Integrating websites into the classroom

The site I researched and looked into is called SweetSearch4Me : http://4me.sweetsearch.com/info/about

This site is to help younger learners research things, and gives them a little easier and less complicated understanding of the web. This site targets K-8 grade students, and is a great source to use in a classroom or at home on your own. SweetSearch is a safe and reliable source for everyone, however it is extremely beneficial for kids and teens. It only searches sites that teachers, librarians and adults approve of, so it is not a dangerous tool to use. This site is extremely easy to navigate and is very specific and direct into what someone is specifically teaching. 

Question 1: This site could be used in the classroom in many different ways. This would be a great opportunity to use as an introduction the the Internet and how to browse the web. Students could have "computer time" and all research something they are learning in class currently or research a specific topic that the teacher assigns. 

Question 2: This site extends learning opportunities greatly in many ways, in and out of the classroom. Once taught how to use a computer, and given the site name, students could easily use this website at home to research and look up whatever they want. Parents can feel safe with their children using this site because it only provides information that is approved and acceptable. This is a great introduction for young learners and a great introduction to browsing the web! 

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In class response

Out of the six projects, my favorite was the first one regarding the health project for the first graders. I thought it was extremely creative and sounded like something any first grader or elementary student would enjoy. It allowed the students to do a lot of "hands-on" work and get involved within groups and experience a variety of different things that keep you healthy. Also I loved how at the end of the project they actually got to be the "specialist" and teach everyone what they had previously been taught. In Bloom's pyramid, this project represents the levels of comprehension and synthesis. I thought this was a great way to teach kids how to stay healthy, and overall helps them in the future with the eating and physical choices they make. The only thing I would improve about this project would be the format of how it looked on the website, but that doesn't apply to the actual project, so I have no complaints! Print Page in IE

Reading Response #2

Quality telecollabrotive projects help develop students’ critical thinking skills in many ways. It helps develop friendships and builds team bonding and allows students to work with others and bring new ideas to the group discussion. Collaborative work also helps students problem solve and helps them figure things out on their own. For example in article one it states, “Part of what students are learning in a group project is how to negotiate differences and deal with other people to reach a common goal.” I think that is a great thing to learn, because all throughout life, people are confronted with this problem and it only helps benefit you as a better person in the long run. The two top levels and factors of Blooms pyramid are synthesis and evaluation, and those help students “judge the effectiveness of writing objectives, and design a classification scheme for writing that combines cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains.” Telecollaborative projects help students learn in only positive ways and only benefit them in the future. Bloom’s taxonomy is a great source and is educational in so many ways, and I don’t see how there could be any negative or bad effects of it. It helps students grow and individuals and problem solve, resolve conflict and so much more!

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In my previous education, I don't really remember using computers or technology before middle school. The first time I actually remember using a computer was when I was in 7th grade, and was in an "Intro to Tech" class.  I learned the basic techniques of typing without looking at the keyboard and keeping my fingers in the correct places. I remember absolutely hated that class, and thinking how pointless and boring it was. Little did I know how important that class was and how beneficial it ended up being in the long run. That class helped my computer skills greatly in the long run, and I am so glad I took it. After that class, I took a few other classes in high school that were a little more intense and difficult. Those classes taught me a lot more advanced and intense procedures with the computer. I learned a lot more about social networking and all the different applications the computer had to offer. I think learning computer skills at a young age is extremely important and should be taught at every school.

I would love to teach 2nd grade, and in my classroom I would definitely love to use computers and integrate that into my students lives and curriculum. I would set it up as a weekly exercise and have stations for the students so they could improve on their computer skills. I would have them do typing skills, memorization skills, and other fun activities, just so they get a feel for the computer and feel more comfortable with it. I feel that this would allow the students to feel more confident on the computer, and with themselves in general.The students would use these skills later in life in many ways, let alone in multiple ways in the classroom. I would have them do simple activities on the computers, such as typing activities and other simple tutorials. I would have them check in to the computer once a week at home and have them complete a simple assignment. This will help familiarize them with the computer and doing assignments online.


Technology this day and age just keeps progressing and growing, and I can not even imagine what it will be like in the future. I feel after reading the assignment and with my own thoughts, that technology is growing in a positive way. I feel that the most difficult part about this class will be keeping up with all the stuff and making sure I stay on top of things! I get very overwhelmed with things when we move to fast and I feel that I will get completely lost if I don't keep up! I am nervous that if I cant keep up with every single step, then I will be lost in the rest of the class. I think that creating my blog is fun, and I love the creative part of all of it, however I do get a little confused with a lot of the steps and sometimes feel lost. Soon I bet I will get more comfortable with it, and it will all be easier, however I am just waiting for that day to come! I do not know really how I feel about the rest of the technology used in the class, I do have somewhat of mixed feelings but I feel once I get the hang of it, it will all become much easier! Print Page in IE