International Schools Using Blogs

The first school I found was in New Zealand, where a class of 6 and 7 year olds use blogs to keep everyone updated on what they do during the year. It had links to each of the childrens own postings, a map of where the kids have visited, and other little slide shows such as their talent show.


In Scotland, the children use blogs to keep track of their two favorite teddy bears that seem to go everywhere. They use the bears to encourage communication bewtween children in grades 1 to 3.

Paper's Future

I agree with the fact that paper is on its was out and that most our information will soon be digital and that is not exactly a bad thing. I love books just as much as the next person, like I said in my powerpoint presentation, there are very few times were I am not reading something, wether it be a magazine, book, or text book. And for me its not the format that it comes in, it is the information. So no matter if I am curled up in bed with a good book or hudled around my laptop, as long as I am reading something interesting I am happy.
As far as students not reading, I don't believe that's entirely correct. I, myself, have been reading to my son, who is now 5, since before he was born and apparently have rubbed off on him cause everytime we go by a bookstore its always, hey mom, I need a new book...lol...his book collection is starting to catch up to my own and I have been collecting a lot longer. I also know that most kids in his class at school feel the same way. They still have the love of books and good stories, it just may be in a different format that what we are not used to.
As for being a teacher in this new age, I think it is going to be wonderful. I have always felt that teaching should be more of the hands on type instead of just reading to your students. The children seem to learn more and have more fun if they can get involved with the lesson instead of just having them read something about it.

Teachers Using Blogs in the Classroom

Grade 4K at Richards Elementary School in Whitefish Bay, WI has started using blogs in there school. They have put everything you could possibly want to know about what is going on in their school on the site. Stuff from what happened on the first day of school to how their favorite football teams are doing. They post pictures, homework assignments, and reminders for all the students, parents and teachers to share. They will also start posting work from the students in a couple of weeks.




Another example of teachers using blogs in the classroom is Mr. C's class at Noel Elementary School in Missouri. Mr. C post videos up on the site and then have the children watch them and make comments on them, there is even a comment from some other kids in another school. There are links to the children's creative writing assignments, stuff they are doing in class, and even a video of the kids just goofing off. You can also find out about the weather and check out the calendar.

Access

Distance Learning is an excellent tool for teaching. It is actually making it possible for one person to be in many places at the same time. As for the students, they are going to benefit the most from this program. I was impressed with the amount of programs that are already offered on the website and with what they are still planning to do. It is neat to think that instead of settling just for the curriculm that is available to you in your area you can reach out and connect with someone else who can offer you new opportunites and adventures. I was born in a small town and would love to go back to that way of life, but I don't because my son wouldn't have all the chances he does here in Mobile, but if this program gives us as teachers and students the ability to connect without leaving where we are, that would be wonderful. I just wish they had all this stuff when I was in high school!

Using Alex in my classroom

Once I become a teacher, Alex would be an excellent way for me to become comfortable with the classroom and allow me the ability to construct my own style of teaching. Knowing the lesson plans are from veteran teachers and have been implemented in classrooms already would allow me to relax and concentrate more on the students and making their learning experience fun and enjoyable. Also the distance learning would be a wonderful way to keep my students connected with the world around them and knowing the kids of today, they would jump at the chance to work with computers; in fact they might actually teach me a few things.
Also, considering I am a parent of a 5 year old who just began Kindergarten, I know that the teacher/parent relationship is an important one and if the parents knew the outline of my lesson plans they could help provide support at home just simply by talking to the child about what they did in school that day. Cause I have found out that my son doesn't tend to share with me what he did in school on any given day, but if I know about things ahead of time, he will talk to me for hours about it.

Alex

The Alabama Learning Exchange is an excellent website for new teachers as well as old. It gives the teachers a connection with each other that is invaluable for creating lesson plans, staying up-to-date on all the latest issues and just being able to help each other out. It is well designed and very easy to use, as you seem to have everything you would need at your fingertips.
The resources provided, such as the lesson plans, are very thorough. They explain everything you would need to know to implement them in your own classroom. Also if there is any information you might need to find out, the website gives excellent links and research materials for teachers as well as your students.

The Future...

All in all, I had two reactions to the movie; 1. It is inevitable and 2. It scares me a little. The fact that it is inevitable doesn't really bother me that much. I have always been fascinated by computers and what they can do. And as far as things being obsolete after we learn them, well I think that is a good thing, because it keeps up learning and evolving as people. What scares me though, is even as great as this new computer age is and will be, we tend to be losing the human side of ourselves. I mean back before email and all, neighbors used to visit one another and actually connect with each other. They would take time out of their hectic lives and stop for awhile; rest, regroup, relax. Now we just shoot an email and keep going, no matter how tired, stressed out, or run down we are! Which cannot be good for ourselves, our children and even our future, because what good is this fantastic future if we are too strung out to enjoy it or if we destroy ourselves before we get a chance to enjoy it?!