"Chatting It Up Online" Students Talk to a Favorite Author by Pamela Livingston

In this article it explains the many benefits that one can get by incorporating technology into the curriculum. One of the things it can provide, is the reaching beyond the four walls and bringing a unique and new learning experience to your students. This article further explains an online chat that was carried out and performed by Pamela herself and her classroom. They used an "author chat" that allowed the students to ask any questions they desired and get a direct and quick response from the actual author. This article offered many tips on how to prepare oneself for an online chat with your students. The first step in attempting to participate in an online chat, is to find the right chat for you and your students. This article used an "author chat" through the Random House Children's Media Group and Talk City. The next step is to register for the chat by providing information about your schools, students, Internet connection, etc. There is much time needed to prepare for this chat as you will need to; reserve a compute lab, check for firewalls, check your connection, notify and reserve a technical support staff member, check lighting, and lastly gathering questions that would be of most benefit for your students. These "author chats" provide a unique way of learning an adds another element to the students understanding. This article not only emphasized the students learning and understanding, but it also displayed the teamwork that was involved by the staff.

This article has definitely inspired me to wrap my hands around technology as a factor that can be applied to all aspects of teaching. As we have seen in this article, there is a great deal of teamwork involved and allows everyone to partake in their exercise. This article focused on the idea of chatting with an author, but in reality it can reach out to people in all other subject matters. For instance, it would be an awesome technology tool used in science as the scientists or whoever it may be, can carry out an experiment with detailed explanations and descriptions. Technology has really brought education to a much higher level of opportunities if one is wiling to attempt and learn. Not only do the students experience a unique way of learning, this article proved that this particular author offered great insights and recommendations to the students pertaining to love to read and opening the possibilities and opportunities to write books themselves. I for one, was not aware of these types of "author chats" but am willing to learn more and inform others as well. With this article in mind, i have come across many tips and recommendations that i have found very beneficial as i will become an elementary school teacher, Here are a few of the many tips given within the text; to prevent disappointment, don't tell your student's until you're really far along in the process, it is best to ask open ended questions that cannot be discovered through other sources, and always have a back up plan as technology does not always deliver what you want. Overall, this article has provided me with great knowledge of "chatting it up online" as well as using technology to enhance and provide my students with a unique experience of learning.

Standards: NETS4