My classroom is full of 6 year old children so I won’t be using blogs for them to talk with each other.  They need to make social connections face to face with their teachers and fellow students.  Part of what school is about is learning to get along with 20 other people in a community of learning, playing, taking turns, and waiting.  However, I see how I may be able to use Facebook to interact with my students’ parents.  Although many of them (roughly 50%) don’t have computer access on the internet, it is still a viable tool for those who do have access.  Conference threads could take place which would be extremely helpful for making positive comments and pointing out difficulties with students during each day.  Oftentimes I am unable to create notes to parents when their child has a particularly good day or bad day simply because I am busy teaching and can not take time to stop instruction to write a note.  You can not just put the kids on “hold” to do anything when they are sitting before you ready to go on to the next thing.  So, I could keep in touch after school when things have calmed down and I can reflect in peace with time to communicate clearly.  Telephone conversations are hard to manage because of varied working hours, screaming children in the background, busy schedules, etc.  I would love for all of my parents to have access to the internet and actually use it for communication.

     There is a real need for students in upper grades to use the blog tools available.  Journaling is very doable, here. So often they do not have anyone ready and willing to listen to them.  Teachers can feel better that even though a paper journal may be compromised, an internet thread (like e-mail) can be private.  Teachers can be creative.

My idea of technology has always been linked to machines or electronics.  The computer, video and dvd players, remote control devices, video games, cell phones, fax machines, and the like were what I have considered technology in the past.  Now, I am learning that  technology can be any tool, system of doing, or devise used by humans or animals to accomplish a task.  It is a very broad concept that I am still thinking about.

In my first grade classroom I connect literacy and technology through pencil, paper, computer, books, video, poetry charts, and other items to communicate through reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Students are involved in learning how to read and write all day long in different subject areas.  That is the central focus of first grade-Reading and Writing!  Math is also important but it is also focused upon reading symbols and words and using technology through manipulatives both on the computer and in the classroom.  Literacy and technology go hand-in-hand to educate my students to be successful in the world around them now,and in the future.