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K 12_Class_Websites_as_an_Educational_Tool

Page history last edited by H_Wilson 14 years, 10 months ago

 

Class Website as an Educational Tool

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

Introduction

"Pay Attention" Video

What is a Course-Management System Anyway?

Conclusion

References

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Introduction 

The Earth is shrinking. Over the past one hundred years distances that seemed unreachable are now at our fingertips, thanks to technology. No longer do we have to wait to see a friend or loved one in person for communication purposes, a videoconference can be set up in moments. In fact, we no longer have to wait for much of anything. In 2003, Kaiser Family Foundation found that seventy percent of our nations four to six year olds have used a computer, and in any given day sixty-eight percent of children under two will use screen media for an average of just over two hours” (Blanchard, 2004). This is the culture that we have established and our children are a part of. Is the present culture taking its affect on the way schools run and is it necessary to make adjustments in the classroom? In other words, should we as educators make the necessary modifications in our classrooms to fit the present culture? The argument presented endorses the stance that technology is an absolute necessity in the classroom.

 

 

 

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What is a Course-Management System Anyway? 

A course-management system is a software program that allows “controlled exchanges via the internet” of just about any kind of information related to the course (Trotter, 2008). Several higher education institutes have invested in “Moodle” or “Blackboard” as an online course-management system. Researchers argue which is the best candidate for the exceptional learning environment, but the bottom-line is agreed between researchers that technology based environments provide a higher quality of learning experiences (Norton, 2008). On the other hand, there are some researchers that disagree. They say that there is a disconnect as was experienced by a teacher at the International School of Brussels in Belgium who reported that “technology has failed to improve links between her school and student’s home” (Culea, 2008). Likewise, while Kupetz contends in his article “Is the Paperless Classroom Possible?” that a paperless classroom for future schools will reduce costs, yet going digital will have a high price tag as well.

 

 

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Conclusion 

Though none can disregard the error claims against technology, no one can ignore the benefits recorded as a product of technology. For instance, a recent study explored students’ perceptions of the value that technology brings to the classroom. The results suggest students maintain the perception that teaching methods, such as PowerPoint, videos, and other computer programs, are effective in increasing their learning (D'Angelo, 2007). Conclusively, results from another study suggest that when statistics course requirements included the use of web-based instruction (WBI), such as Blackboard’s online support, class levels of math anxiety were reduced. Similarly, classes that required student participation in online discussion forums, it was observed that self-esteem levels appeared to have been enhanced (Van Gundy, 2006).

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The following is a link to a good example of how a classroom website can be used as an educational tool for both students and fellow 3rd grade teachers. I personally use this site myself.

http://web.mac.com/tnaney/Sharing/Welcome.html

 

K12 Class websites can be used for promoting communication between the instructor, students, and parents.  TeacherWeb offers inexpensive web sites with a variety of features.

 

 

 

___________________Links & References___________________

 

      

Blanchard, J. (2004). Web-Based Learning in K-12 Classrooms: Opportunities and Challenges

           Computers in the schools, 21(3/4), 5-165. 

Culea, H. (2008). Has Technology Improved Your Home-to-School Connection? No. Learning and

leading with technology, 35(5), 8-9.

Van Gundy, K. (2006). Effects of Web-Based Instruction on Math Anxiety, the Sense of Mastery,

and Global Self-Esteem: A Quasi-Experimental Study of Undergraduate Statistics. Teaching Sociology, 34(4), 370-388.

D'Angelo, J. M. (2007). Technology in the Classroom: Friend or Foe. Education (Chula Vista,

Calif.) v. 127 no. 4 p. 462-71 

Norton, P. (2008). Exploring Two Teacher Education Online Learning Designs: A Classroom of

One or Many?. Journal of research on technology in education, 40(4), 475-495.

Trotter, A. (2008). Blackboard vs. Moodle. Education Week's Digital Directions (Spring/Summer 2008) p. 21

Van Gundy, K. (2006). Effects of Web-Based Instruction on Math Anxiety, the Sense of Mastery,

            and Global Self-Esteem: A Quasi-Experimental Study of Undergraduate Statistics.           

            Teaching Sociology, 34(4), 370-388.

Teacher Tube:http://www.teachertube.com

 

 

 

 

Comments (3)

sguiles said

at 7:02 am on May 16, 2009

Wow. You included MUSIC and video. :)

tresaberry said

at 7:48 am on May 18, 2009

Looks good! The Reference for Culea is missing the end. It probably was cut off accidentally.
Is the reference for Trotter a journal? If so, do you have the volume number?

H_Wilson said

at 7:33 pm on May 18, 2009

Ok, I made those corrections...Thanks for your help!

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