Céad míle fáilte romhat…that’s Irish for “a hundred thousand welcomes to you!”
Has the increase of technology in our lives made the world a bit smaller? Have teachers brought themselves out of the traditional isolation of their classrooms and opened their doors to a world of information beyond textbooks? Without a doubt, educators need to figure ways to use technology for educational purposes as we work to prepare our students for the world in which they will live and work.
It is important for teachers to think of valuable ways to use technology with students. The blog is one venue. I use blogging with my fourth graders as a means of responding to a question or reflecting on a novel we are reading in class. When I first did this I was happy with the fact that I had figured out one meaningful way to use technology with my elementary students. However, I was surprised with two things to come out of this task. Students were working over the weekend, something normally unheard of, and students were putting more effort into their writing since their classmates would be viewing their posts. From that point on, I have been hooked on thinking of ways to include technology in student learning whenever possible.
I use a class wiki as a starting point for all research conducted online in our classroom and for project-based learning activities. One of the things that makes me extremely nervous about research with elementary students is keeping them safe. One folder on the wiki is dedicated to safe resources for research. It includes a safe Google Search Gadget for students. So, when asked, “Ms. Benedict can I Google…?”, the answer is always yes as long as each student goes through the class wiki. Feel free to check out our class wiki: http://rv4benedict.pbworks.com
From this online class, to my elementary classroom's wiki, to connections I keep with family, friends, and colleagues via Facebook, there is a world of information…literally…at our fingertips. While it may be impossible to keep up with changing technology both personally and professionally, this blog will be a way for me to reflect and make connections with others on the varied paths technology takes us in our lives. Yes, our world has become a bit smaller.
Sláinte! That’s Irish for “Cheers!”
Dia dhuit! We'll stop there because that's about the extent of my knowledge of the Irish language ... as well as what you have posted! The personal touch to the site is very inviting, and I think it's refreshing. As a lover of all things Irish, and foreign languages, your post title is a great hook. It certainly drew me in!
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I can't believe that you blog with your fourth graders. It's inspiring to hear testimonies of successful technology ventures from people that are in the classroom. The use of the safe Google search is a great idea -- something that I would love to use even at the middle school level. How do you link that?
Great site, can't wait to read more! Sláinte!
Cathy, your blog is wonderful. It has so much personality! The feedback you give about your 4th graders blogging on the weekends and putting more effort into their work it awesome! This is what I hoped would happen, so hearing that it really works is inspiring. My thought is that in 4th grade most kids are still very restricted to their internet use, so the added idea of feeling "grown up" when blogging is also a motivator. I'd be curious if middle and high school students would also be as motivated?
ReplyDeleteHave you had any problem with parents not wanting their child involved? I guess, since it is a safe closed site, there shouldn't be too much concern.
UGH, so I wrote you a response and then did not type that "cryptic word" so it never posted! Let's see if I can remember what I wanted to tell you. I think you are great! Even though I do, that was not it- Oh yeah.. motivation, transparency and accountability... Three things blogs(and you as a teacher) do as a result of incorporating technology. The kids are motivated by the work being public and held accountable. Once they see their work is transparent, they want to do better, don't we all? CanI come to your class one day?
ReplyDelete