Blog Post #10

Little Kids...Big Potential

In Mrs. Cassidy's first video, her first graders talk all about writing their blog and how much fun it is for them. They know that blogging on a regular basis improves their writing and the comments their parents, siblings, and other students are really exciting to them. Their classroom home webpage is accessible at any time and the students use it as a source. Another source they use is Wiki. They've used it to get different information on traditions and rituals. They have made videos about things they learn, which is something that is useful to look back and review. As first graders, they use Skype! They use it to have reading buddies, something different from when I was that age.

Interview with Mrs. Cassidy #1

Mrs. Cassidy got into computers when her class was given 5 computers 10 years ago. She started trying to make different webpages and utilize the online resources since those computers could not have applications be downloaded. They finally settled on blogging. Mrs. Cassidy's class is very excited about how much technology they have to use. To discouragers, Mrs. Cassidy says that technology is not going away and it is a necessity to use it as it comes.

Interview with Mrs. Cassidy #2

It is important to start the technology where you're interested - video, photography, blogging. She also discusses the importance of Twitter, calling it the "old people version of Facebook." I disagree with that. More people from my high school would scroll through hours of Twitter before Facebook. While Twitter might be useful, I still have not gotten a hang of using it, it is still quite pointless to me.

Interview with Mrs. Cassidy #3

Mrs. Cassidy has very good views on cheating. She believes that as long as it is presented differently, it is just collaboration. It's an additional source of information, like googling a topic. Every time we do something we collaborate on it, but as long as we make it our own it should not be considered cheating. She has become very involved in her laptop during the evening and in her personal time, but she says that is just the way her life is at the moment.

Mrs. Cassidy had some very good points throughout her video. Like it or not the times are changing and technology is happening all around us. As she points out we need to get with the times and accept it, or face the risk of hurting our students in the future.