This week we had to complete our construction of the course website for our classroom. This website was created through weebly and I had a lot of fun working with it. I know we still have (future) other projects to add to the website in the next few weeks but I am excited to see the final result once all supplementary materials are added. I always enjoy building websites and webpages, I like how my thoughts and creativity bleeds through the computer and onto the screen and individuality, imagination, creativity, and ingenuity can all meet to create a technological "masterpiece." If completed correctly, websites can be a great additive to a business, school, blog, or classroom website.
The most difficult part of this project was finding the web resources for the resources page. I had many I found but I felt they did not meet the specific standards for my lesson. I found that including resources and information for parents to view via a classroom website is not as easy as it sounds but in the end it is such an important part of collaboration between teachers and parents alike. Instead of emailing the teacher parents could possibly find what they are looking for on the classroom website, and if the do not, then they can simply click on the contact page. I think this is a great additive for any classroom. Chapter 9 Question 3 The tools and resources on the web must be applied to help students become productive digital citizens of the 21st century global digital society. What do you see as your role in preparing your students for their place in their world? What specifically will you do in your classroom to ensure that preparation? Common internet sources and tools are important in education because of the digital world we live in today. It is important to adequately expose the students to different forms of technology in their educational experiences because they need to be familiar with technology. Students who are comfortable with technology will be used to it and not be as confused and/or intimidated by it. With technology expanding and growing as rapidly as it does, students need to use it regularly and grow along with it. When these students enter adulthood and the workforce, their technology abilities will help them to excel and do well. According to chapter 9, teaching students about simple computer literacy is important. Things such as email, chat, audio, using the Web, knowing how to navigate websites, and understanding common web browser functions are all important for students to learn and apply in their educational instruction. Our book explains that the traditional way of learning (ex: pen and paper) can be crafted to include interactivity through the use of search engines, educational communities online, wiki, RSS feed etc... can be added to the traditional instruction as a supplemental material or an instructional material all on its own, that makes technology such a great tool. In my classroom I would incorporate different technology tools such as podcasts, research through search engines and the Web, familiarity with blogs, playing interactive and educational online games, interesting graphics to capture the students attention, and other media tools to keep the students' interests and keep them engaged. Chapter 10 Question 1 There has been much discussion about whether distance education can provide students instruction that is equal in quality to traditional education. DO you think an equivalent experience is possible via distance delivery? Why or why not? Our book discusses the pedagogical cycle, which is at the center of every form of instructional technology. This cycle allows for the delivery of instructional technology across a global span of communities and networks. Most forms of instruction include some form of technology in them. This is because technology has been used as a means of delivering educational opportunities to others across the globe, regardless of geography and location. All that is needed is an internet connection and a computer or mobile device. According to the International Association for k-12 Online Learning, the development of online programs has increased greatly in recent years. Having fully online programs available to students gives the opportunity for advancement and I believe it is just as effective as traditional educational instruction. I find that there are some who do not accept this new wave of different technologies that is being administered and adopted across the world. For example, the doctors office. When we go into our doctors office we are handed an iPad, we digitally sign all documents related to service agreements, HIPPA, and so on. I have seen folks come in that are annoyed by this, they want pen and paper to sign their documents. They do not want to read their documents on a computer screen, they want the hard copy. I understand where they are coming from because technology has only been advancing in the last few decades, although it has been around for a very long time. I think if we can educate the general public on the different forms of technology available and show them how to use it, there wouldn't be as much hostility towards integrating technology into different aspects of our lives, such as the doctors office. Education is no different, we have to use technology so our students can apply the technological skills they've learned to the real world one day. Why not apply it to distance education as well? I think it is a great thing using distance education as a means of online delivery of instruction and information. It helps to bridge the gap between location and learning. Another way I think it can be just as effective as traditional learning is through the use of collaboration and communication tools in distance education and online learning. Using chat programs, online meetings using a webcam, proper LMS, video conferencing, social networks, etc...are all positive tools that can be applied to distance education to make it just as effective as traditional learning.
2 Comments
Jena
7/14/2019 02:55:04 pm
Courtney, I think your website is very informative. I agree that is is harder for the older generation to fully rely on technology to handle their business. I cannot convince the older generation in my family to use online banking or to do their taxes. I have come to terms that I will be there someday as well, as I am sure technology will one day outpace me. Although, I am hoping to have hands free or driverless cars in my old age, so no matter how old I am I can still have my independence and get my errands done. LOL great post.
Reply
April
7/16/2019 03:21:39 pm
Hi Courtney, I really appreciated your post this week and your commitment to helping students engage in all different types of technology. I think that's going to be so important that students are well-rounded in their experience with different types of software, hardware, and web-based applications. I was just reading about the tech of the future - and I'm concerned with the pressures that teachers are and will face getting students read for things like AI, Blockchain, DevOps, Big Data, etc. How are we to keep up? Great job on your class site, btw, very modern feel. ~April
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Author
|