Wikispaces are a very nice tool to use in the classroom when wanting to promote discussions and heighten student involvement. The students are able to go onto the page and edit/add any information on whatever topic that is being learned. The students are able to work on it from their own home and at whatever time is most convenient for them, assuming they have internet access and a computer. I think the best part about the usage of this online tool is the fact that the students build off of each other, and learn from one another.
I got a little frustrated when first beginning my Wiki, for the reason I am so used to using Weebly now and all that it has to offer. I was irritated that I couldn't attain a certain look that I had in my head for my chosen lesson plan. But I quickly got over it after our last class discussion when the professor put it into perspective for me, stating that it is built for the students and for them to engage on the site.
I learned about WebQuests between the two classes took this semester, and I chose to utilize that when creating my lesson plan and Wiki. Being in Special Education, I found it difficult to think of a lesson plan, being that I don't exactly know where I will end up with this degree. Knowing this, I used a topic that I had used from my other class when doing a literature text set and created a webquest (I used Weebly for that one). I chose to do a topic of Sameness within Diversity, designated towards a younger student population (perhaps fourth to sixth grades). I found it really fun, and although I tweaked the WebQuest a bit to implement more technology for this given assignment, I still think it turned out pretty nice. I feel like I wanted to keep adding or revising it with every idea I got, so I can't say it is 100% completed. I think this is something I could definitely be working on even being done with this class.
Click on the snapshot below to be directed to my Wiki!
I got a little frustrated when first beginning my Wiki, for the reason I am so used to using Weebly now and all that it has to offer. I was irritated that I couldn't attain a certain look that I had in my head for my chosen lesson plan. But I quickly got over it after our last class discussion when the professor put it into perspective for me, stating that it is built for the students and for them to engage on the site.
I learned about WebQuests between the two classes took this semester, and I chose to utilize that when creating my lesson plan and Wiki. Being in Special Education, I found it difficult to think of a lesson plan, being that I don't exactly know where I will end up with this degree. Knowing this, I used a topic that I had used from my other class when doing a literature text set and created a webquest (I used Weebly for that one). I chose to do a topic of Sameness within Diversity, designated towards a younger student population (perhaps fourth to sixth grades). I found it really fun, and although I tweaked the WebQuest a bit to implement more technology for this given assignment, I still think it turned out pretty nice. I feel like I wanted to keep adding or revising it with every idea I got, so I can't say it is 100% completed. I think this is something I could definitely be working on even being done with this class.
Click on the snapshot below to be directed to my Wiki!
I am not currently teaching nor have I ever taught before. I got pretty worried about the depth of some of the examples I looked at, but I feel like my lesson plan turned out okay. I believe that lesson plans could be good to have for the reason of having an agenda and knowing what activities you have planned to go along with what topic. Once it gets down into how many minutes or transitioning activities, and all of the down to the nitty gritty details, I think that's a bit much. I do not think you should put a time on the learning experience and what is being done. I know you have to have a limit, but you can't assume it'd go that smoothly, especially being in special education and attending to the students who really need the help. My lesson plan is on the Teacher Page of my Wiki.
Comparing Technology Lesson Plans and Non-Technology Lesson Plans
Lastly, I found this YouTube video presentation made by a student who had a similar assignment as the one we had. They were to explore and compare the two kinds of lesson plans. She seemed to be in great favor or teachers who implement technology into their classrooms, especially after her observations and student teaching herself. Likewise, I think using the technology changes learning greatly. The students can learn the information in so many different and interesting ways with technology. They engage more and seem to want to do it. It fosters creativity and attentiveness. Especially being at the end of this semester, and being exposed to all of the benefits and different tools offered, I could go on and on about the bettering of education due to technology. Some people are afraid of the technology, and think that we are going too far. I was on the fence, I could have gone either way on the topic, only before taking this class.