This week we had an introduction to website design.
We began by finding different online website creators through Web 2.0. I found that I liked them very much, up to a point. Most online website creators are really good for basic layouts, but once I started wanting to do anything even relatively fancy, it became difficult and frustrating. I have a little bit of a background in website design because I took a website design class here at WOU, so I think that was part of my frustration because I know that I can do more with a website than the online creators allow me to do. Granted, I only explored a few, so there may be some creators that would allow me to do more, but that would take some more looking.
After we had looked at the online website creators we began to learn about Dreamweaver. I used Dreamweaver in my website design class, so I am familiar with it, but it was good to have a refresher. Depending on what you do, it can take a very long time to create a website, but I find that Dreamweaver is fairly user friendly.
I think that it will be useful to know how to use Dreamweaver even though, as a teacher, I will probably never have access to Dreamweaver, or the time to create a website using Dreamweaver. I think that the online website creators will be very, very useful as a teacher. Almost every teacher I know has their own website now. I think it is a great way to provide extra resources to students, and to stay in touch with parents.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Week 7-Mobile Learning
This week was all about mobile learning. Mobile learning in this sense is bringing such devices as iPods, and iPads into the classroom. I can see great possibilities with using iPads and iPods in the classroom, as well as great downfalls if not used properly.
Many children today own, or have had experience with either or both of these devices. They are a great way to get students engaged with their learning. Sometimes it can be hard to find applications that are ready to use in the classroom, but many can be very useful with a little bit of thinking. The challenge is that most applications that are geared towards learning are in game format, which aren't usually that useful in the classroom.
This week in class our task was to find a way to use one type of mobile learning in a lesson. We had to create a lesson that incorporated the use of an application on an iPad or iPod. My group found an application that has the text of the entire U.S. Constitution. Our idea is to split a class into groups, and give each group a portion of the Constitution to translate into their own words. We realize that the text of the Constitution could easily be found online and printed off, or viewed on a computer, but giving it to students in this format may feel more relevant to them, and can be more easily accessed.
As with every technology there is the danger of letting the iPods, or iPads, take over the role of the teacher, and that is something that it is always important to avoid. They have their place in the classroom, but there should be definite lines between when technology is used, and when the teacher is the source of new information.
Many children today own, or have had experience with either or both of these devices. They are a great way to get students engaged with their learning. Sometimes it can be hard to find applications that are ready to use in the classroom, but many can be very useful with a little bit of thinking. The challenge is that most applications that are geared towards learning are in game format, which aren't usually that useful in the classroom.
This week in class our task was to find a way to use one type of mobile learning in a lesson. We had to create a lesson that incorporated the use of an application on an iPad or iPod. My group found an application that has the text of the entire U.S. Constitution. Our idea is to split a class into groups, and give each group a portion of the Constitution to translate into their own words. We realize that the text of the Constitution could easily be found online and printed off, or viewed on a computer, but giving it to students in this format may feel more relevant to them, and can be more easily accessed.
As with every technology there is the danger of letting the iPods, or iPads, take over the role of the teacher, and that is something that it is always important to avoid. They have their place in the classroom, but there should be definite lines between when technology is used, and when the teacher is the source of new information.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Week 6-Podcasting
This week we talked about podcasting. I've listened to podcasts a few times, but haven't really paid much attention to them before now. From what we discussed in class I think that podcasts in the classroom have a lot of potential. As with anything there is a lot to sift through that is not of much, if any, educational value, or is not the right type of material to use in the classroom, but I think there is some content out there that could be really helpful in the classroom. One concern I do have is that, if used improperly, podcasts could take the place of the job that the teacher is supposed to be performing. Podcasts can supply so much information that it nullifies the teacher's role in the classroom. I view podcasts as supplementary material only. For example, podcasts that include images or video of places or animals that it is impossible to take students to view for themselves would be very beneficial, but a podcast that includes that, and all the information about those places or animals would take the place of the teacher, and I don't think that has a place in the classroom. Overall, if used correctly, I believe podcasts can be a very beneficial tool in the classroom. I'm excited to finish mine, too! It's about bats. =)
Friday, May 11, 2012
Week 5-Evaluating the Internet
This week in class we gave the internet a report card.
Not really, but we did look at various websites to determine their legitimacy. We learned that it's not always a sure thing to trust all web address extensions. Extensions such as .org, .edu, .gov, etc we tend to think of as very reliable. Just as we all know the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' we should probably add a new one of 'don't judge a webpage by its extension'. Anyone can have any extension they wish, and can put whatever kind of information, or misinformation, on their website they choose. Some websites may look very legitimate, and/or very, very close to a real website, but may be fake, or radically different organizations.
The most important thing that I think I learned was that it is vital that I don't just let my students loose on the internet. I already mostly had that idea in my mind, but looking at all of these different websites really helped me see how very important it is to be careful about what my students are able to access. Learning this I will definitely only allow my students to search on specific websites that I have evaluated if I choose to allow them to research the internet for information for a project.
Not really, but we did look at various websites to determine their legitimacy. We learned that it's not always a sure thing to trust all web address extensions. Extensions such as .org, .edu, .gov, etc we tend to think of as very reliable. Just as we all know the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' we should probably add a new one of 'don't judge a webpage by its extension'. Anyone can have any extension they wish, and can put whatever kind of information, or misinformation, on their website they choose. Some websites may look very legitimate, and/or very, very close to a real website, but may be fake, or radically different organizations.
The most important thing that I think I learned was that it is vital that I don't just let my students loose on the internet. I already mostly had that idea in my mind, but looking at all of these different websites really helped me see how very important it is to be careful about what my students are able to access. Learning this I will definitely only allow my students to search on specific websites that I have evaluated if I choose to allow them to research the internet for information for a project.
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