More detail...

Am I Online?
While searching the internet I found every kind of person, picture, article, and sport...but of all that's found on the world-wide web I was surprised not to find anything about me. I was actually a little bit disappointed (not that I've done anything that I expected to be found online, but I just felt kind of let down.lol). I've decided that I'm going to make my mark...and soon!

My Portfolio
I've started an online portfolio to share with everyone. I've created my portfolio so that my future students, employers, parents, and anyone else can get to see all the things that I want to share with them about myself. It's not always appropriate to begin to discuss your hobbies and favorite pastimes in great detail (with pictures and quotes) in certain settings. Providing people with a webpage to refer to, I'll be basically further introducing myself to people.

Benefits of Blogging...

Parental Involvement

As a future teacher, I am aware of some of the possible effects of parental involvement (or the lack thereof). The concepts taught and learned in class should be reinforced beyond the classroom walls. Blogs enable parents/guardians to be involved in their childs educational experience even if they never step foot into the actual classroom. Some parents arent able to visit the classroom regularly, but a classroom blog can keep parents abreast to classroom activities and events. I visited a very impressive classroom blog called "4K Class blog". If I were a parent I'd prefer such a resource. There are pictures of the classroom, examples of the students work, upcoming school events, and many other resources. I felt as though I was familiar with this classroom in Whitefish, WI, and I've never even been there.

Student Achievement

Blogs are useful as well for students. Sometimes students forget their homework assignments (sometimes even adults forget it too). Blogs help students to exercise their computer knowledge, as well as keep tabs on their schoolwork. They can also compare their progress from the beginning of the school year as well as see other students work. There's a blog I visited called Mrs. Cassidy's blog, and this blog is ideal for the this I mentioned above. Students are able to do many things including seeing video clips of themselves busy at work in the classroom. I love it!!!

Considering the digital divide
I once read an article about the "digital divide", and I was somewhat embarrassed that I hadn't thought about the fact that some technological privileges aren't granted to all people, either they can't or they may not know how. Some people, for various reasons, will probably never be able to visit a classroom blog. How would I keep these parents well informed? As a teacher, my goal is to set up a dynamic classroom blog, and for those who may not have internet access or computer literacy I would personally call them or send them update letters. For the students and parents who do have internet access and computer literacy, everything will be available on our blog. If I form a partnership with the parents, I feel that it works out for the ultimate benefit of the children.

My first attempt...

Like any other experience, there's always a first time. This is my first time blogging, and I'm peculiarly excited. I am currently enrolled in CEP 416 at Michigan State University. Creating this blog is a requirement for the course; however, I plan on using this blog for purposes beyond the course. I want to be able to express my thoughts, and share information I've been exposed to with others. I'm an elementary education major, and in the future, I plan to keep my parents and students informed of our classroom whereabouts and updates as well.



About me...well, I'm a very joyful person. I love to laugh and have fun. Chocolate cake is by far the best cake out there, and it tastes the best on the "rough" days. I enjoy taking naps. Sometimes situations occur in life that we have no control over--you could scream, you could cry, you could sit and contemplate on how to respond, or...you could take a nap and respond more effectively when you wake:-). I love children with all my heart. They have a particular innocence that comes from their lack of exposure to years and years of life, and that's what I love most. I love my family and my boyfriend very much. Once I learn how to post pictures I'll most certainly do so for your viewing pleasure. OK, that's all for now. More posts and blogs and all kinds of stuff coming soon:-)