The use of the Web in teaching and learning has been seen as an opportunity to reach new resources that cannot be brought into the classroom as easily. But the web has also produced a change in the concept of the physical space of a classroom, the discussion of [classroom = learning space] is ongoing.
Some teachers devote classroom time to use the web resources as class materials with their students. Others prefer to use the web as an extension of the classroom, and encourage their students to explore on their own, and to engage in discussion forums and other activities.
Do you think the web resources should be used "in the classroom" under teacher's supervision; or "out of the classroom" as an opportunity for self learning and exploration?
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8 comments:
If I understand correctly, you mean that using the web out of the classroom is a 'self learning' experience as opposed to a homework assignment?
Shannon,
It seems that integrating the web in your class is an impossible task for now. If you had to convince your administrators to change the policy, what would be your main argument.
Kim,
do you encourage students to use the web for enrichment within the class period or out of the class?
Cheryl,
You give students the basics to do research by themselves, and it is good that they google some topics to find out more. Do you think that you could use a blog like this as a forum?
Your remarks about teacher time out of the classroom bring me the memory of some examples of courses which provide online resources for students to 1) practice via quizzes that produce automated feedback; 2) revise and enrich the topic of the day, without need of a teacher supervision or grading; 3) provide an introduction to the topic that will be presented next day in class; 4) do their assignments instead of in paper.
Of course these options do not demand teacher's work out of class, but they do require that students have access to the internet.
The most important aspect of this is not the fact that it can be used but the reason why it should be used. If there are no good reasons that persuade the teacher that the internet should be integrated in the teaching and learning process, then there are no reasons for doing it.
Cyberbulling.. that is a good point Hyung.
I agree with Craig and Bret. I try to use the Internet with my students, when it's possible, at school. I think it is very important for students to learn how to evaluate a website for content and credibility. I have done this with my students in the past and I am confident they learned from this lesson based on their comments. If students don't learn these proper evaluation techniques at school it is not likely they will learn them on their own at home. I do think students should also use the web at home, but they need to be careful. Giving them the proper knowledge at school will enable them to navigate the Internet at home in a more useful, efficient way. I do think that the Internet has a myriad of information to offer, but students need to be made aware of how best to use it.
As for using the Internet to engage in blogs or online learning projects at school, although I think these would be wonderful tools to use in the classroom, my school doesn't allow it at this time. If students want to participate in blogs at home on their own, I'd encourage it, but at the same time, I'd caution them to be serious about it and not give out too much personal information that could potentially put them in danger. I think that if students became involved in some sort of blog about their interests, such as music, or a favorite destination they have been to, etc., that it could really be a great opportunity for them to grow, communicate with others, and learn.
I have used the web as an extension to my classroom many times. We have utilized many differnt sites to broaden the scope in which we find/access information.
It is tought to require use outside of the classroom. Some kids do not have access to computers or the internet. Although our lab is open, the kids often do not have the time to spare during the school day.
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