Little Kids... Big Potential
I think this is an amazing video. I wish every school was able or propelled to have classrooms, such as this one, at least one in every grade level. I thought it was such a blessing for this class to have access to all the computers and technology and be able to use them. Not many schools can afford this.
For these students to just be first graders they are already technological advanced. When I was in first grade, my family did not even own one. I remember playing stick and a blocks game on a family members, but that was the extent of my knowledge of computers. I think that schools should do everything they can do get students computer savvy, because it will be a huge part of their future.
Ms. Kathy Cassidy Skype Conversation 2/17/10
This was a video of a Skype conversation between Ms. Cassidy and Dr. Strange. Dr. Strange started the conversation by asking her how she got started in technology and how long she had been doing it. Ms. Cassidy replied by saying ten years and that she had been given five computers, but she could not put any programs on them. This in turn sent her on a technological journey to learn about webpages, blogs, etc. She claims she has a lot of support from parents, administrators, and that divisions technology coordinator. He of which has helped her a lot and encouraged her blog and what she is doing with these students.
She has several comments on what she thinks about some of Dr. Strange's students views on technology in the classroom. She believes and clearly states that they are wrong. Technology is not going away and that they would be handicapping their students as well as themselves.
Dr. Strange refers back to his two questions. The first one is , "Do you believe all teachers should be technological literate?" I love her answer to this question which was if you can only do spreadsheets and word processing that is not technology today, that was twenty year ago. Teachers should continue to learn because technology is constantly changing. The questions the students asked her were pretty good questions. The one that was asked about the students safety and privacy on the internet would have been one I would have asked.
This was a great Skype interview. I think it would have been more beneficial for students to have been assigned this to watch before we were assigned our Skype interview.
I think the kids in Little Kids....Big Potential was amazing as well!! However, my favorite was Ms. Cassidy's comment to Dr. Strange's question. Of course teachers should be technologically literate!!!! Spreadsheets and Word Processing will not get you far in today's world! If you sit back and refuse to accept technology you will be easily surpassed!!
ReplyDeleteLeslie,
ReplyDeleteI agree that these kids are technologically advanced, and I definitely was not at their level when I was in first grade. I too wish that all schools could afford technology in the classroom. I think if good equipment was actually available more teachers would want to use it. Ms. Cassidy is an excellent teacher, and my class really enjoyed skyping her. She gave some excellent answers, and I think everyone can learn something from her. I hope that if I put in a situation like Ms. Cassidy, I will have the energy and determination to make my classroom better for my students.
I agree. Word processing, power points, and spread sheets are not twenty first century technology. By now, these are primitive tools. And yes, we should continue to grow with our knowledge of technology as technology grows around us. I hope that we have the motivation (after this class) to continue learning about technology...to continue to see that technology in an extremely important part in our teaching escapades.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!