Blog Post #10

What Can We Learn From Mrs. Cassidy?

In Little Kids...Big Potential we watch Kathy Cassidy's first-grade class in action. The children are excited to use technology in their classroom. They enjoy writing on their blog because other people can see it and comment on it. The students also use:

• Web Searching
• Wikis
• Videos
• Skype
• Nintendo DS

In the three interview videos with Dr. Strange and Mrs. Cassidy, we learn how Mrs. Cassidy uses technology in her classroom. (Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1, Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 2, Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 3) Mrs. Cassidy uses a classroom blog for her students. Depending on the year and the amount of students she has they use the blog once or twice a week. The blog helps them with their reading and writing. It also helps them connect with an audience. Mrs. Cassidy explains that the children feel proud of their work when they know other people are looking at it. Her Blog is also a way that the students parents can see what they have been working on. I really like how Mrs. Cassidy has a class website. The website is a hub for the students to start out at. From there they can click on the different links that Mrs. Cassidy has provided for them. I think that I would like to try this in my future classroom. I think that some parents and myself would be concerned with internet safety. I like the tips that Mrs. Cassidy gave:

• No last names
• Always say positive things when commenting
• Do not click on sidebar links
• Do not add names to pictures

There are many benefits to using technology in the classroom. Technology is not going away and this is the world that these children live in. We can teach them how to find information and how to use the internet safely. The children learn to collaborate and share. Students are able to connect with other students and experts from around the world.