Reflection

There is no requirement for me to do a reflection on this assignment, but I thought that it was necessary to do one anyway.

Looking back on this assignment, I have learned a lot about blogging, websites and a variety of technologies that can be used in the classroom.  All this information is new to me (mostly because I teach in a Preschool classroom) and I love reading about technologies that can help my students become better learners.  I also like how we are learning about supportive technologies for students who have disabilities.  I have two students who have learning disabilities and technologies such as iPads, computers, read a-long software, has really helped me teach more efficiently toward their learning styles.

My goal, after I finish my master, is to become a Kindergarten teacher.  The very first thing I want to do for my classroom is to create a classroom blog.  I want both students and parents to have access to:

• Online event/assignment calender
• Spelling list
• My contact info
• Pictures of students doing projects or on a field trip
• Reading List 
• Small Forums that students can participate in

Will I delete this when this assignment is over?

No, I will not delete this blog.  My goal is to keep this up and running so I can post future resources for both work and school. This even inspired me to create a personal blog for my family and friends.  

Supportive technologies that help students with disabilities

After this week discussion, it really opened my eyes about supportive technologies that will help students with learning or physical disabilities.  These technologies will motivate students and keep them interested.

Like I stated in my discussion, schools want inclusion between general education classrooms, and special education classrooms.  There are many benefits to inclusion in the classroom.  Students will have equal learning opportunities and students will learning disabilities have a better chance with staying on par with their classmates.

I am disappointing in the lack of education/training that the county is giving teachers. In my school, we had to pay for the training.  I think is should be a free training because it is helping students who really need it.

I found an article online from the National Center for Learning Disabilities called "Assistive Technologies".  This link includes videos, books, applications and other steps to help students with different disabilities.  Please give it a read, and I hope this is helpful in your classrooms.

http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education

Benefits of having technology

One of the best things about having technology is getting frequent updates about this winter storm headed towards to D.C through text alerts and e-mails.

Stay bundled up everyone =)

International Key-Pals

When I have an older classroom, I would love to have my students participate in an international key-pal project.  A “key-pal” is a pen-pal but through the internet instead through pen and paper.  This project will give students the opportunity to get to know other students in a specific county and/or state.  Students can send photos/videos (under supervision), tell each other what they do every day and how they live.  Students may tell each other what they are learning in school, and what their likes and dislike are.

This project really gives students the opportunity to get other know other students from other countries and/or state.  Students can understand cultures and how other students their age live.  Students will love this project because it will open their minds about the world, and give them different opinions about how other people live. 

A teacher must research different website to use.  There are many websites that can be used for this project.  The first one is “Skype in the Classroom” by Skype.  In this area, teachers can publically say that they are looking for a classroom to Skype with.  Teachers give the age group and what topic they want to discuss.  Website is:  https://education.skype.com/collections/skype-penpals

The second website that I researched is a website called “the Teachers Corner”.  On this website, teachers can also find schools all over the world by grade level and interest.  Website includes different things that the teacher might want to use (lesson plans, worksheets, etc...)  Website is: http://www.theteacherscorner.net/penpals/

The last website is called “Students of the World”.  This website has online chats, forums, and blogs with different people around the world.  This website would be perfect for older students on the high school level because it is more of an “online chat” than a “key-pal”.  This website is called: http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/

Interesting Readings

Here are a few links I found that were an interesting read:

Pros and Cons of Digital Devices

Pros and Cons technology in the Classroom

Blogging in the 21st- Century Classroom

Enjoy!

Pros and Cons of Blogging and other Technologies

There are many pros and con’s when it comes to technologies in school.  Cyber-security is the number one issue when working with technology in school.  A top priority is keeping our students safe from the harm that comes with the World Wide Web.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are harmful effects with students starring at a computer screen for a great amount of time (Concordia University, 2014).  Children are more at risk for headaches and eye problems. Having students write on a blog is a great experience for them because they can use it for virtual pen-pals, journal/diary, or small discussion topics.  Students can also post videos to prove a statement or to even start a discussion! When students are searching on the internet for resources, videos, or articles, that’s when the problem starts.  There can be pop-ups, viruses, and/or websites that students can accidentally go on.  When a student’s blog is not properly protected, students can get strangers that can contact them. 

Concordia University. (2014).Pros and Cons of Allowing Digital Devices in the Classroom.
Retrieved from http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/tech-ed/pros-and-cons-of-allowing-digital-devices-in-the-classroom/  

Blogging in my Future Classroom

I have many ideas flowing through my mind when it comes to my future classroom.  One of them is having a classroom blog.  This would be a great resource to have because it will keep my students and parents informed about classroom events/news, homework, assignments, and a book list.  I also want to take pictures of my students during projects and/or activities and post online so students and parents can see pictures in the classroom.   I will also have my contact information on the classroom blog so if homework help is needed or parents need to contact me about a question or concern, I am just a click away!