What can we learn from Mrs. Cassidy?
After watching the videos with Mrs. Cassidy I have to say that I have learned a lot about using technology in the classroom. The first video called First Graders in Mrs. Cassidy's Class is a short video that has to do with how her students use technology in the classroom. The main way that they use it is with blogs and according to the students they love it! They said that it is a fun way to understand the material better. The students also said that they use wiki's so that they can communicate with other people, including teachers, and learn information from other people. I also noticed that they use Skype to video chat with other teachers as well.
The last videos were interviews that Dr. Strange had with Mrs. Cassidy about using technology in her classroom. Mrs. Cassidy said that she received new computers around 10 years ago and decided to learn how to be an expert in technology so that she could use the computers for an educational purpose with her students instead of letting them go to waste. She said that she mainly started using blogs with her students around 5 years ago and that the students love it. Mrs. Cassidy says that she is amazed at how quickly the students figured out the technology! I found it very surprising that she really didn't have much help from administrators. They neither discouraged nor encouraged her technology use with the students. She did say that she had other people who supported her in her ventures though. Mrs. Cassidy also talked about how she is very safe with posting things about the students online. She only puts their first name on there and makes sure the parents do not have any issues with their work and videos of them learning being put online. Mrs. Cassidy says that her parents are very supportive and love to see their child's progress online! Finally she discussed how she does not really use technology in her personal life but has been more persuasive recently and has discovered that she can connect with so many people. Mrs. Cassidy says that everyone has a different entry point into technology whether it be through blogs, Twitter, or Facebook. I have learned that signing up with these different social media sites is a great way to build your personal learning network. Mrs. Cassidy says don't knock technology until you try it!
Overall I have learned a lot from these videos. I think it is great that Mrs. Cassidy is using technology in her classroom to help expand her students learning. I also think it is great that using this technology has also expanded Mrs. Cassidy's learning as well because it helps the teacher when they know how to use the technology just as well as the students. Mrs. Cassidy seems to be a great teacher and I applaud her in her use of technology in the classroom! I think everyone should watch the following interviews with her on using technology in the classroom, they are excellent!
Tara,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post about Mrs. Cassidy. I also found it surprising that she did not have much support from administrators. I know she said that they neither discouraged her or encouraged her, but I thought that they would definitely be more encouraging. I also found it interesting that Mrs. Cassidy does not use much technology on her own personal time, although she is constantly using technology in her class.
Great job on your blog post, and keep up the good work!
Thoughtful. Well done.
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