I really enjoyed watching this interview as well as the video about what she is doing with her classes. I think that blogging will be important to me as a teacher. If there is a way I can incorporate it into my class, I would definitely do that. I think it would be a great way for students to view facts and opinions of other peers that could potentially be thousands of miles away. I think it would be more than helpful for students to see the work of others to help find ideas where they can improve.
I also agree that collaborating with other people shouldn't be viewed as cheating. It is our job as future educators to teach them what cheating/plagiarism is, and how it differs from correctly citing and using information that is not theirs. I want to use the internet in my future classroom because I believe it can enhance my teaching and therefore, enhance student learning. For example, I primarily want to teach history; If I am teaching American History, I could use twitter to find historians, educators, and other experts in that field. I could gain valuable information from them. Also, I'm sure there would be plenty of people on various topics that would love to share their information with students. I could even conduct a class skype interview similar to the one I just watched.
This is great that you are considering using some of the ideas that Kathy Cassidy used. I'm sure that you will get an opportunity to incorporate blog usage in your classroom. As a teacher you have to be the one to suggest new things that would encourage technological usage in your classroom.
ReplyDeleteKevin,
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me at how far ahead of the game Mrs. Cassidy's first graders are compared to the first grade classes here in Mobile County! It goes to show just how much we undermine a child's intelligence! Also, I love Mrs. Cassidy's ideas on collaboration! As teachers, I think we should encourage interaction as much as possible, in order to teach kids how to work together!
Keep up the good work!
- Allie