Technology in the classroom can be “FUN”TASTIC !

Uuuugggghhh! This may be the sound echoing from some classrooms as teachers are asked to implement more technology into their lessons. Thoughts of scheduling time in the computer lab or learning how to use one of those white boards rush through teachers’ minds. Though smartboard and computers are two types of technology being implemented into classrooms across the country, there are so many more additional tools that a teacher may not even consider as technology. Technology is everything from string to a tape recorder to a computer and everything in the middle.

How can technology truly be effective for learning in a manner where students are all over the place in today’s classrooms? The great aspect of this resource is it can be used as another avenue to reach a student. Our responsibility as teachers is to prepare our students for the “real world.” Technology is flooding our society and is growing around the world.

One of the many ways technology can enhance the learning within the classroom is exposing the students to blogging and other web tools. Teachers can utilize a blog for many purposes. Three types of blogs commonly used for primary education is (1) students maintain their own blog that is linked to the teacher’s blog or a central page, (2) Teacher has a blog and the students comment, and / or (3) Teacher and students share a blog. Students can meet other students across the globe using their blogs and other technology resources. An exciting project to attempt within your classroom is working with a program called SKYPE for students to contact other students. An example can be found on Kathy Cassidy – Blogmeister called “Mr Brown Can Moo, Can You?” posted on March 6, 2009.

For more information...

http://primaryweb2.wikispaces.com/blogs

http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337&l=1143592742

http://supportblogging.com/Links+to+School+Bloggers