Blog On!

The article "Blog On: Building Communication and Collaboration among Staff and Students" is by Catherine Poling, an assistant principal in Maryland who was an elementary school teacher for eight years. The main point of the article is how blogging is a very beneficial tool used between students and teachers. It is used to keep communication and collaboration between the students and the teachers. Students use these blogs to submit journal entry assignments and discuss it with their other classmates. They question each others thinking to create more responses and classroom interaction. The article also discusses blogs being used between the staff so that they can keep in communication with each other as well.

I think this article is very significant because blogging is a new form of communication that has started in recent years. When I was a child we did not have blogging available to us. I think it would have been a good way do assignments in school, and I would have enjoyed it. I learned of the different forms of communication a blog can be used for in education. If I had to ask for further explanation on something I would like to know if it is required for all students at this school in Maryland to make a personal blog. I could see a problem occurring with some parents not feeling comfortable having their child create a blog.

After reading this article I would like to use this blogging system in my classroom someday. After creating my very first blog yesterday, I realized what a great tool they are in the classroom. It is a great way of communication. Students are also able to personalize their blog. This is important because students need to have some type of choice of their own that shows their personality and individuality.



Catherine, P. (2005). Blog on. Building Communication and Collaboration among Staff and Students, 32(6), 12-15.

First Graders with iPads?

I read an article I found through the ISTE website called "First Graders with iPads?" by Sara Getting and Karin Swainey. This article is about an iPad test being done on a classroom of first graders. The authors are two teachers who decided to test out iPads as a new way of learning in their first grade classrooms. These iPads were brought into the classroom hoping to see learning improvements in the children. The iPads were used at a particular elementary school in Minnesota that had low reading levels. After using these iPads with the first graders they saw significant reading improvements.

I feel this article is very significant because using iPads in an elementary school classroom is something that has only happened in very recent time. In the past we did not have this kind of technology tool to test out at schools.  It is amazing all of the educational apps that can be downloaded for free that will help children learn. I enjoyed this article because I learned about all the benefits of using iPads in schools, and I also learned of some of the frustrations that come with it. Using iPads in schools can be a major distraction to some children who might see it as a toy. Also when the sound is on an iPad it will cause a major disruption in learning a lesson. I would like to know more about using iPads in classrooms from the points of view of the children in the first grade class. I would have liked the article better if it had direct quotes from the children and what their opinions are about having an iPad in class.

It will be interesting to see if eventually all schools will adapt to teaching children with iPads. If this tool is working so far then it is definitely something we should try to pursue further. When I am a teacher someday I would be willing to try out using iPads in class. I definitely do not want them to be used all the time in class, so maybe just a short lesson of the day could be taught using them. More than anything I would want my students to succeed, and if using an iPad in class helps them to do that then I would be all for it.

Getting, S., & Swainey, K. (2012). First graders with ipads?. LEarning & Leading with Technology, 24-27. doi: ISTE

NETS-T Standards

I have recently read the NETS-T Standards and I am beginning to learn how to use them and relate them to the classroom. The second standard is to design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments. Standard 2c states, "Customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources." I feel strongly about this standard because I have realized that every student learns differently, and it is important that teachers embrace different learning styles.

This standard can be used through an assignment that gives students individual choices of how they would like to complete it. For example, students would all be assigned a general project but decide which way they want to do it. The project could be something where the student is given a choice to either write a story, make a video, make a power point, create a website or blog, or use photography.
 
The article Grow Creativity  discusses creativity and originality in schools. After reading this article I can see how it relates to the standard I chose because the project I would have students do completely brings out originality in each of the students. They are able to express themselves through originality. 

Another article I found that discusses the standard I chose is What Works in K-12 Online Learning . This article talks about how students learn differently. It stresses that there should be multiple ways in which content is presented, multiple ways for student expression, and multiple ways to gain student interest.

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Hello everyone!

My name is Valerie Babek. I am currently a junior at Cal State University San Marcos. This is my first semester here at this University. I am majoring in liberal studies, and I am in an integrated credential program so that I can get my teaching credentials at the same time.

I have always wanted to teach elementary school. I would ideally love to teach third grade someday. I want to become a role model to my students and make a difference in their lives. I want to develop a relationship of trust with each of my students and really be able to connect with them. I will be an extremely happy individual once I get a teaching job someday.

I use technology daily, whether it be my phone or my computer, but I am definitely not someone who needs to depend on technology to get by. Technology has gotten so advanced today, and there is so much we can do on computers. It really is great to use computers to help with homework, writing essays, or looking up information. I enjoy using technology to keep in contact with people through emails and through websites like Facebook.

Overtime I have done many observing and volunteering experiences in elementary schools. Over the last few years I have helped out at two different elementary schools and in three different grades levels. I have volunteered in kindergarten, third grade, and fifth grade. These experiences have been very exciting for me because I have been able to be hands on in the profession I want someday. 

I am very excited to be taking this class and to learn new technology skills that I can use when I become a teacher. 

Valerie Babek