Websites in the Classroom

Websites in the classroom are essential to daily instruction. There are so many wonderful reasons for integrating technology into the curriculum. Classroom websites can assist learners with communication, social, and functional skills. I feel that by having them children will be more willing as well as motivated to learn new and exciting things. Classroom management and participation may also increase significantly in a more positive way. Every school should consider allowing teachers to have a website for their class.

Websites in the classroom can eventually bridge the gap between home/school communications. Parents will remain up to date with curriculum, events, activities, etc. Maintaining a website takes a significant amount of time; however, keeping it current will be not only benefit the student, but the parent and teacher as well. In no way should a classroom website be confused with a parent/teacher conference. I believe that a parent/teacher conference should remain face to face for a more intimate relationship. Discussing grades, strategies, areas of strength and concern, may be a little overwhelming for a parent if conveyed over the internet. Having a website will give the parent an overview of what their child is learning daily, whereas a parent/teacher conference will give a parent a general idea of how their child is progressing in all academic and social areas.

This week I had the pleasure of creating my very own website using Google sites. The instructions were reader friendly and it was very easy to navigate through the page. What I adored the most about this website is there weren’t too many unnecessary icons and boxes which made the content extremely comprehensive especially the set up for a new page along with the editing of a page. I would definitely recommend using Google sites to begin a classroom website because of the accessibility.

Below you will find two websites that pertain to using classroom websites.

http://technological-teaching-aids.suite101.com/article.cfm/guidelines_to_create_a_classroom_website “Guidelines to Create a Classroom Website,” has five important steps to take when creating or revising a classroom website.

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/689 “Using a Classroom Webpage to Communicate with Parents,” informs us of how Kathleen Eveliegh, a first grade teacher effectively use her classroom webpage to interact with parents.

Web Search Engines

Searching the web wasn’t my “friend” at first, but now we’re at least acquaintances. I’ve never thought about the process one must take in order to adequately find information on the internet. If the search became too lengthy I would ultimately use which ever resources showed up first. Being enrolled in my Educational Technology course has opened up a whole new world for me that I am definitely willing to explore.

There are several web search engines I recently learned about that I never knew exist (hierarchical, page indexers, natural language, Meta search engines, and visual search engines). Each type has its advantages and disadvantages depending on what type of search you are conducting. It can also be exceedingly time consuming to locate information if you’re not familiar with the different types of search techniques. These techniques include: reading the webs help screens, evaluating websites for purpose, credentials, and effectiveness is imperative, developing a comprehensive key word list prior to searching, and reading page descriptors. My experience with using web search engines has decreased my stress and frustration level significantly. I think that by evaluating context and credentials, brainstorming key words, using Boolean Logic (And and Or) between simple words, as well as setting a purpose lends a hand in discovering information on the web. I am not an expert searcher yet, but I do believe that practice, patience, and training make a difference.

There are many concerns about using web search engines in the classroom; however, these tools are exceptional. They provide learners with a wide range of knowledge that can be used without having to subscribe to sites and paying fees. There are many kid friendly search engines that prevent inappropriate sites from showing up on search results so monitoring for teachers becomes more manageable. If a facilitator, instructor, or teacher is familiar with the different web search engines and making sure to evaluate their content many students will benefit from what’s being taught and become expert searchers as well.

Below you will find information about evaluating web search engines. It is important to read this information before exploring the internet.

http://www.library.jhu.edu/researchhelp/general/evaluating/

Different types of Web Search Engines and Databases

http://www.online-college-blog.com/index.php/features/100-useful-tips-and-tools-to-research-the-deep-web/

Web Search for Kids by Librarians

www.kidsclick.org

Licensed Periodical Databases

Licensed periodical databases are vital resources to use in the classroom. They can assist learners when finding information for research projects, focus on literature to develop higher order thinking skills, provide articles from authors with credentials, and expose learners to different periodicals created on the internet. During an assignment in my Educational Technology course I’ve learned how to effectively navigate through a licensed periodical database in order to not only save time conducting research, but also to find relevant documents for my search. Using the Boolean logic of AND and OR along with a few key words (i.e. Education AND Technology) can get you closer to locating articles, magazines, newspapers, books, and journals. There are many licensed periodical databases that you must subscribe to; however, there a significant amount of them that can be accessed through your neighborhood library if you hold a current library card. They can also be accessed through several educational facilities and school systems as long as you have a username and password. Having exposure at an early age will make it easier for students to understand how to use a licensed periodical database. The more knowledge and training a teacher has will make it easier as well to instruct learners on the importance of research and ways to effectively use these resources. Most importantly it takes a lot of time and practice to become an expert searcher.Being familiar with the different databases definitely helps.

Below you can find an article on licensed periodical databases. Feel free to add it to your favorites, I did.

“Internet or Databases?,” by Shonda Brisco

http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.baypath.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=18&hid=101&sid=0656a12e-4967-4c84-afb3-f033b7937480%40sessionmgr111

Library Media Connection; Feb2006, Vol. 24 Issue 5, p44-45, 2p

Blogs AND Education

Technology is more universal today than ever and it’s a wonderful device to enhance communication skills. I believe that blogs are fundamental tools that when used appropriately they can essentially provide people with resources to use in all aspects of life. They’re great educational tools to assist with interaction amongst administration, colleagues, students, and parents. Blogs can eventually bridge the gap between home/school communication and increase parental involvement. Using them helps teachers facilitate learning through the use of literature, writing, metacognition analysis, increase higher order thinking skills, etc. If a blog is properly monitored by facilitators it can also be used as an intervention for students with disabilities and broaden the horizon in inclusive classroom. “Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms,” by Will Richardson supports my beliefs on blogs. Here are a few websites and periodicals that also support my beliefs. Please read to get a closer look on how effective blogs are in education.

WEB LINKS

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001449.shtml

PERIODICALS

http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.baypath.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=10&hid=106&sid=91ec6005-74ff-42c2-93f1-a60ff8ffddc5%40sessionmgr110

http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.baypath.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=3&hid=107&sid=4df56682-123b-459a-bfd9-b521513f00f7%40sessionmgr112

Enjoying Everything Life has to Offer

I value the many gifts God has given us in order to be productive citizens. Life is a precious gift and I'm continuing on this journey not only to explore, but also to instill knowledge into every person that I see along the way. Living in Florida for 10 years has been a very intersting and magnificent experience. Divesity is one of the most beautiful parts of life and while living in such a diverse state I've learned to accept people for who they are rather than what they look like. I taught 4th grade for 5 years in Ft. Lauderdale and Hollywood, FL before moving back to Connecticut 2 years ago to assist my elderly mother. It's been extremely overwhelming at times going back and forth to the hospital with her, but through it all God has given me the strength. I also have a 4 year old son that is my LOVE, JOY, & REASON for continuing on this journey. LIFE is what you make it. I hope to become a better parent and a more effective teacher while living it.