Blog #8

Halfway Reflection

Now that the class is halfway over, I am starting to see the benefits to using technology in the early childhood program. Some of the things that we do in class, like spreadsheets and databases, I feel at too advanced for some early childhood students, especially younger ones. I am finding somethings that would be beneficial and am learning things that I can use for classroom management. Though I feel that this class is beneficial, I do find myself overwhelmed at times and am not spending much time on the activities but feeling more so that I need to rush through them to get them done. Because of this I feel that I am not gaining as much from them as I should.
Overall, I enjoy using the technology with students and will most likely continue to use it with my own students some day.

Pros and Cons of Internet in the Classroom

Part 1: There are several pros and cons to using internet in the elementary classroom. Some pros include having a multitude of resources at your fingertips and having the ability to access information that you would not normally have access to. If students are completing a project and need to find pictures of their specific topic, the internet is a great place to go. Also, it will be good for students to start early in using the internet so that they will be well prepared for the years when they need it.The cons could include it being too difficult for young children to understand and they may not be able to get the full value from the activities. It could also be unsafe for children to have access to websites without extra attention.
I personally believe that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages of technology in the classroom. Children will gain a lot from differentiated instruction through use of technology. It could also be easier to adapt lessons to fit each child's needs. Depending on the abilities in the class, the teacher could have children participating in different ways. Those that are proficient in using the internet could do a more complicated lesson while those who need help would have a less intricate activity.
Part 2:
So far my favorite website that I have seen from class was webquest because it can be used by both students and teachers. Teachers can find activities and lessons online from other teachers and students can use it as a safe research tool in the classroom for various activities.

What kindergarteners need to know...

After reading this article, I feel even more that standards are being placed too early in schools. I know that it is important but in my experience, students learn several things just from playing. However, because standards are being required as early as preschool sometimes, I think this idea is great. It is a great guide for teachers so that they do not forget the standards. It is becoming more and more pressured for teachers to do well. In some districts, a teacher's job is at stake if her students do not perform well. It is good for students to get into the practice of meeting standards.