Blog #6

   This website includes information about Mrs. Carta's Kindergarten class. Within this website there is information regarding the schedule, the calendar, academic resources, news and events, and homework. This teacher does a really good job making all of this information available to students and their families at home which allows them to stay up to date even when they aren't in class. Also i noticed that this website does a really good job of highlighting the important information and also providing helpful links to academic resources so that students can be successful in class.
Dallin Elementary School Arlington, MA
http://mrscartaskindergarten.weebly.com/
   In the future within my classroom, I plan on using technology in many ways because it is becoming a very vital part of our society. One specific way that I intend to use in my classroom is through the programs in Microsoft office. These programs will be used to further enhance the learning that is taking place within the classroom by doing projects at home and during class. I will also be using my email a lot to send important information home to parents so that I am sure the parents are aware of the information and the students don't need to worry about losing a letter I am sending home. I also wish to have a website where I can post all of the documents and assignments i am using within class so that students and parents have access to them at home. One thing that I think is really important for communication purposes with parents is sending home a newsletter every week explain what we are learning in class and what their child should be completing at home. I would not only send this home in paper form but also email it to parents to ensure they get this information. I also think it places some responsibility on the students to ensure that they are completing the tasks that I have given them on the newsletter, almost like homework but its all in one place and they have all of the information a week before it is due. I truly believe that communication is the key to success in younger children in elementary school, so my communication with students and parents will be so strong so that I can ensure the most is learned within that school year.
   When we went to the technology sandbox, I was introduced to so many technologically activities that I had never even heard of. If the school that I end up teaching at is granted with access to some of these technological tools, like a smart board, I will be set. If the school does not have the funding for these tools then my teaching will not be affected. I assume with as fast as technology is changing within our society, smart boards will be accessible in every classroom but it is not a necessity. It defiantly will allow my class to be more interactive and provide cool experiences to those students that are in my class because they are able to interact with technology and learn together. A smart board could be very useful in some subjects and then in some it wouldn't be used a such an interactive tool. I am so excited for the future and all of the technology tools that may be available for me to use in my future classroom.