We are in the future

I have never done as much with technology as I have in this past semester of both math and literacy.  I can happily say that as time goes on, I am becoming more comfortable with it.  I do not consider myself technologically savvy at all, but I think that if I explore more and take more risks, I'll learn even more.  I think that what I am most excited about is applying what I have learned about to the classroom.  Students are growing up in an age that is becoming more and more technological and I want to be able to keep up with that.  I want them to have skills that are going to benefit them in the future.  In addition, I want them to be excited about writing and math.  Maybe if a more technological spin is put on these subjects, students who usually are not thrilled about them, will begin to enjoy reading, writing, and math more.  I know I am beginning to enjoy them more!

Wiki Wiki What?

Okay, I am still getting used to the whole wiki thing.  I mean, I like them and everything, I just think I need to do a bit more research.

I am, however, liking the idea of using them for the classroom.  I think that it could be a great way for students to explore in a technological way.  It would be a way for them to enjoy writing and to contribute.  I think that it is also, for the upper grades, a way for them to realize that adding something or creating something on the computer/internet, is not that scary.  It would also be a time to teach (the upper grades) the importance of putting truthful information online, so that it is not misleading.

For the younger grades, it could be a great place for the class, as a whole, to contriubute their learnings (much like a blog).

I think that it could also be a good discussion/catching up place for families.  The Wikispace website allows for educators and even families to begin their own wikis.  It is free for families and educators, but it costs money if you want one for an organization.

I am thinking of relaying this to my family, who is moving to Florida next month, or at least a blog to keep current!

Blogging for the Deaf/Hearing Impaired

Before last week, I never realized that blogging is slowly becoming a big part of the educational world.  I had heard about blogging before, but I never realized that it was already so big.  In the Diane Penrod article, I learned that blogging is giving a new voice to many people, including those with special needs.  In the Kindergarten class that I am student teaching in there is a student who is hearing impaired.  He is not able to recognize the sounds of words, but he is able to understand sign and body movement.  This got me to thinking about where he will be in 5 years. 

As I read in the article, students who are hearing or visually impaired are usually in a unsupportive atmosphere.  They feel that their voices are not being heard and they are at a place where they are outsiders, because they are not hearing/seeing what is going on around them.

From looking on the internet, I learned that those who are hearing impaired blog by just typing or by "vlogging", which is leaving a video, by sign language.  An example of such a blog is The Ear of My Heart.  This is a blog written by a deaf woman named LaRonda Zupp.  In this particular post, she speaks of how she was thinking of stopping her blog/vlog, until her blog was mentioned and cited in a student's master research paper.  She speaks of how this gave her renewed strength to continue her blog.  She sends the message out there to never give up and that even if you are deaf, your voice can still be heard.

As discussed in the Penrod article, those who are held apart from their classmates for having an impairment can feel accepted from their blog writings.  It is a way for them to "develop a voice".  I had never thought about this before and, if I end of teaching higher grades, I will keep blogging in mind to give them ease about their writing and to introduce them to a world where their work will be read and listened to. 

Me, A Kindergarten Teacher?

Well, I am in the second month of my internship as student teacher in kindergarten.  I first found out that I would be student teaching in kindergarten I was not upset, but nervous about being a teacher for students who are that young.  Last school year I was a substitute teacher in this county and whenever I substituted for a kindergarten class, I ended the day very tired and a little frustrated.  My mother asked me, before I began my student teaching, if I was interested in ever teaching kindergarten, and I said no. 

Now, I can totally see myself teaching kindergarten.  In fact, as of now, I would prefer to.  I think, because I am involved with the planning and a great cooperating teacher and IA, I am more invested with the students and the school.  Yes, kindergarten is a tough grade to teach, because the students are entering their first real year of school.  They are coming from very different backgrounds developmentally, culturally, and socially and, as a teacher, you need to keep that in mind.  This is also the age where students are learning to read and becoming accustomed to the alphabet and the different sounds that letters make.  Throw in learning standards, and you have a tough job ahead of you.  I wouldn't have it any other way, though.  I am fully invested in these students and their well being both personally and academically.  I am delighted when they gain an understanding of a concept or strategy and am more than willing to review or teach things another way if the information is not being understood.

The students are at an age where they want to learn and are excited about the activities and things that are being presented to them.

Next semester I will be student teaching in 6th grade, a HUGE jump!  It will be a little harder since I will be coming in at the middle of the year, but it will be an adventure!