Webquests = effective student learning

After deciding on completing a Webquest for an upcoming assignment, I felt that I must widely research to uncover exactly what they are (I have never seen one before!).

I read the piece titled Webquest review and gained much knowledge about the history and purpose of Webquest for student learning. The underpinning theories which Webquests are based on gained my interest. I strongly believe that the Constructivist approach to teaching and learning is most effective for students.

This paper also was informative as it identified some skills can be developed through the use of Webquests, including Information skills, reading skills and writing and communication skills.

Also identified were some of the challenges of Webquests. These were mainly recognised from the teacher’s perspective such as: time; to prepare the Webquest and to give instructions, behaviour management, inactive links within the Webquest and, for the students, information overload. The writers did suggest ways to overcome these challenges such as planning, developing effective classroom management before undertaking a Webquest and making good use of the resources.

I also found the site “The Webquest Page”very useful to view what Webquests look like.

Reference:Lamb, A., & Teclehaimanot, B. (2005). A decade of webquests: Aretrospective. In M. Orey, J. McClendon, & R. M. Branch, (Eds.). Educational media and technology yearbook (Vol 30). Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

Photo sourced from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30008272@N00/104245167

Understanding LAMS

Much like Rebekah, I was unsure about the whole concept of LAMS. Wanting to gain a better understanding of this software system, I read the paper titled Patterns. designs and activities: unifying descriptions of learning structures.

This article, which also discussed IMS and Learning Patterns  gave a simple to understand explanation of these types of learning tools.

 I found this piece informative as it was very comprehensive with the content that was covered. The authors outline the benefits and drawbacks of each, how they can be used and modified by the classroom teacher, how students learning can be evaluated and most importantly, the steps on how to construct these learning designs.

Another part that I found useful was a table that identified and compared the features and targeted user for LAMS, IMS and Learning Patterns. This once again assisted me to have a greater understanding of the whole concept.

 I would urge anyone else who is having difficulty understanding the how, what, where and when of LAMS to read this paper.                       

 Reference:

McAndrew, P., Goodyear, P., & Dalziel, J. (2005). Patterns, designs and activities: unifying descriptions of learning structures. International Journal of Learning Technology.  

Photo sourced from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54387193@N00/39149869

“Listen to the Natives”……if the budget allows.

I quite like the term “Digital Natives” used to describe the current young generation in Listen to the Natives. I feel that it sums up exactly what life these-days is like for young children who have grown up with technology all around them. For these children, using technology is just second nature. I also like the Constructivist approach to learning that he recommends.

 As Emma has suggested, I would also challenge the possibilities of technology that the author believes are endless. Like Emma, I feel that he is somewhat out of touch with the average school. Not all schools have unlimited technological resources. 

I believe that in order to incorporate technology into schools, as the author suggested, the teacher must be supported by the school through first, supplying enough equipment and second, providing comprehensive training for the teachers. It would be virtually impossible for a lone teacher to implement this type of teaching and learning into their classroom without this support. If this is not the school and communities focus, after reading this article, a teacher may feel that they are inferior.

Reference: 

Prensky, M. (2005/2006) Listen to the Natives. Educational Leadership. 63(4), 8-13
http://www.ascd.org/authors/ed_lead/el200512_prensky.html

Photo from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97831130@N00/1066368855

Benefits of technology within schools

After reading about k-12 and the Internet, I once again have been impressed by the benefits that Technology has in schools.

It was brought to my attention through this reading that students are able to research a wider variety of topics through the use of the ‘net; much more than their local library would stock.

This has to increase their knowledge of the world, doesn’t it??

An important point was raised – the use of the Internet must be meaningful to achieve the maximum benefit for the students.

The same topic of student interest and motivation appears again here too. It is vital for students to want to research and find out more information about a topic therefore the teacher must factor this into lessons based around the Internet.

The information was found from the book:

Groundwater-Smith, S., Ewing, R., & Le Cornu, R. (2006). Teaching: Challenges and  Dilemmas (3rd ed.). Victoria: Thomson.

Photo sourced: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27315689@N00/749317332

Who should we invest in?

I had the pleasure of being stuck listening to an AM radio channel (2UE) last weekend (8/3/2008). The host and his guest were discussing the Government’s new pledge for all students from Grade 8-12 to be given a laptop computer to assist with their studies. Both hosts agreed that this plan is going to benefit many Australian high-school students as having access to ICT is vital, especially for students who will soon be entering the workforce. It was raised by the guest that children need to have unlimited access to computers from a younger age, such as in Primary school. He felt that, in high-school, when students are expected to be a whiz at using computers, they will most likely not have the skills to use them effectively. I myself have found that if you are not a frequent user of technology, you get left behind and it is harder to try to catch up so I can understand his point.                    

I’m not sure of the solution to this problem. Young children probably shouldn’t be given the responsibility of looking after their own laptop, yet developing their skills, should be the focus of the Government.

Photo sourced from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/87434398@N00/147711175

My first Vodcast

This was the first Vodcast that I have ever done!

I am discussing my choice of a great children’s educational website. See my previous blog about this site too!

Go to National Geographic Kids

Photo sourced from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32625013@N00/464445157

Great children’s educational website

In my hunt to find what I believe to be a good children’s website for Week 3 class, I consulted the reading What Makes a Good Kids’ Website?

I have discovered that “good websites” will be meaningful and involve the children through having them create something online, be challenging and interesting to the child as well as provide the opportunity for any child to participate in their own way.

If a children’s website has features that allow for the child to excel, it increases the child’s confidence and views on their abilities.

This reading also identifies the layout of the site determines if it is user friendly or not.

Of course, safety is a concern as well. I have learnt that a good site should ask for adult consent when asking for information, have a Privacy policy, be monitored by adults and display identifiable features of adverts and editorial topics.

With these aspects in mind, I found a site that I believe is great for children. It is: National Geographic Kids. kids.nationalgeographic.com

It features a range of activities, games, videos of other children, facts, related links, opportunities for children to Blog through “My Page” and a simple to follow layout. It also contains the safety features listed above.

Using technology to teach creative skills

On my Prac last year, I saw students doing Creative Arts lessons using the computers. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I thought this was not the best way for children to develop their creative skills.                 

That is until reading Computer as a Paintbrush: Technology, Play and the Creative Society. The author discusses how computers can be used to foster creative design and expression. The case studies throughout the reading give comprehensive examples of how children are successfully combining Creative Arts and computers. It also discusses the crucial role children’s motivation and interest has in developing their creative thinking and learning.

For future success of today’s young children, I now recognise that there is a place for paintbrushes and paints as well as computers.

Rebekah offers a good discussion on creativity in schools too.

To view this reading, go to UTSONLINE

Photo sourced from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/74552084@N00/104166579

My Podcast about Education

This was the first podcast that I have ever done!          

In this podcast, I discuss what I believe is important about Education and what approaches I hope to employ in the classroom when I am a teacher. podcast.mp3

Photo sourced from:http://www.flickr.com/photos/50848430@N00/486120914

Useful technologies in the Primary School

This mind-map includes my ideas of technologies that are currently available in most Primary schools and examples of their uses.