the picture doesn’t match the child’s name. Blogs are a portfolio of a student’s work, showcasing their writing. She tries to blog at least once a week in her classroom. Students love the fact that people all over the world can see their work and make moments to them, including students in EDM 310. Parents like to read blogs because it allows them to monitor their child’s progress, and they can view it at their convenience.

    Ms. Cassidy believes that, “technology is not going away. We can’t teach kids in this generation the same way kids 20 years, 10 years, and even 5 years ago were taught. We have to use different tools. The world has changed.” She believes that you are “handicapping students and yourself if you are not using technology.” As a result, she feels that every teacher should be technologically literate.

    I enjoyed listening to her interview. She made some good points regarding the positive effects of technology in the classroom. She also encouraged me, as a professional, to use more social networking programs such as Twitter, Blogger, and Facebook to gather information and ideas to use in my classroom. The biggest constraints that I see are time and funding. Therefore, I will try to plan wisely utilizing technology to teach the curriculum standards. Funding is a problem for schools everywhere. I would look into available grants that could be used for technological programs and professional development. Teachers need have continuing education on the technology available to them and how to incorporate different media into their classrooms.