Blog Post #10

First Graders in Mrs. Cassidy's Class
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 1
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 2
Interview with Kathy Cassidy Part 3

In the videos with Mrs. Cassidy, she talks about her use of technology in her classroom. I found it very interesting and I am truly amazed that first graders are blogging, using Skype, and searching the internet for information. Mrs. Cassidy has a very excellent approach to using technology to help her students learn. One thing that I found most interesting is that she collaborates with one of the colleges near by and has the college students comment on the kids blogs throughout the year. The college students leave comments that will help the first graders with their writing skills and the college students get to see the first graders improvements in their writing. The college students even Skype with the first graders at the beginning of the  year so that they can get to know each other a little better. I really thought that was a great way for the students to get outside opinions and encouragement from older students that they may look up to. I will most definitely be using that in my classroom if I can! Another thing that I really liked is that Mrs. Cassidy Skyped with other classrooms to read stories or talk with other students. However, with anything new there comes problems. I think the problems I could encounter would be getting the administration or parents on board with implementing all this new technology into the classroom. A lot of people are scared that the children will be going to sites that they are not supposed to and be exposed to harmful things. I know that those things can be monitored and taught so the kids do not want or think to do those things. The benefits of using technology for learning are endless. Mrs. Cassidy stated that, "kids and technology go hand-in-hand" and they really do. Children are so accustomed to using technology in their everyday lives. I know that I was in the 8th grade when I got a phone and texting and my little sister was in 5th when she first got a phone and texting and it was a smart phone. The world is changing and the way we teach students needs to change as well. I love that Mrs. Cassidy commented on the fact that the techniques teachers used 20 years ago are not going to work on this new breed of tech savvy students.