Using Technologies in My Preschool Class

                Ever since I started this class I have been trying to use new technologies in my preschool class. It has been a struggle at times because resources are limited. However, I have downloaded a number of educational apps to my phone which the students love to use. I have also downloaded books on my phone which the students love to listen too. We have a Facebook page for the center where I work. I personal don’t update it but my supervisor does. This is a way for people to know what is going on at the center. I will continue to try and come up with new ways to use technologies in my preschool room because the kids benefit from them. Many of the students are not exposed to them at home so it is important that they are exposed to them here.

New Literacy

My boyfriend is getting his masters through SU. For one of his classes this semester he had to choose a project. One of his options was to do something with new literacy and how it is used in the classroom. He had to talk about why new literacy was so important in the growing technology age. He is getting his masters Information Management, so choosing this was not his strong suit. However, he used many of the resources found on your blackboard site to help him.  His main focus was on blogs and teachers websites. He was amazed at all the technologies teachers are using in their classrooms. This was a really eye opener for him. Another thing he was shocked about was all the educational websites that were offered out there.

Pinterest

              I have waited to get a pinterest account because I knew that I would always be on it if I got one.  Who knew that this app could be so addicting. However, I am very glad that I have gotten a pinterest. I have gotten so many good activities for the preschoolers I work with on app. I have a whole board for my preschool stuff. There is an education section that I love to look at. The holiday section also has good crafts for kids to do for the holidays. The preschoolers favorite activity that we have done is made peanut butter play dough. I don't have any peanut butter allegories so we could make this edible play dough. The students loved it and it was really easy to make.    

Blogging

        For two my classes I have had to create two blogs. Which, has allowed me to see how to use blogs in two different ways. One blog is more informal and the other blog is more of a literacy blog, which is all about different books. I have never blogged before I started taking these two classes. Overall, I have thought that it have been an interesting experience. I like how easy it is to do. It took a little time to get use to the format but once I did it was really easy. I am looking forward to having my class someday create a classroom blog. This would be something that is fun for the students. It also creates a way for parents to be able to see what is going on in the classroom. Each student would get a chance to update the blog. Students and parents could comment on what the student's entry says.  As the teacher weekly you could update the blog what we are working on. There could be a student of the week and this would highlight something that the student done well. I am very glad that I have gotten the experience to blog.

Focus on Digital Literacy

Recently, I was reading ESM school districts new letter that is sent to people who live in the district. While I was reading it I came across an article all about 21st century Learning. The focus of this article was Digital Literacy. One thing that really stood out to me about this article was a teacher in the district said "We would like our student to be fluent with the technologies they use in their daily lives and able to use them for learning, both now and in the future." This stood out to me because there are so many technologies that can help students. It is our job as their teacher to make these technologies accessible for the students. This will not only help students in our classroom but throughout the rest of their lives.

People In Action

             I teach pre school at People In Action. This is a program that I worked at while I was an undergrad at Le Moyne. Once I graduated my boss hired me on staff to help run the pre school program. I love my job. I work with fifteen students that are between the ages of 2-5. Many of my students are from different cultures. This has exposed me to many new experiences. It is not always easy because most of my studnets speak a different language at home. A few of the students do not speak any English and are learning as we go. It is great when a student learns a new word in English. They are so proud of themselves, as they should be. I believe this job has opened my eyes to all different walks of life. Although many of my students are of different backgrounds we still have a great sense of classroom community. I feel working at this program is a great experience to have and will help me be a better teacher in the future.