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EDCI 410 - Module 2 Module 2 Purpose The purpose of this module is to give specific details and examples of how the Internet can be used in classrooms as an instructional tool. The first part of the module is a review of what the Internet is and some of the major terms associated with it. Internet 101 was created for those who want to know just the basics. This guide will provide you with enough knowledge to have fun on the Internet, yet will not bore you with too many details. A second part of this module examines why educators, administrators, parents and other stakeholders support the use of the Internet and World Wide Web in classrooms and schools? What are the reasons why this technology should be used? Teachers are looking for valuable access ramps to the information super highway in order to make the Internet experience meaningful in their class. Their goal is to create an effective learning environment, but the Internet is such a new "place", that many feel lost. This section will address those concerns. The third section relates to technology and how it might be integrated into the curriculum. Examples from various sources as well as Alberta Education will be surveyed. The fourth section takes a critical look at information coming from the Internet. How good is this information and what kinds of Webpages are there and how are they designed to share information. Module 2 Objectives
Module 2 Resources Each class member is expected to briefly review all of the resources below including the powerpoint on-line presentation. The first part of the Resources section is a review of Internet terms. Please skim through this section and brush up on the wide variety of technology and Internet terms in preparation for a quiz on Internet 101. What is the Internet?
Is the Internet a useful tool for a classroom? The Internet can deliver video, but not as quickly as videotape, television, or CD-ROM. It can carry real time personal interaction, but not as well as telephone or video conferencing. It can display textual information, but not a usefully as a book or magazine. Why then should the Internet ever be used? The Net has two real advantages over other media. It combines advantages of other media so that it conveys video and sound better than a book, is more interactive than a videotape and, unlike a CD-ROM, it can link people from around the world cheaply. The second advantage, and one that is often overlooked when discussing the Internet as a delivery system, is that it can also be a content provider. The Internet is, arguably, the largest and most diverse information resource in the world today. It is possible to incorporate the wealth of information available on the Net in your design Why Use the Internet?
Examination of some Webquest Projects Try
this Webquest for fun
Technology and Curriculum integration. What is expected? Many provinces including Alberta have a specific technology curriculum which is intended to provide a broad perspective on the nature of technology and its impact on society. Students are encouraged to grapple with the complexities, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, of technologies in our lives and workplaces. Please look at the following sites and examine the expectations for Alberta students as well as how the Internet can be integrated into the curriculum in a general way. In Alberta
Schools (Click on Illustrative Examples Database and select your
grade level for specific examples of how technology is being
integrated into Alberta classrooms)
Integrating
the Internet
The quality of resources on the Web varies tremendously. It is important to always look at 5 major indicators of a quality site: Accuracy, Authority, Objectivity, Currency, Coverage. Examine all of the following sites to get a real sense of what constitutes quality. Evaluating
Internet Information (Powerpoint Presentation)
Class Assignment 3 (due at the beginning of class July 13) Module 2 Assignments Assignment 2 - Due July 12 I would like you to read Part 3 and Part 4 of a series of articles sponsored by the Canadian Teacher's Federation found HERE. In the Third article, claims that technology in the classroom will improve student learning are questioned. Respected researchers point out some of the research shortcomings: failure to adequately describe control group activities; failure to control for possible interactions among teaching and learning variables; and the problems associated with generalizing the results of studies carried out in "ideal" settings to typical classroms and schools. The Fourth part looks at the costs of introducing and maintaining information technology in the classroom. Studies point out that the costs of information technologies go well beyond the initial cost of the hardware, citing continuous upgrading, maintenance and teacher training as a never ending cycle of related costs. The impact of this on traditional education resources, such as library books and school music programs should not be underestimated. A fundamental unanswered question is whether the technologies really add sufficiently to the educational enterprise to warrant such substantial investments Here are some other sites which question the use of technology:Embrace Technology - Teacher's told Technology outcomes pooh-poohed From these articles and the two websites summarize in ONE page the main points why teachers might be against the use of technology in schools. Do their arguments make sense? in your opinion are these strong arguments? ******************* The Internet is a treasure-trove of information for educators and students. However, this treasure-trove can serve to waste a great deal of time for the user if not searched wisely. In a ONE page analysis, describe how a teacher would use "Search Engines" to "surf the Net". What are the best? What is a meta-search engine? Click on the following sites to find about "surfing". Here is an accumulation of
Search
Engines at my website. Note the meta search engines and the
specific Canadian Search engines - Canada.com and Alta Vista.com
This is due to be handed in on July 12. |