Group One Tools - Websites

This weeks ICT tools focus on website  spaces,  including the likes of blogs, wikis and websites. There are two different forms of web spaces, Web 1.0 and 2.0. Web 1.0 is simply controlled by the webmaster, all viewers, are observing the same content and are unable to add or remove content, therefore it is considered to be read-only. Web 2.0 on the other hand is owned by the creator. This allows Individuals and groups to publish, share, network and generate their own content (Fasso, 2012). 


This post will explore blogs wikis and websites as well as discussing possible ways to include these web spaces into the classroom. 

Digital Tool One - Blogs for Learning.


Blogs are becoming increasingly popular in the 21st century, which raises the question of whether or not they could be an effective tool within the education sector.  There are numerous blogging sites that are accessible on the internet, and not all may be appropriate for children to view. However, there are many positive outcomes that can arise from the use of blogs within classroom activities. 

In most instances schools block access to blog websites, it is my belief that this is necessary, as it could result in more distractions and a higher number of students off task. On the other hand, if blogs are incorporated into to classroom tasks, and used appropriately they could appeal to students interests and increase the participation levels. This is believed as students are digital natives, and they need to be engaged. They are comfortable and confident using these technologies, and Future Learning Managers should use this knowledge to their advantage (Prensky, 2001). 

This topic, have been explore in a PMI chart which is posted below. 

There are many learning strategies that could be adopted using this communication tool. These could include:

- Students could post their reflections from the lessons tasks and content.  
- It could be used as a progressive assignment, similar to the one in Managing E-Learning. 
- Blogs are traditionally used for users to post stories or cryptic messages, this could be used in English as they could post their stories publicly and view others. (Fasso, 2012)

There are definite potentials of blogs within the teaching contexts which have been explored in the PMI Chart above. Personally, I believe I could use a blog within my teaching areas as they are experimental, allow creativity, and allow freedom of expression. Within English I would consider allowing students to blog their stories/journal articles and book reviews online and incorporate supporting images/videos/etc. 


Reference: 
Fasso, W. (2012).  Online spaces - What is Web 2.0, Retrieved from CQUniversity e-courses, FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/page/view.php?id=12594




Digital Tool Two - Wikis for Collaborative Learning

The second digital tool that was observed during this week was wiki spaces. It is believed that wikis are a very effective way of promoting collaborative learning as it allows students the opportunity to explore other members ideas and views on relevant subject areas. There are many positives that can result from the use of wiki spaces which have been explore in the PMI chart bellow as well as the downfalls. 

The wiki spaces that has been created can be viewed via : http://managingelearning-laurabowen.wikispaces.com/

Plus	Minus	Interesting
Creates a great space for group activities/assessment: -     Collective ownership of work (Guth, 2007) -     Easily accessible and can be edited by any member of the group -     Collective authoring: critical reading and responsible writing (Guth, 2007)	Information could be lost due to accidental deletion.	Creates a sense of community for groups, allows users the freedom to publish pages that are long-lived, regularly updated, and built by many contributors. (Tangient, 2012)
Helpful for group data Collection (Teaching Effectiveness Program, 2006)	·     Inappropriate content may be posted
Images/videos/ can be added to support points	Cannot be monitored by teacher at all times.
Can be constantly updated
Flexible
Writing as a process and knowledge sharing over time (Guth, 2007)
It is simple to use

There are numerous teaching techniques that could be used, allowing the appropriate incorporation of wikis into the classroom. These could include: 
- Group assessment tasks, it could  aid as a ways to keep all information together for students
- For homework activities, such as participating in reflections on the weeks content that was covered


Wikis could be used for teachers to monitor students progression and understanding of the content that has been covered. 


Reference: 


Teaching Effectiveness Program. (2006). WIKIS IN EDUCATION, and other tools for Collaborative Writing, retrieved from  http://tep.uoregon.edu/shared/blogswikispodcasts/WikisBiblio.pdf

Guth, S. (2007) Wikis in education: is public better?, retrieved from http://delivery.acm.org/10.1145/1300000/1296958/p61-guth.pdf?ip=138.77.2.133&acc=ACTIVE%20SERVICE&CFID=96292934&CFTOKEN=46685018&__acm__=1342521893_6aaa09d1b23e77f937f56ae0475672d0

Tangient LLC. (2012). Wiki Spaces: About, retrieved from: http://www.wikispaces.com/about

Digital Tool Three - Websites for many purposes

The third tool that was created and observed within this weeks materials was a weebly website. When creating this tool I found that it was simple, yet challenging. It was unlike anything I had previously used. On the other hand, I personally believe that there could be many beneficial teaching techniques that could be adopted through the utilization of this form of web space. Web 2.0 is being refereed to as the future of education (Hargadon, 2008) It refers to the use of the web which allow students to collaborate, get actively involved in creating content, to generate knowledge and to share information online.(Grosseck, 2009)

These ideas alongside a PMI chart have been explored below. 

My weebly can be viewed via: http://educationandtheinclusionoftechno.weebly.com/

Plus	Minus	Interesting
Integrates the technology that students are familiar with, into a class.	It could be challenging for a Learning manager, who is a digital immigrant to utilize and manipulate this tool.	It is being refereed to as the future of education (Hargadon, 2008)
Allows educators to posts relevant information (links, videos images) in a creative way	Not every student may have access to the internet
Allows parents to view what is being taught (Mulder-Slater, 2006) If students are away from school they have access the website and view materials discussed and tasks that need to be complete (Mulder-Slater, 2006) Is time efficient. And allows teachers to discuss a topic and move. Eg. More information on this is posted on the class website, look at this for homework. (Moulton, 2008), Allows Relevant information to be posted and accessed by students (Teaching with technology, 2003) Allows students to have control of their education and make them feel proactive in their education (Lowe, 2005)	Limited security (Grosseck, 2009) Allows amateurs to post invaluable contents (Grosseck, 2009) Leads to a low quality of the actual content (Grosseck, 2009)

Ideas for the classroom:
- Websites could be used to post classroom materials for future access
- Used to provide feedback for students
- Teachers could post readings for next class 
- Tips for assignments and exams 
- Term calenders with events due dates and other relevant information could be posted. 

Reference

Anderson, P. (2007) What is Web 2.0?Ideas, technologies and implications for education, retreieved from http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf

Grosseck, G (2008). To use or not to use web 2.0 in higher education?, Retrieved from 

http://webpages.csus.edu/~sac43949/pdfs/to%20use%20or%20not%20to%20use.pdf

Hargadon, S. (2008)

Web 2.0 Is the Future of Education, retrieved from 

http://www.stevehargadon.com/2008/03/web-20-is-future-of-education.html

Lowe, P. (2005). Teacher Designed Web Pages As A Classroom Tool: Creating Classroom Web Pages, retrieved from http://my-ecoach.com/online/webresourcelist.php?rlid=5742. 

Moulton, J. (2008). The Classroom Web Page: A Must-Have in 2008

http://www.edutopia.org/learning-alliances-building-a-better-school

Mulder-slater, A. (2006). Top Ten Reasons to Create a Classroom Web Page, Retrieved from http://www.kinderart.com/teachers/webpage.shtml

Teaching with technology (2003) Classroom Web Site, Retrieved from http://www.wmich.edu/teachenglish/subpages/technology/classwebsite.htm