Internet resource final
1. WebQuests are
one technology construct I am taking away from this course and utilizing in the
classroom. I am excited to be using a learning platform based in inquiry
learning where most of the information the reader accesses and learns from is
online. Webquests are almost completely
web based, and the learning activity connected with the web quest is usually an
authentic, real world task. I was unaware of this web 2.0 tool even though it
has been around for a number of years now. I am now more informed on the
construction and implementation of a webquest to use with my students. I
believe using this tool will strengthen the cohesiveness of my lesson plans and
units with tasks that implore the students to independently choose a topic, ask
questions, evaluate sources, think critically, summarize and present research or
projects. My students will have more motivation for learning using this tool because
it is challenging yet creative.
2. Behold
the revitalizing of the Wiki! Revitalize only because I found so many dead
or dying Wikis. I am definitely going to
use this strategy in my classroom. Developing a Wiki page is easier than I ever
imagined it would be. The most important part is keeping it alive and relevant.
Wikis are similar to document collaboration tools such as Microsoft word or
Google docs but instead of being private, this platform is published on the web
for easier access. Wikis are easily shared and collaborated with among students
and teachers. Anyone can register and keeping track of what has been added and
changed helps keep a system of checks and balances, or accountability. I plan
to have my students use Wikis in the classroom from now on.
3.
Internet
safety is of the utmost importance in today’s vast technological
world, especially since most teachers now employ curriculums that incorporate
the internet and the tools found on them. I was pleased to learn about the importance
and management of web safety through this course. It is definitely important to
have more than just the common and basic signature form to promote and provide internet
safety. There are actually models and games students can use to promote safety.
Investigative role playing is one of these models I learned about. The idea is
to have student’s research websites and discover which one is false, or a hoax website.
Students need to be tech savvy and constantly thinking critically to stay above
the reaches of the criminal cyber mind. Having
an array of activities to keep kids on their toes is very important. I have learned
how to do more than is required by districts by taking this course.
4. How to create social media platform is a
concept I learned through this course from the book study by Michael Hyatt:
Platform, Getting Noticed in a Noisy World. In this book Hyatt outlines the
process on how to become an influence online, becoming an effective online presence
and having your voice heard. But being heard on social media platforms isn’t
easy, in fact, it’s very difficult to reach out and land the presence you
intend. Hyatt introduces several methods to get your voice heard by using these
platforms. It is imperative to scaffold and slowly build your students into
using these platforms in the classroom. Hyatt advises to create a compelling
story as the first crucial directive. Start with a Wow factor on your platform.
Something intriguing and not mundane. Keeping students attention and enthusiasm
in building good platform for learning is imperative. Leaning how to build, how
often to post, using key words are all part of Hyatt’s plan to create and
maintain a successful, informative social media platform to use in the confines
of the classroom for educational learning purposes.
5.
Presentation
and Assessment tools equally important tools that I have discovered
taking this course. I was introduced to a multitude of new tools for presentation
and assessment. My favorite new presentation tool is definitely Prezi. I had a brief
experience with Prezi in the past but I never actually experience the power of
the tool until this year. Prezi is more than a PowerPoint slide because if
allows you to better capture the attention of your students or audience members.
It is also a great resource tool for students to use to present their projects.
The newest assessment tool that I like is Socrative. This tool allows teachers
to create polls, tests, quizzes or other exercises to check for assessment. The
best part is that students can use their smartphones. This makes learning more
fun because students can incorporate their cell devices into the classroom. Thanks
to these new tools, I will make my classroom a fun, learning environment.
