The Wonderful WebQuest

In the past, teachers have used pencil and paper to convey knowledge and information to their students. However with the advancement of technology, teachers and learning are moving in a new direction. Teachers are integrating more web-based learning techniques into their lessons with the internet being one of the most widely used tools. There are a variety of web-based activities that are making their way into our classrooms. One of these activities is the WebQuest.
After reading the information and going through the examples of WebQuests, it has become clear that they are a valuable tool in web-based learning. The WebQuest is an activity that is done entirely online as opposed to being a textbook and paper assignment. There are banks of WebQuests available on the net as well as instructions for creating your own. A WebQuest can also be created or found at any grade level or for any subject necessary. Having access to WebQuest banks and instructions is a fabulous benefit for teachers. This can offer a little technology break from the traditional paper and pencil style of some classes for students. The ease of this is achieved as the entire activity is laid out in five clearly defined steps: the introduction, the task, the process, the evaluation and the conclusion. The layout of a WebQuest makes it straightforward to understand from start to finish. The instructions are clearly stated which makes it easy to follow as well as revisit those instructions throughout the assignment. By clearly defining the task(s) to be completed, surprises are eliminated and the students are aware of what will be expected of them right from the start. This is a benefit to the students as it will allow the student the opportunity to organize and plan ahead to keep their work load at a manageable level. WebQuests are also a wonderful tool for students who are struggling with learning disabilities such as Attention Deficit Disorder. The use of a computer allows students with learning disabilities to access programs such as Read & Write Gold and word processors to help check spelling and grammar. As well, students with ADD often have trouble remembering instructions past the first step. The layout of the directions and expectations in a WebQuest will allow the student to refer back whenever necessary and in turn their frustration levels will be in check. The layout and format of a WebQuest is not the only attribute of value here. The hands-on engagement that they provide is also an effective tool in the classroom and addresses yet another learning style. The WebQuest has students working hands-on with a computer and has the student in control of web navigation throughout the assignment. These are also a benefit to the students and the teachers as it allows them to complete their work with ease and confidence. Overall WebQuests are tools that have a great value in the success and promotion of web-based learning.

Discussion Boards in the Classroom

Discussion boards are a web-based learning tool that can be used in the everyday classroom to evoke discussion and class participation as well as teach and reinforce a specific concept. I believe that this use of digital media to convey a concept is a fabulous way to teach children who have become so digitally inclined. As a teacher I would use the discussion board in the classroom when I am trying to reinforce a concept that has been introduced or even when introducing a new topic or concept. For example if I was teaching grade seven social studies and we were beginning the unit on Japan, I would take the opportunity to incorporate the discussion board. I would post a new topic that asks a question such as “When you hear the name Japan, what descriptive words come to mind?” Then I would have the class go to the site and post their responses to the question. This then becomes a valuable tool for students and teachers. This benefits the students because it allows them to begin thinking about the upcoming unit and get some input and feedback from other students in the class. This is a useful tool for teachers as it gives you an idea of where the students are in terms of their background knowledge and their strengths and weaknesses when talking about the general topic. However, as with any teaching practice that involves technology there can be some setbacks that may pose challenges for the teacher. Since web-based learning tools are all incorporated with the use of a computer there challenges to be faced. Are there enough computers to allow for class size? Is the network / server up and running? Can students access the discussion board / web-based tool from home? Can the student navigate a computer? Can the student read and write at a level that is required to participate in the discussion? The first challenge faced with web-based learning tools is having enough computers to provide each student with a computer. This can be a challenge as not all schools have the budget to cover the expense of computers. In turn if there are not enough computers it is difficult to get all of the students working with a web-based tool as a class. The next challenge is the reliability of internet service. Essentially teachers who are incorporating web-based learning tools into their lessons are at the mercy of the service provider. If the internet connection is not available at the specific time that you require it then you are out of luck. This makes it difficult to plan a lesson when you are unsure of accessibility. With increased inclusion in Alberta’s classrooms there will be students who read and write far below grade level in your class. However there are programs such as Read & Write Gold that work with computers to compensate for reading and writing deficits. It is also difficult to use web-based tools as not all students have access to a computer and the internet at home. This means that all of their work that uses the internet must be completed at the school and this then poses another challenge. What if that student doesn’t get done in school and needs to stay late, but they ride the bus? Again another challenge and the list could go on. I guess when it comes to web-based learning tools and the classroom a teacher must plan and incorporate these things at a level that is suitable for the students and the equipment available to them. Every teacher will encounter challenges along their journey and they must see these challenges as an opportunity to grow as a teacher.

Attention Defecit Disorder Hyperactivity.....

Learning disabilities are something that many children struggle with today. This has become a growing issue in the many primary and secondary classrooms that exist today. The learning disability that will be discussed is Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD). This is a disability that carries a number of negative stereotypes with it such as careless, disorganized, too chatty and most often lazy. Some of these are indeed true characteristics of a child with ADHD; however they quite often are out the students’ control. I can personally attest to this as I have struggled with ADHD all through my education. I will admit, that, as we all have, I have had my lazy days. However, for the majority of the time I am not lazy or careless. I have truly forgotten the instruction or had too many instructions thrown at me and have become extremely overwhelmed. This is the case for children with ADHD. Another struggle for these children is organization. We have all seen messy binders and even messier lockers or bedrooms in our time, and we have all tried to find just one paper in that mess. It is not any easy task, but children who have ADHD live with this kind of chaos everyday. This is the exact kind of disorganization that goes on in their heads from the moment that they wake until the moment that they go to sleep. Just imagine trying to rummage though your jumble of thoughts to try and remember where you put that assignment or where you put your notes from last class. That is what it is like to try and remember even the simplest of things. Things as simple as remembering to take your homework home from school get lost in this jumble. To most people this is just something that you do everyday and it doesn’t take much effort to remember to do this, however for a child with ADHD remembering this becomes a major task every time. Another setback that comes with ADHD is being able to follow oral lectures and instructions. I am a math person and I love to do math. However, when I am struggling with my ADHD it makes it very difficult to follow the lectures and the steps to solve the problems. When you are required to follow a math problem from step to step and see how it all comes together the constant thought interruptions make it almost impossible to do. These distractions can come from a number of sources such as other students, activity in the hall or from outside the windows to list a few. This makes it very difficult to follow a single thought from start to finish. About 4 years ago I began taking a small dose of medication to help me with my school work. At that time I quickly discovered what it was like to “think in a straight line.” I had never had the opportunity to experience this luxury and now that I understand what it is like I have overcome many hurdles that I have had to deal with in the past. All that a child with ADHD wants is for people to understand that the everyday functioning of a child with ADHD is very different from the rest of the population and they often just need a friendly reminder and a hint of your patience.

In an effort to provide you with a little peek into the thoughts of someone with ADHD, I will list all of the things that have flown through my head in the last 10 minutes.
What should I have for lunch? When did I last have a coffee? Where did I leave that shirt? When is my test again? I better look that up. I better write a note so I remember to look that up. What time is it? It sure is nice outside (staring out the window). I’m thirsty what’s in the fridge to drink? I should call and reschedule that appointment that I missed. What time is it - I forget already? What groceries do I need again, I forget? I should have written it down. When is the last day of classes? I better look again and write it down.

All of this has been flying though my head while I have been trying to do my work. Just imagine spending every day with this sort of chaos and you will only begin to see what it is like to live with ADHD.

Online Assessment and the Classroom

Assessment is a fundamental part of teaching that allows the educator to monitor the progress and success of their students and their own teaching techniques. Assessment can be carried out in many different forms. Traditionally we have seen assessment in the form of assignments, written tests, essays, projects and presentations to name a few. However with the advancements in technology another predominant form of assessment has made its debut. The rising star of assessment is online assessment. The use of online assessment has its advantages and disadvantages for students as well as teachers. In the past, teachers have had to administer tests and assignments manually and then take them in and mark them. This, we all know, can be an overwhelming task as stated in the Online Assessment article (http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/assessinglearning/03/online.html ). With the advancement of online assessment we are seeing tools such as WebCT, blogs, Google Documents, paper submission sites such as turn it in.com and test makers to list just some of those available. These new tools are making the responsibility of assessment slightly less stressful for teachers. Such new tools are also responsible for the changes that students are experiencing as they progress from primary to post-secondary education. Students are rapidly becoming digital learners and therefore are adapting quickly to the use of online assessment. Similar to the teachers’ findings, online assessment is allowing students a sort of ease when it comes to assessment. Students are able to access their work and assignments from a computer with internet anywhere they may be. It has made higher education a possibility for a wider demographic. Although at first glance online assessment appears to have a bundle of positive attributes as you dig deeper it becomes apparent that there may be some flaws present in online assessment as mentioned in the Online Assessment article.
I have attended school at the university and the college and have the opportunity to use many of the different types of online assessments that are being used in educational facilities today. I feel that some of these tools are very useful. However, I believe that there are a number of disadvantages that go along with the convenience. The first assessment tool that I encountered at the university was WebCT. WebCT is a form of assessment that is used by many professors to administer tests. The most common type of exam given through WebCT is a multiple choice style. There is the option of short answer questions however in my six years at the Uof L I did not encounter one professor who chose to use the short answer option. All of the WebCT exams that I have written have been entirely multiple choice. For me this posed a hurdle of considerable size, as I struggle with writing a test of this style. I am the kind of person, and I know I’m not the only one, that would much rather take a written or short answer exam over a multiple choice exam. I also agree with the Online Assessment article when they state that “online assessment can promote lower level cognitive skills.” I personally feel that WebCT is not a thorough form of assessment, especially if only multiple choice questions are used. Through my years of post-secondary education I have also used a term paper submission site known as turn it in.com. This is a site that teachers can use for essay submissions. Students submit their paper online and their paper is then scanned and checked for any plagiarism throughout the paper. This form of assessment is also beneficial to the student as it ensures that they are learning how to properly write papers and site reference material. This tool is of enormous assistance to teachers and professors as well as students. The last form of online assessment that I have become familiar with is the blog. A blog is short for a web log and can be used in a variety of ways. Blogs can be used for assignments, discussions and reflections or for general information purposes. In my opinion a blog requires a higher level of knowledge application because you are giving a written response to a question(s). With a written response assessment there is no guessing and getting it right by chance as there is with multiple choice exams. You must have some knowledge and background on the subject matter to appropriately respond to a blog prompt as we are right now. This form of assessment will give an educator a deeper understanding of where each student is with the course material. I believe that the use of blogs as a form of assessment is beneficial to a student because it allows them to access their work from an environment that is best suited for them thus reducing their stress level. For students who suffer from test anxiety, the option of completing their work at home, and not in a class with a written exam, can have an enormous impact on their performance. Enabling a student to fully display their acquired knowledge is crucial to successfully measuring their progress.
Throughout this response we have looked at online assessment, in the form of WebCT, paper submission sites and blogs in particular, and discussed them from a student’s point of view. Overall it seems that online assessment is heading in the right direction and with time, the possibilities are endless.

Online communication and Google Docs

As technology continues to advance online communication it also continues to advance the tools we use in the classroom. Teachers have begun to incorporate more and more online forms of communication into their everyday lessons. One of these new forms of communication is known as Google Docs. As stated by Wikipedia, Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application offered by Google. Teachers have begun to use Google Docs to publish announcements and assignments in the classroom. This program allows documents to be opened in a number of different formats, all of which allow users to manipulate and share their work with other users in real time. This feature allows teachers and peers to read, edit and comment on your work as you progress. Another great feature of Google Docs is the auto save function. The program automatically saves your work as you go without you having to push the save button. This ensures that all of your work is backed up at all times. Google Docs also has an amazing function to assist teachers in monitoring the progress of each student. This program allows the teacher to see when each user has logged on and how long they have been spending on it. This means no more excuses for not having homework done. The Google Docs presentation program allows users to prepare an individual or a group presentation. Groups are able to log on and all work on the presentation. This is a great way to work as a group as each user is able to make changes to the project from any web capable computer because of the real time capabilities. Google Docs has a number of features that are enabling students and teachers to stay organized, on top of assignments and in touch with the ever changing digital world and digital brain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Docs (Definition)
http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs.html (Google for Educators)

Working the Web for Education

Wow, how many fabulous ideas did that web site have?! As an aspiring educator I found that the Working the Web for Education article was excellent. The site provided a number of ideas for integrating the web into class assignments. They touched on 5 formats in particular: Topic Hotlist, Multimedia Scrapbook, Treasure Hunt, Subject Sampler, and WebQuest. They provided a chart that allowed me to answer a few questions and decide where I should begin if I were going to design a class assignment. As I scrolled down the formats were discussed in greater detail and it became apparent to me that not one format was going to be “better” than another. Although each of them would make it possible to convey a concept in a fun interactive web-based activity my attention was instantly drawn to the Treasure Hunt. This format brought a multitude of ideas to mind. Treasure Hunts could be used in each and every subject and could be adapted to fit any age or ability level. In addition, they could be used by individuals or groups to reinforce one or many concepts. I believe that each of the formats has its own positive and negative aspects and if utilized effectively each could provide students and educators alike with a World Wide education.

Understanding Self-Directed Learning Online

Prior to reading this article my initial thought was, “How complex can self directed learning really be?” I thought, of course, you have to be motivated and organized but that essentially was the extent of self-directed learning in my mind. However as I began to read the article my knowledge and opinions of self-directed learning changed. First I began to understand that there is a wide range in levels of self-direction according to the learning conditions that one encounters. For this reason learners may show a greater level of self-direction when it is something that is of interest to them or that they have had previous experience with. As I progressed through the article it became clear to me that the concept of self-directed learning is an intricate web of context, personal attributes, motivation and resources to name a few. The entire concept of self-directed learning meshes all too well with the invention of the internet. The idea of online learning takes the characteristics of self-directed learning and allows students flexibility in terms of their time and location. Although this seems ideal, users must be self motivated, organized and resourceful. These qualities are a necessity for successful online learning. This form of learning may not work for every individual but on a whole I feel that the idea of self-directed learning and online environments has many benefits to offer. As for me and my outrageously hectic life it is ideal as it offers multiple options for course completion.