Working and thinking

I have always enjoyed blogging. I have actually done it for several years. I never thought about all the possibilities of using it with a first grade class. I have actually set up a blog for my classroom http://diggsroom114.blogspot.com. I have spoken with the media specialists to see if there is anyway they can fit in some time to teach my students how to navigate through it. I added a rockyou series of pictures to the blog. I was bummed to find out that rockyou is blocked by Winston Salem forsyth county schools. I hope to find one that is not blocked...but something tells me the school system has it all blocked. I might just have to upload pictures, instead of trying something fancy.



These were the ideas I had on the pretest, on the first night of class: Computer, internet, monitor, netTracker, wiki, blogs, webpages, web portal, PC, MAC, websites, keyboard, email, JPEG, GIF, programs, SmartBoards, webcamera, microphone, mouse, wireless, laptop, desktop, overhead, cookies, spam, history, instant messaging, telephone, cellphone, browser, applications, virus, Adobe, Word, Microsoft, MSN, google, ask.com, webquest, link, web. Granted, we were given a time limit, but that doesn't seem like a whole lot. I am sure that by the end of this class I will have a lot more terms related to technology.

And here is my KWL...can't wait to see all the things I had to the learned section!

Primary Blogs

I keep thinking of ways to use blogs with my first grade class...

http://ubellclassroom.blogspot.com/ This teacher writes the blog and the students respond..

Some teachers also do it this way: have their own blog, and link to individual student blogs"
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337

http://www.2mgems.blogspot.com/

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

After tonight's class, I have been thinking about how do we keep children safe online? I agree with the many benefits of threaded discussions, blogs and email as a way to promote literacy in our classrooms. But, let's be honest, there are freaks out there. So, after reading the article, "I Blog, He Blogs, She Blogs, Do You Blog?" I found this link. One of the many things disclosed in this Act, are parent consents, and what is permitted when consents are not required. I can see this as a resourceful document.

http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm

Another good website is: http://www.ou.edu/oupd/kidtool.htm

But ultimately, I think the more informed we are as teachers and parents, the safer our kids will be.

Let me know what you do to keep your kids/students safe online. I'd like to know...