final blog

Impact, benefit, and possible lack of benefits blogging has in our discipline and area of specialty
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Blogging is an efficient and effective way to share ideas to a small group at once in a common forum. It appears that the shared area to post ideas, view the history and development of ideas conveniently, along with regular feedback, is a much simpler and effective method than a system of group emailings, while providing a convenient history to reference that a series of conference calls can not. It also allows the flexibility of being accessable for input and reading at any time.
The realization of these positive aspects of using blogging has a possible impact on our disciplines and areas of specialty in the sense that we are probably now aware and comfortable with using the idea of blogs as teachers. Communication and sharing of ideas is an important aspect in the teaching profession, and can be applied to a huge range of things like social impact blogs, school pride blogs, sports programs, and thousands of other topics that might arise from both the student body and the teachers.
With this exposure to blogging, i expect our blog members will be able to translate this experience into their teaching profession at some point in many different possible ways.


Besides the general possiblities of blogging itself, our choice of blog topic has also at the very least stimulated the members of our groups to consider how the use of web resources could impact the environment in which they are going to be teaching. Specific ideas that will impact our approach to technologies in a school setting are (1) how disparities in social-economic status will affect the use of internet based resources that require computers and possible ways to circumvent or minimize the need for a computer (2) possible limitations in the use of the internet (3) the ability to provide and exchange information with students and parents (4) the concept of using web-based resources to facilitate parental involvement in student success (5) general ideas on how web resources could be used as more elaborate applications like correspondence courses, or something like WebCT.

Like any group project, the ability to draw on the experiences and backgrounds of many individuals makes the depth and insight to any idea greater than any individual could do alone. There were many interesting and important topics that one member had not considered when the ideas began to flow. Given enough time, and input from a variety of sources, i think this idea could have a natural development into many areas; especially if some of the input were to come from veteran teachers and those who already have experience with internet technologies.

As far as possible lack of benefits to our blogging this topic, i am unable to think of any true drawbacks to the process. Blogging is not overly time consuming for the quality of information shared amongst individuals with similiar interests, the blog system is reasonably user friendly, and with a good moderator, the blog can be kept clean, focused, and on topic.

core webpage use by students parents and teachers

Part of the concerns i have read revolve around equal access, the limitations of on-line course work, and how internet materials have drawbacks for a variety of reasons.

When i first thought of how to use webpages in schools effectively, it wasnt meant to be some kind of correspondence course, or amplify social-economic gaps in the student body by providing information a student would only find through the computer.

In my initial vision, it is only a supplementary aspect that allows some added benefit above and beyond the current system & structure. All students should have the same basic information as they do now, but for those with a computer there are some added benefit for everyone depending on the circumstances.

In the barest form it is meant to at the least, (1) provide a calendar of events for students and parents so that they each can see & plan for tests and the progression of the course. (2) It is also meant to be a source of easy information on what material, especially homework assignments the student is expected to be doing. One of the major difficulties i encountered was how to make the students more accountable for their course work, without having to resort to direct parent contact. Having the parents able to see what the student responsibilities are without phone calls and special meetings should aid my efforts to bring results.

If the online resources did nothing more that that; keeping students and parents informed on the course structure and timeline, while defining daily & weekly work expectations that the parents can enforce in the home environment, then i would be satisfied. I think web resources can also do much more than that, each with associated challenges and difficulties to make them work effectively.

As far as making a webpage like a quasi-webCT, i am sure there is a fair and reasonable way to have that set up. For example, students registering in the course must have a formal agreement that they have reasonable access to a computer, so at least students in the course itself are on equal footing . . . the challenges of unequal access to the course itself is a related issue that can be argued along with other social injustices. Here we are in an online course, in a school system that also requires big money to attend, but the university doesnt get picketted for social inequality on that topic i dont think . . . the government does hehe.

For other aspects of online resources, there are computer labs at the school where the work can be done, and information accessed on the school's time as part of the curriculum. There is a big push to keep students current with compters and technology so that they can stay in pace with our modern civilization expectations. We no longer have the abacus in the curriculum, but at one point is was neccessary. Now computer knowledge has been deemed neccessary, and maybe essential to a good education, to be a part of this society. To avoid imbalances, computer time is slotted into the school as part of all the other courses, and has its share of success.

What else can i rant about ? P.E. hmmmm has to be any range of things from researching games from other countries to nutirition information, to keeping up to date on high-level sports like the olympics or professional teams, to building things like tournament schedules or structuring sports program for a school team . .. .

rawr

internet accessibility

I am having mixed feelings about this topic, I see the need for use of technology in the classroom, but I also have issues with access to or lack of access to computers for some students. Someone had mentioned about access to computers and I see this as a valid point, many kids don't have a computer at home, not to mention the internet. So it would be unfair to give information over the web that is not readily available to every single student.

Also, I am originally from Lamont, which is only 45 minutes NE of Edmonton and my parents are still not candidates for high speed internet. If we were to make information available on the the internet while teachers are on strike, not everyone would have easy access to the internet due to location. My point is in the city internet is relatively affordable (for some), and I think we take it for granted, because many communities don't have the luxury. I guess what I am trying to say is that the internet needs to come a long way in order for this idea to work effectively.

Low-tech

Going through elementary school in the eighties, computers were a rare treat. I remember learning turtle (that's how old I am!!!) I am not a technologically -savvy person by any means. I am a tactile person - in a hands-on way. To me, the thought of incorporating computers in lessons scares me.

I learned that there are curriculum expectations that include the use of computers and I do not like that. I believe that children are using computers all the time outside of school and we are losing the art of other media of learning. Perhaps I am traditional, but I want to return education to a place where children have to be creative, where they have to use their imagination instead of just turning on the television or surfing the web for other people's ideas. I realize that the internet allows for different learning opportunities... but I guess I'm old-fashioned! What you you think?

Ms. GuitarStrings

Physical Education

I am not only doing a degree in elementary education, but I am also doing a degree in Physical Education, and it is a five year combined program. I was just wondering how the internet could be helpful to myself and to the students in the field of Phys. Ed. Some of the things in which I have thought about is how the internet could help with health and nutrition, as well as excerise and keeping children active. I am not a big fan of video games at all, because I think that children should be outside doing things to become more active. The internet could probably provide information to the parents and the students on why it is important to be active and information on the problems associated with obesity. I guess I am just wondering how else the internet could be more helpful to these studens, parents, and myself. If you have any thoughts about how the use of webpages could increase physical education, it would really help and be appreciated.

Access to the internet

I am interested in teaching marginalized populations, so it made me think about students' ability to access the internet. Not every household has internet or even a computer. A student without internet access at home will have to go to a library or another public place to use it. Other than being inconvenient, it is also possible that it is an elementary student whose parents are working in the evenings, or who don't own a car, or who cannot afford to take an extra bus trip to get the child to the library. So if a school board adapts webpages as a tool/means to communicate with students and parents, will we be excluding sections of the population?

Quasi- WebCT?

I've been thinking about this topic for a day or two, and it would appear as though it might be a good option to implement some sort of WebCT-like programme for junior and senior high students. I'm basically referring to some sort of WebSite that will allow students to view assignment questions, a syllabus, a means of asking teachers questions during non-school hours, a way to check up on grades, and a chat room where students can communicate with their teachers and peers.
This would serve many purposes: it would allow students to access the program from home and further their learning process; it would afford parents a greater opportunity to become more involved in their children's learning; it allows students the opportunity to get more experience with computers; it will also provide students with a forum to exchange ideas and discuss ways of doing assignments.
Of course this would require that schools/boards hire some sort of IT Sepecialist to keep the site up and running, but this isn't too crazy an idea, as most school divisions have one or two of these people anyways.
Let me know what y'all think,
Grant

content

what items would you consider useful to have on a student/parent/teacher webresource page ?

Examples are:

(1) links to curriculum requirements of the province/region you are teaching in

(2) practice assessment material (old tests, quizzes)

(3) links to interesting (curriculum content) related sites (i.e. bridges for physic's structure unit)

(4) contact information

(5) course expectations

(6) daily assignment information

(7) chapters + pages in text /resource books that are required reading or relate to the lesson


I'll stop there before i get too carried away to give everyone else a chance to brainstorm :)

two possible major ways to organize the on line webpages

i can see at least two different scenarios for this system that can be done at the same time if desired.

One involves teachers who are comfortable with technology and able to set up their own page and set of resources with minimal help, and then give the students the URL and information on how to navigate the information. (the webspace/storage would ideally be supplied by the school district)

The other is having a central school site that contains links to specific teacher/class pages for information. The pages could be set up so all students initially go to one area (to log in for example if log in steps are neccessary for information protection), then they can navigate to any and all of their classes that have online information.
For the teachers that are not computer inclined or want to do minimal effort to get it going, they could be directed to a premade template where they just had to type in the basic (and specific) information in to a user friendly date entry page. This information would then process onto the page set aside for their class. (similar to the angelfire/geocities webpage building process. simple, no html, no fussing = webpage made with little effort)

something to ponder

What if some teachers got together and formulated a website that any student could use. This website would do as Phoenix suggested and give text readings, assignments, worksheets etc. This website could follow the objectives that are set out by the curriculum for each grade and subject.

OR...Would this be too hard considering that teachers present information differently and use different resources?

I don't know the answer...What do you guys think?

Great Idea

This is a great idea. I feel that a tool like the one you suggested is one that we, as teachers, could all use to our advantage. This is a great way for parents to be kept "in the loop" with their children's progress in school. I think it would be great if parents were given a protected password to enter a school site that would give them access to their children's marks, homework, attendance etc. This could also serve as a line of communication between the parents and the teacher. From experience it is hard to get hold of people by phone at times, I find if I email them, I often hear back from them sooner than by phone.

another tester

Hello there,

I, too, am just trying this blogging out. So this is just a tester as well.

Katie

premise exemplar

The current teachers' strike situation is a good example of how the web information would be very useful to both students and parents, with minimal impact on the responsible teacher. The students no longer have direct access to course materials, but they would be able to look up the appropriate information they are supposed to be doing (chapters and questions from the text, worksheet numbers to do from a worksheet package, links to online tutorials on a specific subject, online quizes, ect) from the website as one example.

tester

first time post to get familiar with posting on thar shiny new bloggage