Post 8

How are things going so far?

So far things have been going pretty well and I have learned about a lot of different ideas for using technology in the classroom. I am overwhelmed at times with all of the different projects but I think they are benefical. The most important concept that I have learned so far is the different sites that have been given to us because I think that they are all great and going to be very helpful. The least important concept I believe is the wiki notes. I think that it's a great idea for some people but I would rather just look at my own notes rather than everyone elses because it's easier for me to remember what I typed/wrote rather than what I just read from someone else's notes.

Internet use in the elementary classroom

Part 1
I think the pros of using the internet in an elementary classroom are that the children get to experience the use a computer and figure out how to use it in the early years of their schooling. I also think it is a great tool for learning in general because there are so many different learning games and activities available for young students so why not use them.
As far as cons I think that some parents may not want their children using the internet at school because they may not think it will be monitored closely enough. Also it could allow the students to become off task and do something that they aren't supposed to be.

Part 2
The link above is one of my new favorite sites. It's one actually that some of us had to look at in class on Thursday. It's really cool in the fact that you can find a lesson activity for your students on any topic and it allows you to share your lessons with teachers and students from all over the world.

What Kindergarteners Need To Know

I thought the article was interesting. I understand that teachers need to have guidelines but really do they need to have a 90 page guide? After all of the training teachers receive and experiences that they have they still need to have this manual that tells them what they probably already know. I think that having some sort of guide with all of the expectations that kindergartners need to know and be able to do is a good idea but I don't think that it needs to be 90 pages. I think all references are great and are there to help and support teachers and keep them more organized, but the one discussed in the article is a little extreme.