Blog Post #9

What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?

In the first video, First Graders in Mrs. Cassidy's Class, the students talked about all the different ways they learn through technology. I was shocked by all the things the students knew about technology and how to use it. The students like to write on their blogs because everyone can see and comment on it. The students were saying how their parents and grandparents leave them comments. I love how the parents can see how much the students are learning and their progress by reading their blogs. The students explained how using blogging improves their writing and they get better each time they write a blog. I think that it is awesome that the students are seeing improvement in themselves by using blogs. The students also use webpages to find learning tools on the internet. They use Wiki to ask questions and learn about traditions around the world. One students explained how they use Wiki to learn about the alphabet. Another tool the students use is Skype. They use Skype to talk to other students from all over the world. This allows the students to learn from different students and cultures. The last thing the students talked about in this video was using Nintendo DS's in the classroom. I have to say I thought this was a great idea and I hope to be able to do this in my classroom one day. The students explained that the Nintendo DS's help them become better problem solvers and also learn how to share.

Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 2
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 3

Above are the next three parts to the Skype interview with Kathy Cassidy. Cassidy explained how she got involved with using technology about ten years ago when she was given five computers in her classroom. She gave some great ideas about using technology in the classroom. I liked the first tip she gave about sending forms home the first day of school to the parents for permission for the students to use the internet. She said that the parents always like the students using technology because it allows them to to be able to see their child's progress anytime without having to have a meeting with the teacher. Cassidy also explained how technology is not going away and that it is here to stay. She said that educators have to change and learn to use technology in the classroom because their are so many opportunities for the students to learn through using online tools. If we as educators don't allow technology in the classroom we are handicapping our students. She explained how her students love using technology in the classroom and how it makes them excited to learn. Using blogging allows the students to have their own personal audience because the whole world can see it. Cassidy explained ways to start using technology in the classroom if you are new to it. I love her idea of starting from what you are most interested in. An example she gave was if you are interested in videos you could start by signing up for a YouTube account. When I become an educator I would love to start by using Blogging in my classroom. Blogging is so beneficial to the students in so many ways. It can be integrated into every subject.

In the last Skype video with Cassidy, she answered questions from Dr. Strange's students. One response that stuck out to me was about using technology with your students if you are an Physical Education major. She gave some great ideas that I had not thought about. She recomended using a blog to tell students if practice is changed or use a cell phone to text each of them. I have to say that each video I watched about using technology in the classroom makes me more excited about becoming a teacher. Technology is advancing more everyday and allowing so many opportunities for the students. I learned a lot from each of Mrs. Cassidy's videos for my future classroom.