Saturday, 17 March 2012

Websites

WEBSITES


What is a Website

A website is an online tool that can be used to display pages of content whether written or images.
Please click on the following link to see an example of my website:
Janeen's Website

You will notice that my website provides an example of how a website can be used to assist in teaching.  It contains a Home Page plus eight (8) additional pages which represent the weeks in a term.  Each page shows what content will be taught in the relevant week in relation to the topic of space.

How to Create a Website

Creating a website is simple and fun.  First you will need to go to the website http://www.weebly.com and set up an account.  It is free to set up an account with weebly.  Then start inserting your content.

For more information on how to set up a weebly website watch this video:


How Can Websites Be Used in the Classroom

There are a number of ways that a website can be used for teaching including the example that I have provided in my own website.  Some other ways include:
  • Arranging for students to create their own websites to display assignments;
  • Using a website to keep parents and students up to date with what will be taught and providing contact details for communciation between the teacher, parents and/or students;
  • Displaying content
  • Providing a visually effective tool to enhance learning on a topic.
  • The website could be used to display assessment topics, homework etc;
  • It could provide details of the Themes that will be covered in each term such as space, bugs etc
  • Videos and images could be uploaded for watching by students for later comment.
  • It could display class rules
  • It could provide links to other websites for viewing by students, such as maths online sites or online readers etc.
  • It can provide uploaded tutorials and lectures online also.
  • The uses are endless...

SWOT Analysis of Using a Website in the Classroom

The strengths of using a Website in the Classroom include:

·         If the website is used to display tutorials or lectures on line etc it will support behaviourism learning theories.

·         If images and audio are displayed on the website it could also assist cognitivism learning theories.

·         If the website contains information in relation to a topic (such as a Utube video) that will later be discussed collaboratively in class it will assist constructivism learning theories.

·         If the website provides links to find other information then it will support Connectivism learning theories.

·         Therefore, the website as a tool has the ability to support all learning theories.

·         By allowing students to create their own website it will support active, reflective, sensing, intuitive, visual, verbal, sequential and global learners.  As it:-

-          Allows active learners to get involved in the creation

-          Allows reflective learners time to think about their creation prior to creating it

-          Allows sensing learners to use their practicality and problem solving skills in creating the website

-          Allows intuitive learners the opportunity to explore and discover new possibilities with their creation;

-          Allows visual learner the opportunity to see visual images

-          Allows verbal learners the opportunity to use written words

-          Allows sequential learners to follow step by step procedures in creating their website

-          Allows global learners to jump in and explore with their design 

·         By allowing students to view a website created by the teacher it will also support active, reflective, sensing, intuitive, verbal, sequential and global learners, as it:

-          Allows active learners to get on the site to view the content;

-          Gives reflective learners the opportunity to view the content and then think about it

-          Gives sensing learners the chance to learn facts and know what will be taught as they dislike surprise

-          Gives intuitive learners an opportunity to explore the links attached to the site

-          Assists visual learners by showing images etc

-          Assists verbal learners by having written or verbal content

-          Assists sequential learners by showing what will be taught and when

-          Assists global learners by allowing them to look at the topic as a whole

·         It supports multiple intelligences, including linguistic (as the site will contain content that can be read or heard), logical (mathematical topics could be displayed on the site),  interpersonal (group activities could be set requiring a group to look at a task on the site), intrapersonal (it gives the learner the opportunity to learn on their own and look at the site independently), musical (music could be displayed on the site), visual/spatial (images will be displayed), naturalistic (topics covering nature could be displayed on the site).

·         It supports a TPACK framework provided the content is suitable to this type of tool;

·         It promotes higher levels of thinking by supporting the “remembering”, “understanding”, Applying”, Analysing”, “Evaluating”, and “creating” Blooms Revised Taxonomies as it:

-          Remembering – allows students to identify what will be taught and how to retrieve that information;

-          Understanding – allows students to interpret and summarise what will be taught;

-          Applying – by creating their own web site they can carry out and implement the tool;

-          Analysing – by allowing students to organise themselves with the content displayed

-          Evaluating – by allowing them to check, experiment and assess by using the links, checklists etc provided on the site

-          Creating – by creating their own website

The weaknesses of using a Website in Teaching include:-

· There is no ability for the students/parents to provide comments or collaborate as websites are static
· That not all students have access to computers and having a website may disadvantage those students
· That not all students know how to use computers even if they have access to them

*  Making sure any links contain appropriate content

The opportunities available by using Websites in Teaching that may overcome the weaknesses, include:-

· Allowing students to use email as outlined in the Website to provide comments which can later be discussed collaboratively. Also any topic posted could be discussed in group activities etc. or viewing of the website could be done in class in group activities to enhance collaboration.
· Also using other types of online resources such as as Wikis to enhance collaboration;
· Inform students of where they can find accessible computers such as the library;

· Show students how to use computers doing class time and give them an opportunity to access the website during that time.

* Check all content of links regularly to ensure content is appropriate.

The threats that may present include:-

  • If students are not able to use a computer then the benefits of the website will be wasted and students may become frustrated. 
  • Checks for inappropriate content need to be vigiliant.

Personal Reflection

I liked the format of the website and believe it would be an invaluable tool in the classroom.  I like that a website can contain an outline of course content to enable students to look ahead and see what they will learn in any term.  As a student I would have liked to have this type of resource available when I was at school.  I think it helps students to have a view of where they are headed each term and this helps them to focus.  It also enables learners who are excited about the topic to look ahead and search for more on the topic themselves and also helps those who are struggling to see what they are supposed to be learning.  This can help parents also because if they know what is being covered and they see their child is struggling they can become more hands on at home and assist their child.  I believe the website has many benefits and I intend to use it in my classroom.

References:






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