Technology Podcast

I have created a podcast to record a few of my students discussing with me the different technology they use in their everyday lives. Either at school or at home and how often they use these technologically advanced tools. Let me know what you think !:)

http://katiev14.podbean.com

21st Century Skills

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills had a lot of great information that was new and old to me. A lot of which was posted on the website is information that as an educator we have been taught in professional development and in different staff training seminars. It is very important to continue teaching the core curriculum and basics of education, but in order to keep the students engaged and interested new ideas and technology need to be incorporated into the classroom. As a lower elementary school teacher, my students come in with a great knowledge of how to use computers and technology. Many of them know more about it than I do. I think that if the 21st century is going to surpass the knowledge of the teachers, then the school systems should give teachers the opportunity to get familiar with technology.

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

Using a Blog in my Classroom

I think that a classroom blog would be beneficial not only for my students, but for the parents of my students as well. I would keep it updated with the information of the week and what the students will be learning. I teach 2nd grade, so when using a blog with younger students I think that it would be used more as a tool for the parents. I would have the weekly spelling words and the topics of each subject that the students will be learning. I will also update it with helpful links to math and language arts sites that will help the students get a better understanding of that subject/topic.

I would like to try and incorporate shared thinking through the classroom blog. Posting questions that are related to the weekly assignments and having the students share their responses on the blog. The only concern I have with using a blog as a classroom tool, is that not all my students have computers or the internet at home.

As a teacher using the students responses on the blog could help me gain a better understanding of the students train of thought which could give me insight on areas of strengths and weaknesses.

Sept.13th

Welcome to my first blog. My name is Katie Vogelei and I am a 2nd grade teacher in GA. I am creating this blog for my Masters class EDUC 6710.