Blog 8

This is a good video that helps with teaching. Teachers obviously need to have top-knotch classroom management skills if they want to succeed. So, they need to worry about discipline in the classroom. If they do not have the respect of the children, proper classroom climates are difficult to achieve. A video like this one gives teacher more time to TEACH students and does not waste time in the classroom on meaningless things, but content required for success later in their lives. This would be useful to other educators, because it teaches teachers/gives them expamples of how to deal with discipline issues and gives examples of constrictive strategies in the classroom. I liked this :)

Blog #7

So how are things going???? Now that you've made it half way, what are some of your thoughts on using technology in early education? &/or what's the most important lesson/concept you've learned so far?

Things are going pretty well in class, however, I am quite overwhelmed every week with a lot of work to do. It's a beneficial class with TONS of new ideas being brought to me every period. I definitely have learned a lot regaurdng the use of computers and the internet and relating it to my future career as an educator. I love the websites that will be available to me as a teacher/ someone preparing multiple lesson plans and spending so much time preparing for the classroom. I've learned how to use a MAC, and honestl, that's an accomplisment in itself :) Imovie was really neat, I feel a lot more confident using the computer, as well as more advanced programs.

Blog #6

Part 1- There are many pros and cons to internet use in the classroom. With the current day in age, technology is increasing at fast speeds, and it's vital to keep up with the way society is run. There are MANY ways to use technology to help students learn better, differently, and creatively, as well as teacher management skills. Students can use the internet to have the world available to them as they researcha particular content area. They can play educational games or browse websites and learn their numbers or alphabet. Using specific, appropriate websites, students can engage in learning taking on a different perspective. Teachers also can benefit from using the internet whether it deals with making lesson plans or communicating with parents. The internet allows teachers to grasp ideas and concepts to use with students, instantly. There is SO much available- whether it be bullitin board ideas or cute newsletter ideas or classroom websites. Possibilites are endless! I think internet is a wonderful tool for teachers to fully utilize. THere are obviously cons, like internet safety and properly navigating sites, or losing sight of a world OUTSIDE of gadgets that 'do the work fo you'. However,I think the vast number of pros outweigh thses cons. If I were questioned on this topic, I would state that it is a great communication tools. I can reach parens in ways other then personal contact or phone calls, just one more wya to make sure parents understand why and how I would be teachign their child. I could create websites to boost creativity, and learn and share lessons with other early childhood educators. I feel that there is a whole "new" world to explore and utilize with the world wide web!

Part 2- My website I discovered is educationworld.com. It's very interesting! You can use the internet in your classrom in so many ways. Lots of reative lessons are there for teachers to use, adn there are SO MANY ideas it almost hurts your head. It's amazing- your whole career can be positively affected by the simple website. There are main focuses of this site, under constantly updated headings, like "lesson planning", "professional development", "administrators desk", "technology integration", "school issues", "education world at home", "lifestyle/marketplace", and "early childhoop corner". From purchasing new iems for the classroom to learning to use technology with students, you can spend hours exploring this site to help make yourself a better teacher!

Blog #5: State Standards of Kindergarten

I believe that these stated kindergarten standards have both positive and negative aspects. The ripe age of 6 or so is very important to the development of a child. A stepping stone to life, kindergarten is the place where children learn to prepare themselves for the primary grade levels. Preschool is just what the name indicates, "pre" school. Standards set forth by the state do not need to be as strict or set in stone, that can be acheived at a moderate level in kindergarten. In my opinion, having standards of some sort is necessary to make sure that all students across the state are learning similar things and are on similar levels. Kindergarten is a great place to start OFF on these standards. The children indeed are young, but their brains work in mysterious ways and they are capable of quite a lot. Teachers will have a better idea what to introduce into lessons and have more purposes as to what to prepare the students for.

Though I generally feel positive towards kindergarten standards, there are some negative aspects of it that need to also be considered. Children/teachers may be so focused on "learning" some sort of state specified content that the true education and broadening of perspectives may be lost. This can be effectively avoided, however. If our state sets moderate criteria for teachers to follow, studnets will have the basic skills to use as a base for their learning in first grade and beyond.

Looking through the standards posted on that website, it is evident that this topic is given a lot of thought, time, debate, etc. Throughout their scholastic career, children are constantly required to learn certain things by certain ages. This jsut sets a standard sso all children cna have all the knowldge available presented to them. Not only does this exist in kindergarten, but all the grade levels. If the children are accomodated, they will succssfully learn. Isn't that what we want? The best interest of the CHILDREN, and by "the"I mean ALL!