Module 7 – Web2.0 Resources

Web-based resources and how you can integrate them into your teaching

In my previous post i described different ways you could use Web2.0 tools in your teaching.

In this post, I will talk more to specific web based resources and how you can integrate them into your teaching.

M. D. Roblyer & Aaron H. Doering outline a framework for web based activities and break them down to four types: Individual lesson plans, online lesson enhancements, completely online courses and curriculum, and all inclusive online courses, curriculum and learning environment. I will describe two of these below:

1. Individual Lesson Plan

Students need to access Google Maps (http://maps.google.com.au/maps) locate their school and find:

1. Where they can go that is close to 2.5km away.
2. Calculate their ‘Run to Melbourne’ distance.
   1. How far did they get?
   2. If they ran in a different direction, where would they have ended up (North, South, East, or West)?

Students then find their own home using Google Maps, and investigate the following scenario:

1. You are going on a holiday on your bike.  You need to ride at least 1,000 km but not more than 1,200 km.  Where might you travel?

Students need to consider a number of different issues in this technology rich activity, including how to estimate the distance of curved roads, directions & compass points, and what does ‘close to’ mean on a map.

2. Online lesson Enhancements

I’ve always believed in the effectiveness of using a resource like YouTube in the classroom. I think its name alone, because of its popularity and relevance among youth can work well in engaging students. Secondly the wealth of information in the form of videos is endless and they involve lectures, conference talks, interviews and so forth – all from highly regarded and qualified individuals so the credibility of this information is also unquestionable. Thirdly it is so easily accessible making its use in the classroom not a big hassle for teachers.

As mentioned in my previous post, teachers can use Khan’s academy to enhance their lessons. Often you need to read something multiple times before understanding what is being said. Other times, hearing someone else read it to you is also helpful. Similarly, being taught a concept multiple times from different teachers can be very beneficial to enhance learning.

Khan’s Academy provides online lesson videos on most of the mathematics curriculum. During my teaching, i supplemented my lessons with links to video explanations of the lesson taught so that students can refer to them if they walked away not feeling like they understood the concepts well. Here’s an example video,