Blog Post 10

What can we learn from Mrs, Cassidy?

Little People... Big Potential

    In this video, Mrs. Cassidy uses her class to explain how she uses technology in the classroom. The students explained that they prefer doing blogs over formal writing assignments. The students enjoy them because anybody from around the world can comment on their writing. Also, the students' families can comment on their posts. Some of the other sources that she uses are the class webpage, wikis, videos, Skype, and Nintendo DS. The students like using the technology, because it is something different than busy classwork.

Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1

    In this video, Mrs. Cassidy describes the way she uses technology in the classroom. She explains that she got funding from the federal government for professional development, in technology. Mrs. Cassidy has a classroom blog that the students use daily. She then explains that the use of video helps when teaching her students. When she uses her students' names, on the internet, she only uses their first names and mixes up their pictures where they are not by the right name. Mrs. Cassidy gave us a tip, we have to keep changing with the technology. She explains that her students' writing is better when used in a blog post, because the students know they have an audience. She also explains that Twitter is a good way to find resources. And her ending note for this video is that, as teachers, we have to always keep learning. 

Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 2

    In this video, Mrs. Cassidy continues her points from the previous video. She explains that when making a technology plan for the classroom; start with what you love, like photography or music. Then, she explains that Personal Learning Networks are a good resource as well. Twitter is a good way to start a PLN. There are also other websites that can be used when forming a PLN.

Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 3

    In this video, Mrs. Cassidy finishes her interview. She explains that her students blog at least once a week, in the computer lab. Some of the students blog more because they want to blog outside of class. One of the students, from the EDM 310 class, asked if there is more cheating when technology is used, and Mrs. Cassidy explained that when looking at someone else's work on the blog is not necessarily cheating, but collaboration. As stated in one of the earlier videos, Facebook, like Twitter, can also be a good resource to find educational help. She thought her students to only use their first names, do not post pictures, and never post mean comments, on the internet. And lastly, Mrs. Cassidy explained that she teaches her students to be safe on the internet, by showing them safe places to find information.

    Mrs. Cassidy likes to use technology in the classroom, because her students seem to excel when they know they have more than just her as an audience. In my future classroom, I plan to use her idea of only posting first names, for my students. I would not post any pictures of them, because it would be safer than mixing up the pictures. When using technology, in the classroom, I think one of the things that I will have to address is that my students will get off topic and play noneducational games. I would address this by speaking to the class on how important it is to stay on topic and learn as you play. I would benefit by using her approaches, because my students will be prepared for a world that uses a multitude of technology.