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[See also... Web 2.0 Overview] |
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Reflections on Practice |
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The 'Net is not just about being "connected"...it is about interactions and sharing. What does this mean for teachers?
- Connect to Our Own Resources. Using online tools and processes online can help us all manage our own resources better. For example, we can keep track of favourite websites on a password-protected web server, so that we can access them from any computer.
- Share Resources With Students and Colleagues. By interacting with curricular resources, in a contextualized activity shaped by you, your students can develop new understandings within a real-world context.
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Connect to Other People. By interacting with other people, in activities shaped by you, your students can develop new understandings through conversations.
Whether telecollaborating with students in other locations, or communicating with mentors, students again can meet curricular outcomes innovatively--by tapping into minds of people in different environments--to develop their understanding from multiple perspectives.
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Do I have to change the way I teach now that my classroom is "online"? |
| Teachers are being challenged to extend their instructional skills, creativity, and curricular resources incorporating the use of technology. Teacher centered instruction is not replaced, but Internet oriented learning resources expand the classroom by allowing students to:
- explore the world
- analyze what they find
- synthesize new ideas to form their own conclusions
This process of teaching students how to think and how to solve problems is critical in instructing with Internet-based resources. When using this technology-enriched processes, a teacher moves from the "sage on the stage" to the "guide on the side". Challenging ...yes... - difficult.....no.
As you develop lessons and units using
Internet resources, perhaps with new technologies, you will discover that
the resources enrich the lesson; it is your own style and personal
qualities that create and sustain the learning environment.
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| Effective Use of Online Resources |
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The journey you take to incorporate Internet resources can involve at least three stages. The path you take is not important. What is important is that you begin the journey and travel toward the goal of integrating technology.
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The first path is the foundations stage, where you view existing resources that integrate Internet curriculum resources. Analyse these learning resources to determine which fit your needs.
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The second path is the exploration stage, which allows you to extend your understanding of what resources are available. You are now ready to begin getting involved in selecting your own online resources. This preparation stage may be ongoing so do not worry if you are not ready for immediate implementation.
It will take some time to develop some fundamental skills in "mining the 'Net", but it's worth it!
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To prepare yourself to go online and find Internet resources, use 2Learn.ca's skill builders in Search and Research or click on menu tab at the top of this page.. |
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The third path is the empowerment stage, which allows you to create online resources and learning environments that capitalize on the benefits of information and communication technologies.
Start with one activity, project or resource that you can share with colleagues virtually via the 'Net.
Once you have selected your online resources
to suit your purpose and objectives, build an effective, authentic
learning experience for your students.
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Interested in exploring online learning environments at 2Learn.ca? Visit Gateways 2Learning or click on menu tab at the top of this page.. |
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Issues and Solutions |
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Create and maintain a learning environment that fosters responsible web use through the use of 2Learn.ca resources.
What are the issues here?
- Students shouldn't be accessing inappropriate web resources.
- Especially for new users, time spent searching for web resources is inefficient at best.
- Thirty students on thirty different web sites at one time can be a challenge, both technologically and in classroom management!
- Because of other curricular demands, there is limited time to teach our students the Internet skills necessary for them to become capable web users.
What are some solutions@www.2Learn.ca?
Shape your students' learning environment to maximize access to authentic, high quality, useful resources. Here's how:
- Provide students with useful websites to eliminate their search time.
Students work with web resources gathered for them by teachers, whether exploring a single site or a collection of sites.
- When students conduct independent searches, ensure they use reputable search engines, are familiar with good search techniques, and are familiar with safe use practices. Provide students with guidance and tools to help them evaluate sites.
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NetKnowHow.ca's Search & Research provides excellent resources to assist students with evaluating sites. |
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Explore NetKnowHow.ca's Safety 'Net to learn about safe use practices. |
- Make students accountable for keeping track of sites they visit and responsible citation of web resources.
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Use NetKnowHow.ca's citation resources and also the citation tools in the student websites. |
- Make students aware from the start of copyright concerns.
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Familiarize yourself with NetKnowHow.ca's Copyright & Teaching resources to understand the responsibilities you and your students have. |
- Make behaviour expectations and consequences clear.
Investigate whether your school district has an Acceptable Use Policy, signed by students and their parents before students can access the Internet.
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AUPs and filtering are reviewed in NetKnowHow.ca's Safety 'Net. |
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Outstanding resources in NetKnowHow.ca's Cyberbullying help students monitor their own behaviour and also identify when they are being bullied online.
Also included are teacher and parent resources. |
- Provide students with worthwhile technology-infused curricular-focused tools and activities and projects.
Provide students with curricular activities that allow you to integrate ICT outcomes while you continue to focus on your curriculum. Involve students in shaping their online explorations and curriculum-based interactions.
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Investigate the use of Web 2.0 Tools to learn about innovative tools. |
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By recognizing the issues that can inhibit effective integration of web resources and processes, we can prepare ourselves...
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to have a plan in place to respond to issues as they arise.
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to create ways of minimizing the potential for problems to occur in the first place.
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to consider how using web
resources and processes can maximize learning and provide experiences not possible before.
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