"So Tray is in 1st grade and his math homework is all done ONLINE and he doesn't even get a math book, it's online too. What the hell? I am not okay with this!"
My cousin is in for a treat, I think. :)
In class this last week we learned how to set up classroom websites. I'm really excited too! I know I say that every week, but I really am! My husband is a teacher, so I've been showing him what we've been doing. I'm persuading him to set one up for his classes. So far he's impressed and seriously considering it. Yay!
There's so much one can do with a website. It makes class activities, events, expectations, announcements, and homework assignments available at the click of a mouse. The website completely eliminates the excuse of, "I didn't know" or "I didn't hear you say..." because it puts the responsibility of one's education into their own hands. Having a website full of information also allows parents to know what's going on in their child's classroom. There's no need to guess or question or worry. All the information they could ever want/need (possibly more) is at their finger tips. Literally.
I am definitely planning on creating a thorough and detailed class website and blog. I think it will help the students feel more in control (or out of control if they refuse to use it) and help parents feel more apart of their child's education. It will offer the community the chance to support their local school as performances and events are posted. I also plan to utilize one of the other great inventions...the digital camera. I plan to have the classroom secretary take pictures at events and performances to post on the blog and website. I think this will help students feel more apart of a group as they see themselves and their friends online through pictures.
This will also allow parents and students to stay up with the class if there are family emergencies, family vacations, sicknesses, or other issues that arise during a school year. All they have to do is check the website for topics discussed, homework assigned, etc. They'll be able to download/print assignments and handouts and submit them via email or drop them off each morning. There are so many possibilities! And if the parents are like my cousin, and prefer to meet face-to-face, they can schedule an appointment through the website to do so. This way they get what they feel is important (face-to-face time) and I am able to utilize my knowledge and time as efficiently as possible (rather than emailing or playing phone tag to get an appointment scheduled).
This is really a great tool for everyone involved. Even better, we're saving trees and money by utilizing the blessings of technology.
With the wonderful conveniences offered through having a class website/blog, using cellphones, iPods, etc. I can't help but think of some of the potential problems which may arise as well. One of my biggest concerns is that we are turning ourselves into breathing computers. I am concerned our society will lose the ability to be social, to have conversations using our mouths not just our fingers because we rely so heavily on text messaging, emailing, skyping, etc. We're slowly losing face-to-face contact. Are video games the future playground for our children?! I hope not.
I am also worried about students being side-tracked with their phones, iPods, computers during class time. I, as a teacher, will not be able to monitor what students are looking at, listening too, and participating in.
This is why I feel it is important to balance technology with socializing. Group assignments, presentations, and other things allow students to really take advantage of technology without losing the ability to connect as a human, one with another.
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