Website: http://wackywebadventures.weebly.com/
I have created a website and am actually excited about its potential real life application. I have geared this site towards my EPL class next term which is yr 1/2 combined class. The website serves a two fold purpose. Firstly it is designed to keep parents informed of their child's learning journey. It will provide an outline of the terms overview and key learning themes and outcomes. It also has specific information about how parents can best support their child's learning. As my EPL has not started, it is not complete, but watch this space!
The 2nd purpose of the site is to provide extra curricular activities that match the terms themes. For example websites, games, uploaded activity sheets etc that reflect the unit. These could substitute homework at times and generally enhance children deeper learning/understanding. I know as a parent my children often want to use the computer, and I'm forever looking for different educational sites for them to spend time on in addition to their recreational use - I would love a site that supported/matched their school work. I shared my idea with my mentor teacher, and she was very excited by this, so no doubt I may complete the site and get to test it out next term!
Functionality of Developing a Website as a Learning Tool:
When exploring the functionality of website development as a learning tool I will apply the SWOT analysis framework.
Strengths:
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| image sources from http://www.sqleadership.com/ |
- there is much research to support the use of technology assists in engaging learners.
- 24 hour access, allowing students to access, explore and utilize the website outside of school
- connects school to home allowing family members to be apart of student learning journey
- environmentally friendly manner to store teachers/students work, information ( reduction in paper, folders etc)
- contributes to broader student/community learning as accessible to broad audience, and as such
- can provide of external input/feedback from experts in the field and links with similar interest groups for students.
- can be less resource intense and may provided greater expression of creativity for teacher - eg: unit on the jungle may contain links to live webcams', Google earth, ( virtual excursions), museums, photographs etc that would not be as accessible with the technology.
- Transparent - allows for easy peer and parent critique/review which may enhance teachers performance.
- greater possibility of cultural perspectives in education ( eg world wide web access allows ease of cultural comparison, learning)
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| pic sourced from http://3.bp.blogspot.com/ |
Weaknesses:
- technology failure
- unpredictability of technology
- cost - update of software and hardware
- class discrimination - presupposition that family have the means to buy the equipment and have funds to pay electricity, internet connection
- internet safety precautions
- ethical issues such as plagiarism
- some children/families believe that there are electron-magnetic fields produced by electric appliances ( e.g lap tops computers) causing serious health issues
Opportunities
- Increased competition, and availability of educational specific website software
- Increase in funded technology resources to schools/students
- Broader development of internet safety policy and resources
- increased professional development for educators in ICT
Threats:
- Technology reliances increases the power of multi national companies,who own the technology, licenses and phone lines, who are responsible for exploiting workers and increased environmental damage.
- Technology is often superseded at a rapid pace and as such reliance on technology contributes to the 'throw away'society resulting in increased environmental damage.
Another Group 1 technology is a Wiki:
Wiki: http://sharongraham.wikispaces.com/
The development of my Wiki was also designed with my EPL class group in mind. In thinking about the Literacy course, and reflecting on my own childs love of books, I thought a wiki maybe an easy way for parents teachers and students to share there favorite books, reading website and activities. I imagined over the years it would grow to home a very comprehensive list of resources that could also link to the website for additional materials for parents/students.
PMI on Wiki use:
Positives:
- students can directly contribute to the wiki, resulting in increased engagement and ownership of their learning
- International - contributions can be from a wide variety of experiences, allowing diversity in culture, gender, class, religion, and geography.
- 24 hour assess, allowing students to access, explore and utilize the website outside of school
- connects school to home allowing family members to be apart of student learning journey
- easily accessible 'storage file'of resources, student work
- allows students / teachers to easily share and critique each others work
Minises:
In addition to the website threats and weaknesses listed above, Wiki may present additional issues such as
- editing/changing of wiki by students may present issues with loss of information, inappropriate comments/postings
Interesting:
- need for further development issues of intellectual copyright for educators and students
- endless creativity of educators/students always amazes me, and I feel privileged to be able to so easily view/access this.
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