Blog Post #11

Ms. Cassidy's Class
I was very impressed with Ms. Cassidy's video and the amount of technology that she uses in the classroom. You could tell just by the video that the students loved blogging and learned a lot from their blogs. It was obvious that they were learning grammar and writing etiquette at a young age. Her students seemed to be excelling in the class and wanted to do better on their own. I believe that there motivation to learn and do better comes from their independence and hands-on-experience in the classroom.
One technique that I would like to use in the classroom would be the use of NintendoDS. Children play on DSs all of the time and to provide them an opportunity to learn educational games on theirs' is amazing. Also, incorporating what they like and use daily into the classroom is such a good way to get the students' attention. The problems that I foresee with using Nintendos in the classroom here are accessibility and administration. The majority of schools in Mobile County are Title 1 schools and I know that it is not possible to expect every student to have a NintendoDS. Many students can not afford them and with all of the cutbacks in education the schools would not be able to provide them. Another problem is administration. Even if the students did have access to the Nintendos the schools would not most likely not allow them to be used in class. Administration is more focused on test scores and students sitting in their desk all day to learn;and we all have seen how well that is working out for them. They are not willing to allow students or teachers to experiment with new learning styles or ideas. Ms. Cassidy's classroom seemed extremely productive and very beneficial to the students;however, I feel that it would not be excepted here. After I graduate, I do not plan to stay in Alabama long and I hope to teach in a school that is more open to technology, such as Ms. Cassidy's, in the classroom.