A reflection...

As I continue my week about evaluating sources and thinking about what I have learned so far many things come to mind. First, I had an idea as to how I could use blogging in my classroom. I thought about using blogging as a center during my 3 group rotation during my reading block. Since I have "Treasure Time" built into my schedule for small group time, I thought I could have students blog about the LA topic we covered during whole group. They could talk about what they understand and what they are still confused about. My thought process is that I could still have one group with me doing reading groups, one blogging about a topic, and the last group at either their center or another independent activity. The only concern I have is that I have one computer in my room for both student and teacher use. Since I have a mini lab with 8 computers outside my door I could set my parent volunteer up with the blogging group to help supervise. I am not sure how it will actually work. I think it would be a trial and error situation but at least giving it a shot would be worth it.

I am found blogging to be fun and a great way to connect to others. I like the ability to post my questions, thoughts and frustrations because I can get instant feedback from others. I am going to try to keep up with blogging as the semester goes along. I am really interested in how I can use this in my room along with a few other sites like Flickr and Pixie. Although Pixie would require the school purchasing it....which may never  happen. My goal is to continue to find ways to incorporate technology into my classroom so that my lessons are interactive all while teaching to the students of the 21st century.

Restrictions, Restrictions, and more Restrictions!

It totally amazes me what my district blocks and what they freely let flow in. Today I tried to search from a few blog and wiki sites but was unable to locate any because they are blocked by the firewall. It is so frustrating when you are told to incorporate technology into your curriculum but so many great sites are blocked. For example, I can go to Kelly's Kindergarten and pull from it whatever I need. I can go EI Child and print labels for my classroom. BUT if I try to go to Google, a blog like Chalk Talk (which is a Kindergarten teachers blog) or the Kindergarten Wiki it is totally blocked. The big red stop sign comes up and tells you that you need to leave the site immediately and it is against employee policy for you to visit this site!

 I just don't get it. I get the need for filters but when you start filtering too much out then trying to have students search the web becomes not only frustrating but at times, a waste of time. Or at least it feels that way. It seems as the more I learn about decisions my district is making or has made, the more I wonder how many of them are able to do what they are asking us to do. I am pretty sure most of them sit in their offices forgetting what it is like to be in the classroom.  It is so upsetting and discouraging when you try to plan fun and new ways to teach your students and the resources you want are blocked. I'm sorry that this became a venting session but sometimes you just need to let it out. Thanks for listening!

Flickr and Assistive Technology

After reading about Flick these past few weeks during class, I have thought of many new lessons for my students. I am starting to feel more comfortable adding technology to lessons I have previously taught. I would love to get away from doing a lot of printing at school simply for the fact that the ink is so expensive and we have to get permission to print to the color printer! Flickr would allow me to create digital memory books to commemorate their journey in Kindergarten. I love taking pictures but until I learned about Flickr I had no idea what to really do with them. I have so many ideas that I can't wait for our first field trip on the 24th so I can try Flick out!!

Another topic explored this week was assistive technology. I feel so out of my element with this topic. I guess because most of my students are younger and their disabilities haven't been too extreme, I have never used this type of technology. I honestly wouldst know where to begin if I had to use any with my students. This topic makes me feel lost and scared at the same time...mostly for the unknown. I did get a great tip though about a possible answer to my brothers LD by a site I visited. I added the link to this posting if anyone is interested in math & dyscalculia. Thank you Brittany and Dawn for the great resource! As for assistive technology, I will continue to learn and hope that when the time comes for me to use them, I will know how. Ultimately, I want to make sure I can help my students learn-no matter what or how that is!

Have I blogged before?

I am new to blogging...at least I think I am. It all depends on the opinions of others I guess. I have a website where I post pictures,videos, and updates about my son. We have had it since I was pregnant. I read the book Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.  I write journal type entries to update family around the country about happenings in his life. They can respond and leave posts about it. They can also subscribe to the updates and are emailed each time I update the site.  I wonder if this site would be considered blogging? If so, then maybe I have been blogging for 3 years and didn't even know it. How cool would that be??