Webquests

In the past I have created Webquests for other graduate level classes with success. I found them to be user friendly because, having already been familiar with Powerpoint, I was able to create them with ease. The most difficult part of designing a Webquest I found was deciding on a topic. Once I had my topic, it was fairly easy to create an engaging Webquest using inserted images and hyperlinks. I liked designing a Webquest because it was exciting to create an authentic lesson that would be engaging for students. Webquests can be as interesting as you make them, so be sure to brush up on your Powerpoint skills before trying to create a Webquest.

In addition, I liked how easy it would be to differentiate instruction through the use of a Webquest. A teacher with students at various academic levels could create different Webquests for his/her students. These Webquests could address the same topic while making the content, process, and product all accessible for every student.

Since I have never had my own classroom, I have never had the opportunity to actually implement my Webquests with students. However, if I were a student, I think that they would be a fun way to learn. I would like not having to constantly listen to the lecturing teacher and I would like being able to individually work on them at my own pace.

One downside to Webquests is that they obviously may not align with everyone's preferred learning style. Webquests may also be difficult for beginners who are still learning how to read. Therefore, it is the teacher's job to ensure that the content and text in the Webquest is leveled appropriately for the students, as well as the websites that the teacher has the students access.

Powerpoint

Powerpoint can be a wonderful resource to use in the classroom. However, most people, including myself prior to starting my Masters, do not know how to use it to its fullest potential. Powerpoint has many features that can make it interactive and exciting to work with for students. You can add hyperlinks into the slides that are directly linked to websites. Adding hyperlinks allows the Powerpoint to be more interactive because students have direct access to more information and activities found on the Web. You can also add hyperlinks between slides within the Powerpoint. These hyperlinks create a Powerpoint that is essentially a Webquest. Making these Powerpoints with hyperlinks is great for teachers who do not have the ability to create a website or internet access within their classroom. The only downside to creating these interactive Powerpoints is that it takes time and design skills.

When creating a Powerpoint with the intention of making it fun and interactive for students it is important that the layout is also exciting. Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when designing an interactive Powerpoint:

1. Use age appropriate graphics that are related to the content
2. Have a unifying theme to the Powerpoint
3. Have a unified design/layout
4. Do not overcrowd the page with words
5. Use font that is 24pt. or larger
6. Use a font style that is easy to read

Using these simple tips will help any Powerpoint more user friendly. A few last fun touches to add include adding transitions to your Powerpoint which make the overall design more appealing. If you want to use a Powerpoint for one of your center activities in your classroom, you can even have the slides on a timer to change when you program them too. Lastly, if you choose to not use the Powerpoint for an in-class activity, it is an easily transmittable file that you could send to your students to complete for homework. These are just a couple ideas for using Powerpoint in instruction, but there are many other ways to use them as well. Do you have any suggestions?

Technology vs. Critical Thinking...?

 

I was surfing the web the other day and I stumbled upon this cartoon. It made me stop and think about the role of technology in the classroom and varying viewpoints. Here, the cartoonist is making a pun that technology, specifically computers, do not encourage critical thinking. Some people argue that the use of computers is teaching kids to be less reliant on their own common-sense and critical thinking skills. "Just push the button to get the right answer" is a song sung by many. Spell check on programs like Microsoft Word also do not teach our students to be aware of their own spelling. What happened to the old pen and ink method? These are all concerns of some teachers and critics based upon their lack of technological knowledge.

Yes, it is true that technology can be used in a way that only requires students to "click on "answers,"" but when used in an effective way, it can be an asset to instruction that requires students to reach Bloom's higher levels of thinking such as synthesis or evaluation. With the use of the internet, students must know how to search the web, analyze varying web addresses to determine if the information is relevant to them, and then synthesize the information in a meaningful way. These steps require much critical thinking and are not simply a click and receive method. Yes, the internet gives students much easier access to information, but it does not lower their required level of critical thinking.

Social Media in the classroom?

With the rise of social media, there has been much discussion over its use in the classroom. Some people believe it has no place in the classroom while others believe it should be used by all teachers as an asset to instruction. I believe that there is a place for social media and technology in the classroom, however it has its limits. Social media should be used as an aid within the classroom, not a means for prying into one's private life. Teachers, in particular, have their own lives outside of school and there needs to be a professional boundary between the teachers and his/her students. However, social media can be used to engage students in learning and bring out their creativity in new ways. Many students prefer the newest forms of technology, so using it within the classroom will help spark their interest and make the content more relateable and more meaningful to them. Social media, such as Skype, also allows students to connect with others from all over the globe, which would be more difficult with older technology. For these few simple reasons, I think social media can be a useful and helpful aid to instruction. However, since there are differing viewpoints on the subject, what are your thoughts?

Check out this link to a really informational and fun poster that details 25 ways to use social media in the classroom!

http://edudemic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/teacher-social-media.pdf