I'm a Web Author!

The Web Quest I created for the instructional technology course was the first time I had created an assignment that students could access online. There are many great benefits to posting interactive assignments on a website that includes:

• Easy accessibility for students, even at home;
• Parents have access to their child’s assignments to help keep them on track;
• Students learn about how to use technology in a positive way;
• Using Web Quests for assignments is a great way to go green.

My 13-year old son has had Web Quest assignments that he has accessed at home. I do like the way the Internet resources are already linked so he does not have to surf the Internet. The assignments are usually quick and concise. He likes using the computer to complete the assignment and I like the fact that he can’t accidently leave an assignment at school.

Web Quests are a great way for students to use technology in a positive way. Many times we try to keep our children away from technology because it is the great unknown for many parents. The Internet can be a dangerous place for children if they are not aware of how to represent themselves online. Using technology in the classroom in these regards is constructive way for students to learn about how to appropriately use technology.

Web Quest assignments are a great resource for going green! Teachers don’t have to use so much paper printing out assignments and students don’t have to worry about making sure their paper assignments make it home. Let’s face it -- all paper assignments end up in the garbage at some point. Using this dual approach also assists in a school’s effort to go green.

Wiki What?

The Wiki assignment was my first attempt to access Wiki and my first effort to gain an understanding of how, when, and why to use it. After reading the assignment materials and doing some research on my own, I realized that this could be a great tool to use not only within the classroom, but within my personal life as well.

In the classroom, I can see its use being beneficial just how it was for us as we completed our assignment using Wiki. There were many topics to research. Instead every student researching every topic, we split them up and only researched a couple each and then shared them with each other. It was a way for us to learn so much more, so much quicker. Because each individual topic was defined and resource links were provided, it gave all of us students easy access to all topics for quick reference.

Wiki can also be used within the classroom when small group projects are assigned. Groups can work together using Wiki so that their efforts aren't duplicated. The Wiki work-page would keep them focused and on task. The Wiki work-page would also be available to the teacher so that he/she would be able to review the progress of the group and add comments and/or concerns for the entire group to view.

On a personal note, immediately after reviewing the You Tube visual regarding Wiki, my first thought went to camping. My family camps with a group of families from late spring to early fall. When we begin to get ready for a trip, the emails begin to flow. After the third or fourth email, it gets really confusing as to who is doing what and when. Upon viewing the You Tube tutorial, I decided then and there that I was going to set up a camping Wiki work-page and I was going to do a mini Wiki presentation around the campfire during our first camping exertion to educate everyone on this great tool that we can use to plan our trips.

I'll comment on my post after our first camping trip to update my followers on how receptive the group was in regards to learning about this new technology and their willingness to use it. To be continued.....

Technology...Yikes!

I use technology on a daily basis. I know what I need to know about technology and that typically changes daily. Technology advances so quickly that it's difficult to determine what you need to know not only on a personal level, but on a professional level as well.

Teachers even have a more difficult task when accessing technology because they are challenged to challenge their students. Using technology in the classroom can not only enhance a lesson, but it can also be a part of the lesson. Implementing technology within a lesson can become time consuming.

I found it quite difficult to include technology when I was student teaching in a GED program. There was so much material that I had to pack in a three hour time period each night, I always felt that using technology would not enhance the lesson, but it would slow it down. However; when I student taught in a high school business class, I felt the use of technology was imperative and worth the effort.

Many concerns need to be taken into consideration when making the decision to use technology in the classroom, or not, and if so, how extensive to use it. I'm looking forward to learning more about the "tools of the trade" in my instructional technology class.