Blog 11 Little Kids...Big Potential

Little Kids...Big Potential:


I was very surprised at how much technology Mrs. Cassidy exposed her first grade students to! However, at the same time it seems that they responded to it very well. I would consider using blogs, wikis, and Skype in my classroom too, but I think I would be a little weary about using the Nintendo DS as a learning tool. I feel like students can gain a large amount of knowledge working with other students and teachers over the internet, but I am not so much of a supporter of gaming devices in a classroom. I feel like gaming devices and cell phones are in the same category of being a distraction. Now, I might be wrong, because I'm sure many of the games on these devices that are geared for younger children do try to incorporate problem solving games, and there are some games that are even specifically geared to learning how to read, write, and spell, but I would rather see my students work with each other in the classroom setting, rather than independently, on a game consul. Further this is not to say that I would not consider games in the classroom, I would just rather see my students create their own games, or even use the internet and collaborate with others from different school to learn about games that other students have created. Some benefits of using technology with students as young as the ones in Mrs. Cassidy's class ensures at an early age that students will develop good, clear speaking skills and word prossing skills. It also is a great age for students to learn "netiquette", and how to be safe and productive, while at the same time learning while on the internet.