November- Why Wireless?

Why Wireless, was a blog written by a teacher at a high school in Colorado. His principal had asked him to write an article for their newsletter eplaining why the school has decided to go wireless. In turn he posted his article in his blog. I think it is a great idea for high schools to go wireless and let students use their own personal computers. If kids can bring their own computers, then it opens up the school computers for students who don't have laptops. I think it is also a great idea because at most colleges students are now taking notes on their computer, so this gives the high school students extra practice.
I also agree that through this students can now access students in other schools. However, I do worry about the students using the internet for the wrong reason while at school. According to the blog the high school has "high expectations for our students, to educate them to behave ethically, responsibly and safely and then expect that they will do the right thing." I think going wireless will benefit the students in the long run and I don't think the parents or other teachers have anything to worry about. It will be good practice for the students, for their future.

Pictures with Modifiers in IMG Tag

FischBowl-September

I agree that every teacher should know something about technology. If a teacher knows nothing about the computer then they are holding back their students. Technology is never going away, and educators need to embrace it. They need to know what their students are learning about computer use and keep up. Technology can be a great teaching aid and if you can't use it then your students are missing out. One can not get by without the least bit understanding about computers.
So much is starting to be used. Gradebooks and even lesson plans are now being computer generated. No longer do teachers need to write in a gradebook and figure out averages and curve grades, all they have to do is enter it into the computer, and it does it for you. If a teacher can operate a computer and figure out a gradebook, they are missing out. Technology is a part of life and it is not acceptable for educators to not get a basic understanding. They need to use these materials in the classroom so that their students are getting the best education possible. If students don't get the oppurtunity to use the computer, they will one day also be missing out. One can not get by, if they can't use a computer properly.

International

Mr. Lietze in New Zealand keeps a class blog. His class includes 6 to 7 year olds. On his blog he post things the students have done. For example, they wrote a christmas story and he filmed the pages and you hear the students reading them. Parents can click on their childs name and find post involving them. He has pictures from a field trip and included comments from the kids on what they enjoyed. He also includes useful links for his parents to access. He had also posted a letter from a former student who has moved to the U.S. Click here to view Mr. Lietze's blog.

The next blog I could not locate the teacher's name, but it was a Year 2 class in Geneva, Switzerland. In her blog she includes experiments they have done in class with procedures and pictures. She also has a section where you can click on a students name and find the posts they are included in. She has write ups about other lessons they have done and the kids art work. To visit her page click here.

Schools that use Blogs

Mr. C's Fifth Grade Class at Noel Elementary School in Missouri keeps a blog. Not only does Mr. C have a blog but so does everyone in his class. He uses the blog to post vocabulary word and definitions. He also uses his blog to post graphs and other information that may be useful for his students. There was also a slide show of his students working on an experiment. He also post questions and the students must write there own blog and answer the question and then he picks the best response.
Here is a link to his site: Mr. C's Class Blog
Mrs. Sian of Larson Elementary in Harrison, Michigan keeps a blog about her kindergarten class. Parents can easily go on and find out what their kids have been up to. She has video taped her kids reading stories they have written and posted the video. She has also typed stories that they wrote and posted them. She also has a class schedule and calendar so parents can easily access the information. She post pictures of the students doing various activities. She has made her blog very useful. No long do parents have to wonder what their kids did in school, today. They even have a class dog named Lucy and has her picture posted!
Here is a link to her class blog: Mrs. Sian