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! 

Setting up my classroom blog!

Setting up my classroom blog was an easy experience.  I went onto Blogger.com, and set up my blog without any problems.  I was disappointed because I would have liked to see more options for layouts and designs for my blog.  I am happy because it is easy to use and access anywhere.   I feel comfortable using it and it's relaxing writing this on my couch with my tablet.  Many teachers do not always keep up with classroom websites or blogs, but this website makes it easy enough to keep up with and update it daily and/or weekly.  This is a great tool to have in any age classroom!