Module 3

Begin blog post by discussing the content in chapter 7 as it relates to your use of the Internet. 

Chapter 7 focuses on how the internet is being used in different ways to teach and learn. This is what I mainly use the internet for, as a learning tool. I am always looking for answers to my questions, looking up how to do something, or looking up directions to an address. I have even had my share of experiences with online learning through college.

URLs: What do URLs tell you/students about web sites?

URLs tell you the type of website it will link to (government, education, etc.) and it give you an idea of what type of information you would find on that particular website. An example used in the book was that the domain designator (last three letters in a URL) such as .org indicates a website of an organization of some type (pg 216).  

Search Engines: How can learning to use search engines help you/students find better information?

Sometimes if you are not specific enough in your search, you may or may not get the results you were looking for. The more specific you are, the better the outcome of search results. Also, if you learn how to correctly utilize search engines, your search can be quicker and easier.

Internet Tool: Choose one Internet Tool (in the section beginning on p. 223) and discuss how you might use it in a classroom.

Throughout my college years, I have found it to be very helpful to have some way to be able to quickly contact other students whenever I need help. I think students could benefit greatly from using a class chatroom system whenever they are at home and forget what homework problems they were to do or if they need a question answered regarding a project or assignment. 

Favorite Web Sites: Finally, pick two web sites that you feel are your favorite. Post the web sites and talk about why they will be beneficial to teachers and/or students.

Two of my favorite websites are brainpop.com and sciencebob.com. BrainPop is an award winning website that is useful for both teachers and students. Teachers of any subject can utilize this site to find all kinds of resources such as lesson plan ideas, graphic organizers, videos, and even mobile applications. Page 209 talks about the issues with online education, one of them was aligning curriculum standards. BrainPop gives you the option to choose your state, subject, and grade to help you find lessons that align with your state curriculum standards.    

Students will also find BrainPop to be of great use. The student resources include videos, games, quizzes, activities, as well as Q & A’s. Students can watch the videos to review material or even learn something new. Quizzes and other activities can also be utilized to help prepare for a test. It’s important for an online educational site to be engaging, rather than just spitting out information (pg 226). BrainPop does just that, it engages students and can be used in traditional, blended, and flipped classroom settings.

ScienceBob is a neat website for students. It has ideas for projects, a weekly science Q and A, links to other websites, videos, a blog, as well as science experiments. The content of this website encourages kids to become self-directed learners. ScienceBob meets the Quality Matter program standards (pg 228). The website includes excellent resources and materials, it’s engaging, it’s accessible, and it has learner support. Students can easily contact Bob and ask him questions (which he will gladly answer). With the use of a blog, ScienceBob creates a feeling of community and social presence (pg 227). Students and even teachers can make comments and interact with others on this site. 

An overview of BrainPop with Tim and Moby

#ED527UM M3: Blended learning is becoming a huge thing! http://t.co/MgvT2Dd4xg

— Peyton Truett (@peypey3191) October 1, 2013