Blog Post #11

Little Kids....Big Potential
        This video has tied together a lot of what we have been learning in EDM 310. The first part of the video showed students reflecting on their blogs. They made comments about what they liked and how it has helped them. Some of the comments included students saying blogging helps them sound out words and realize their mistakes. The students spoke about peer commenting, and why it is important to stay positive. The students spoke about different ways webpages can help them learn both at school, and at home. The video also featured the students using Skype to communicate with people in different areas. This video showed me how important blogging is to students. Yes, teachers are the ones to initiate blogging, but I did not realize how much the students enjoy it. The students in the video showed me that blogging is a wonderful way to increase literacy skills. Blogging gives students a huge sense of freedom and accomplishment. It was evident to see this when the students were talking about the comments they have received. The students also spoke about their webpages. There are a ton of beneficial learning webpages the student can pick from, and even use at home too. All of the webpages are interactive. I saw that this was another example of interacting with people in different areas. Part of the interview was a geologist explaining about rocks. The students were most likely having a lesson on different types of rocks, or something of that nature. Using outside sources is something I definitely want to do in my classroom. Mrs. Cassidy using great teaching skills.

Interview with Mrs. Cassidy
        Mrs. Cassidy starts off her interview with how she began her journey with technology; just five computers that only had internet access. She began with webpages and blogging, which has surely expanded. She began her classroom blog ten years ago, with the support of her technology coordinator. Mrs. Cassidy goes on about the identity of her students, and how they will remain safe: first names only, pictures will not match faces. The parents receive a letter at the beginning of the school year informing them that student work will be on the internet. Mrs. Cassidy says that the parents like the convenience of seeing their students work and seeing the progress. To the students, technology is natural. Mrs. Cassidy talks about blog comments and how excited her students get when receiving comments. She uses a tool that records how many page reads the students get, which motivates the students even more. Mrs. Cassidy's speaks about Twitter. She said at first it seemed irrelevant and as if no one was listening. Overtime, she found people with the same interests and you are able to help and be helped. She says once you figure out how to connect and who to "follow" it is very useful. Dr. Strange then prompts his students to ask Mrs. Cassidy questions of their own. Mrs. Cassidy says she always blogs, but depending the amount of students will determine the amount of time spent on blogs. One of the questions was about how to protect students from the internet. Mrs. Cassidy talks to her students about "safe places" on the internet. She She tells them which links they should use and which ones they shouldn't.


        So, Mrs. Cassidy is well rounded when is comes to using technology in her classroom. The first video indicated that the students were not only using the technology that, but they were actually gaining from it. The students in Mrs. Cassidy's blog seem so eager to learn. They all seemed to truly enjoy all of the feedback they receive. Every tool that Mrs. Cassidy mentioned gives her students feedback: blogs, Skype,and webpages. I would love the incorporate each of these learning techniques in my classroom. Mrs. Cassidy started out with only five computers and no help. If she was able to do it, I believe i can too, especially after all of Dr. Strange's instruction. These video's show how beneficial each of these can be. I would love to expand my students learning in every way that I can. Cassidy 13 Part 1         Cassidy 13 Part 2         Cassidy 13 Part 3