Blog Assignment #11

1. Ms. Cassidy's 1st grade class
This video shows how these students are learning early how to use technology in the educational career. They are learning how to outsource for information through using their website, wiki, and skype. I also like how they are using the Nitendo DS as an educational tool. My little sister, Skye, has every version of the DS to date. The latest that she has is the DSI. With each DS, she is able to do different things. Nitendo has a wide variety of educational games for youngsters and adults alike. Skye has games which build her math, reading, and writing skills. She also enjoys using the build in software to make and edit videos and pictures. She is also able to connect with others through her DSI. I think it is great to incorporate technology readily available to kids in their education. While most kids don't have a personal laptop to study with, they do have game systems and handheld system at their disposal. Why not make play time productive?

2. Skype discussion with Ms. Cassidy
In this discussion, Ms. Cassidy discussed how she actually got into using technology in her classroom and how it has grown throughout the years. I think it is smart to incorporate technology education in the education of children from at the start of their educational career. This allows them to grow with the technology. They are the technology generation. It is available to them; it would be negligent for educators not to use the best tools available for their students. Though I am planning to teach on the high school level and teach members of the military, I think the incorporation of technology would be similarly beneficial for those I will teach. I would encourage my students to outsource for information and utilize the technology available to them. When I teach the military as opposed to teaching on the high school level, the technological incorporation will obviously be different. The military is obviously made readily available to the most up to date technology. (Fun fact: Skype was originally developed for military use) They will have to use it in the future; so, it would be reckless for me to not make my students comfortable with technology. The same can be said for students on any level. This is a technology based age. People will encounter technology throughout their life. They will need to learn to utilize technology and become comfortable with technology sometime. Why wait? Students can benefit greatly from having these technology as a part of their education. Why deprive them of the advantage?