Blog Post #10

                                                                        Kathy Cassidy
                                                                   Canadian Classroom

        Kathy Cassidy teaches 1st grade students in Canada and struggled to be successful while facing limitations at first. Mrs. Cassidy was not given a a choice but to be resourceful since the technology she was given was not allowed to install programs onto the computers. She had been working on a classroom blog, at the point of this "Skype " conversation, for 5 years. The children are making great strides in learning through technology, the ability to use devices such as Nintendo DS to help with reading or math has been very helpful with this. The students are given online time during the class, with these computers not being able have downloadable software are able to chose from an approved list of games or lessons to help with reading and math. I find it interesting the way that she introduces Wiki pages. In the video Little Kids... Big Potential, she shows how the student will use wiki pages to get information by a group larger than herself and immediate family, or even reading the definition out of a book. She had them create a Wiki page about defining traditions, each page had a place for their name, the occasion, and to describe their tradition. Not only does this teach them what a tradition is, it is also giving them international cultural experience.
         The ways Mrs. Cassidy urges the fact that to start adding technology for older students, it is best to allow them choose the way they broadcast information. Some students will enjoy writing blogs, maybe some creating videos, or even posting pictures. For students, you need to ensure that the student has interest in what they are doing. In the response for younger aged students, it is important to give them a wide variety of experience.
          Protecting students is key, especially younger students. It is important to make sure they know to only post their first name and never include a picture directly associated to their name. With that being said, ensuring that students understand not to click on ads or pop-ups and knowing that while in class, the only sites that should be visited are educational and approved by the teacher. Mrs. Cassidy is very inspiring on the use of technology in the classroom. The fact that she understands that blogging or other activities do not need to be weekly activities, but simply when they are pertinent to the lesson.