Inspiration

By using Inspiration, I created a flow chart connecting the projects I have completed in this course to the NETS-T they satisfy. (NETS-T 3)

Journal 1: Nets I-V

Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/February-2011-Do-Web-20-Right.sflb.ashx

This article discusses the different ways an educator can use technology to engage their students.  Tools like blogs and wikis are great tools to use in the classroom.  David Light, the author of this article spent much of his time traveling all around the country with his colleagues to interview teachers about their experiences with using these tools in their classrooms, successfully, and sometimes, unsuccessfully.  Blogs seemed to be a very useful way for teachers and students to connect on a whole new level.  Many teachers used blogs to create discussion forums that enabled facilitated conversations amongst their students, the parents, and themselves.  So many treat technology as a plague and will do everything in their power to keep it out of the classroom, but many studies have shown cognitive improvement in students when they use technology in the classroom.  Just because students find it fun and interesting, it does not mean that technology is a negative thing to have.  Light highlighted three different elements that he claims are essential for success; daily practice, audience, and appropriate behavior.  If you have these three, academic success through technology is possible. 

Question 1: I plan on becoming a Kindergarten teacher.  How would I incorporate this into my lesson plan with such a young crowd?

With the technology boom of the 21^st century, it is rarer to run into a child over the age of 5 without some type of webpage.  By working with the students, and their parents, incorporating blogs and wiki in classroom activities is possible.  It may be a bit challenging, but as long as I have everyone on the same page, working towards a common goal, it will happen.  Parents could log onto the blog to see our class schedule, scanned assignments that their children have completed, and they will be able to view their progress throughout the year.  

Question 2:

There is no doubt that children can be nasty online, especially when given the freedom to blog.  How can I prevent this type of behavior in my classroom?

Certain blogs and discussion boards give the teacher the ability to hide, or show students what their classmates have posted.  I could prevent them from seeing each other’s posts until I view and am able to determine that they are appropriate for the rest of the class to see.