Students and Teachers are in what author, Douglas Rushkoff calls a "society of authorship." Students and teachers have the ability to communicate with the world with the Internet. It is definitely a "World Wide Web!" Students are logging on to their Face book accounts and communicating with people across the USA and the World. They are staying connected! Teachers need to keep up with the ever developing technology and with their students!
There are so many technology tools that teachers can utilize in their classroom! I love to use the Smart Board for various educational activities. I have an IPod Touch that contains educational apps for students. Teachers should be using Weblogs with their students to present the learning and projects of the class. Teachers should also be using audio/video casting to showcase their students.
It is extremely important for teachers to teach students how to safely using the Internet. I have several books on Cyber-bullying that would be a great resource on how to identify when there is a problem and how to act correctly when using the Internet. I would model how to use the Internet on the Smart Board and then guide students. I also have permission slips that parents need to check and sign, stating that their child can use the Internet.
Teachers should have blogs because they are a great way to showcase their students learning and work. Parents and families can view the blog and talk with their child about what he/she is learning at school and what events are coming up.
Students should blog their school experience. It is a good way to assess their learning. It is a great way to show a student the writing process and what a finished writing piece looks like.
Please check out http://mrcsclassblog.blogspot.com/ blog! It was mentioned in Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.
It provides information about science activities for the classroom.
This YouTube video address of why teachers should consider using technology in their classrooms.
You make a great point that students are already using this technology outside of school- many times I bring an ipad app or website to them, and they can navigate it better than me. When it comes to technology, I sometimes feel like they are the teachers! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Courtney! I feel like I am the student and need to go back to school when it comes to working with technology! That's why I am so grateful, teachers collaborate. I learn so much from my colleagues and my students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Courtney-my students know more about navigating than me! I am eager to learn and want to use more tech in my classroom and in my lessons but feel that teaching such young children puts a cap on what I can use and how I can use it. How would you use a blog in your classrooms?
ReplyDeleteHi Mari Beth! I know! My students help me learn something new every day about technology! I am going to start simple: my class and I are going to create a blog together and share our projects and learning. I feel a bit limited because I teach first grade and they are just learning how to type. Any suggestions?
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