Hi all,
In the beginning (the construction phase) I once again felt out of my depth. When constructing my website (which you can access here) I found there were too many different options and it was not clear how to work through them or where the next option was going. After creating my website I used the SWOT analysis below to analyse websites as a digital tool.
Strengths
• It is another medium for students to publish their work.
• Promotes creativity.
• Other students, parents and community members can have easy access to view students work.
• Good to guide a student inquiry – students visit the website to work through tasks.
Weaknesses
• Cannot update or change after publishing the website.
• The blog option on a website does not allow for further posts.
• Students with low technological literacy may struggle with the construction of the website.
Opportunities
• There is an option to set up a blog on the website which can encourage comments and further communication on the website.
• Opportunity to teach and emphasise importance of editing before publishing.
• Exploration of resources students would not usually use.
Threats
• Initial setup time can be time consuming.
• Privacy issues.
Overall I cannot see this tool being really effective if students are creating the website. I mean there can be positives but I think the negatives outweigh the positives. I can however see a use in the teacher creating a website as a tool for students to visit and work through an inquiry task. I would however be interested in hearing any other points of view.
In terms of relating to theory, I think if the teacher designs the website and its correlating task in an effective way the students can be encouraged to work through the Big6 Skills. These skills come from the Eisenberg and Berkowitz Big 6 Framework. According to Mike Eisenberg (2001) “The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages solve and information problem”. After collaboration with peers during a lecture it was discovered that the Big6 Framework was approach based, step by step (instructional) and written in simple terms.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on websites.
Kelly.
In the beginning (the construction phase) I once again felt out of my depth. When constructing my website (which you can access here) I found there were too many different options and it was not clear how to work through them or where the next option was going. After creating my website I used the SWOT analysis below to analyse websites as a digital tool.
Strengths
• It is another medium for students to publish their work.
• Promotes creativity.
• Other students, parents and community members can have easy access to view students work.
• Good to guide a student inquiry – students visit the website to work through tasks.
Weaknesses
• Cannot update or change after publishing the website.
• The blog option on a website does not allow for further posts.
• Students with low technological literacy may struggle with the construction of the website.
Opportunities
• There is an option to set up a blog on the website which can encourage comments and further communication on the website.
• Opportunity to teach and emphasise importance of editing before publishing.
• Exploration of resources students would not usually use.
Threats
• Initial setup time can be time consuming.
• Privacy issues.
Overall I cannot see this tool being really effective if students are creating the website. I mean there can be positives but I think the negatives outweigh the positives. I can however see a use in the teacher creating a website as a tool for students to visit and work through an inquiry task. I would however be interested in hearing any other points of view.
In terms of relating to theory, I think if the teacher designs the website and its correlating task in an effective way the students can be encouraged to work through the Big6 Skills. These skills come from the Eisenberg and Berkowitz Big 6 Framework. According to Mike Eisenberg (2001) “The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages solve and information problem”. After collaboration with peers during a lecture it was discovered that the Big6 Framework was approach based, step by step (instructional) and written in simple terms.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on websites.
Kelly.