Blog Post #10

Ms.Cassidy's videos were very inspiring to me because of how much passion and knowledge she has about what she does. I learned many new things that I can incorporate in my own classroom. Ms. Cassidy showed that you have to work with what you have as a teacher. You must make do with the supplies you are given. She proves that it is not impossible to work with what you have even if you aren't given enough. For example when Ms. Cassidy made good use of only having 5 computers in her classroom. It was awesome seeing such young students so excited about technology and so good at doing it. It amazes me at how quickly the young children catch on and excel at technology. They are more focused and determined with it than I would have imagined.
In the 3 Skype videos between Dr. Strange and Ms. Cassidy, they discussed how they use technology in the classroom. They talked about why they use blogs in the classroom and how it is beneficial to the students' education. I think that it is important for us as future educators to watch videos like this because it is coming from two experienced professionals in the industry already and it can give us so much insight to what to expect and look forward to. Also it makes it all a little clearer for us to understand how to teach since we did not grow up using technology this much in our own classrooms when we were being educated. My favorite part of the technology we are learning would have to be blogging. This is a way for students to express themselves the way they wish and allows for more individuality varying from student to student. Also blogging makes it easier for students, teachers, and even parents to connect outside the classroom. Parents and teachers can keep up with their students first hand and students can interact with each other easily. I feel as if it takes education from a student-teacher relationship only to a more advanced relationship that let's everyone interact and grow with each other.

Ms. Cassidy also discusses the importance of online safety for kids in the classroom. I think this has answered many questions that I have had in mind when thinking about incorporating technology in the classroom. According to Cassidy it is important for the students to learn what information is acceptable to give about themselves and what information does not need to be posted about themselves. Personal information and pictures are very crucial when it comes to the students' safety. It is all part of teaching them technology and how to keep themselves safe when using it, in and out of the classroom.