Digital Editing

I just completed a black history unit with my students that ended in a bag book report project. The students were really excited and so was I. I like teaching my students about black history because many of them have NO idea about its importance. I also really think they really get into it because they feel smarter. Learning about many of the important figures helps them to build more text, self and world connections.

I video taped my students presenting their projects. It took me longer than I thought to complete the digital editing component of the video. However, I really enjoyed it.

One of the things that I notice about this semester is that the more we learn about technology integration the more I try to implement it with my students. Each day, I try really hard to continue to integrate technology into my class. I love it and they do to!

Has any one else had any similar experiences?

Wiki World

Wiki's are a very interesting and new (to me) technology. This technology really encourages us as teachers to use our higher level thinking skills and also to become better users of information. I have never had the opportunity to use a wiki before the past few weeks. I have had the opportunity to view www.wikipedia.com on hundreds of occasions. I always assumed that the information listed on the wiki was correct information placed on the site after the information was researched and found to be correct by a prestigious person with a Phd. I am not sure how, or if I would ever use a wiki in my classroom for my students? I do realize the benefits of my students having access to a wiki.

I have many wiki questions that I would love for someone to be able to answer for me:

Do any schools or districts that you know use wiki's for teacher leadership information?
Do you currently use wiki's in your classroom?
What are the positive effects to wiki's that you have found from using wiki's in your classroom?

Buddy Blogging

Sue gave me a great idea. I love the whole Buddy Blogging idea. I think that is great for students that do not have computers at home. With Buddy Blogging, younger students will be able to develop a wealth of knowledge that I hadn't even thought about. I have never had the opportunity to have any of my students create a technology project where they worked with other students from a different grade level. I think that is a short term project that very well could work if I found an upper grade teacher that would be willing to work with me.

Has anyone else worked on Buddy Blogging project? Do you think it could work?

Vamanos

Yes, I am ready to go! As an early childhood educator, I am very interested in technology that young users take advantage of. As a practiocioner that has a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education I still didn't feel like I could add enough to my profession without learning abouthow students/children get motivated to learn by using technology. I have been getting first hand experience getting my five year old to use available technology and software. I find that of course she is motivated to go on www.disney.com and she instantly learns how to play some of the games without any assistance from her technology driven mom.

More specifically, I am ready to discuss and research how teachers can use blogs to increase students technological activity at an early age. Many teachers do not like to think about having students on the computer when they can't read. What do you think? Do you have you any experience motivating students by using technology? Has it worked?