Hi everybody,
Before actually using a webpage in class, there are many things a teacher has to keep in mind.
Check the following links. Read about the criteria to select a webpage and post a comment saying the two points you consider the most important and add an idea of your own.
I think is a bit difficutl to narrow down all the aspects a teacher should consider when using a website in class to just two important ones, as Claudia very well said it, there are many things teachers have to keep in mind, but the following two particularly stand out to me and would be the first two I´d have on my list: Appropiatness and Relevance, and Authority. I consider the first one to be absoulutely necessary and could very much be a result from having taken other aspects into consideration.
ReplyDeleteAfter having read all these criterias and all these sections and all these links i got to wondering, is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteI mean, do i really need a webpage for my classes?
My straight honest opinion is that it sounds like too much of a hassle.
Again, my humble opinion.
Now, to the task at hand! One of the most important points is if the site is user-friendly and attractive graphically.The second is if the site engages students and encourage them to develop active interest and mastery of the subject area. A point i will add is if the content is too much or is it enough or is it just right.Basically, not too long, not too short!
Thank you guys for your comments.
ReplyDeleteKike very honest opinion. I kind of agree with you in this point, sometimes it is really complicated to find an appropriate task for our class, that complies with all our requirements. On the other hand, being able to guide students in terms of what an appropriate webpage would be for them to practice,shows professionalism on the teacher. Guiding students on how to select a webpage will also provide them with tools to study on their own.
I agree with kike it is kind of a lot of work but sometimes if you are looking for a topic for students to practice writing the correct words in the search tool will give you a lot of options and using your experience you can evaluate in a quickly way if the website it is what you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteAs technology is not one of my strengths i will look for a website that is user friendly and has the topic that I need the student to work with, now if it is the students the ones that have to look for the websites you will have to give them enough information for them to narrow the options and choose the one they feel is the correct one for their task
HI CLAUDIA.
ReplyDeleteIT'S MY FIRST TIME WORKING IN BLOGS. IT LOOKS INTERESTING TO ME. I'LL POST TOMORROW A COMPLETE COMMENT. BYE. THANKS.
ADRIANA ALVAREZ
Diana, the two aspects you chose are very important when deciding what webpage to use. Little by little teachers get more experience on searching online material for class.
ReplyDeleteAdriana thanks for entering the blog. I'll be looking forward to reading your comments.
Wow, after reading these sites I realized there were many more things to consider than I thought, and I agree with Isabella when she said that appropriateness, relevance and authority are the most important ones, but once we find two or three that we like, then we can always refer to the same ones for different activities.
ReplyDeleteAll of these comments look really interesting and particulary I have to say that although I have´t worked too much with websites I have used one of them to practice some grammar aspects when I have observed my students have trouble about , I picked that website because I feel It is student friendly and dynamic two aspects that are for me are really important for a website. As a good result working on that page my students have clarified some doubts; for example in terms of using auxiliaries in a proper way..they understood about it in a fun way.
ReplyDeleteI am not yet a teacher, so I would not be able to use teacher experience to explain myself, However, I know from my experience as a student that using the internet for research is very helpful. I think the most important aspect of researching on the internet is to know the subject, so I would always choose a webpage by the currency and teh information given on the topic. I also agree with Diana and Kike that it is much of a hassle, and can be difficult for some students that might not own a computer or know how to use one.
ReplyDeleteI think when choosing an appropiate webpage is very important to know who is the provider of the information (Author), that the content of the information is reliable and updated; Allowing a comprehensive and accurated visualization of the topic. So, is very important to keep in mind the Authority and Currency of the web page.
ReplyDeleteWell, by reading your comments I've been able to identify some common criteria that can be used to select a webpage. I'll use your suggestions to create a rubric that we will use when evaluating the webpages presented in our class next Friday.
ReplyDeleteI understand and I totally agree we teachers have to be opened minded towards new changes, to be updated, to be even on what education proposes. Based on what I whatched on these videos and what I have learned so far in this module, I want to express my point of view. Working with technology as a tool as part of our treaching it may be an interesting, challeging way to cope with students needs. However, I wonder if we might miss that humanitic content that a teacher and students develop and enrich when working together in a classroom. Spiritual, mentally, psychologically, and physical aspects are involved which make a class unique. There is a tendency or trend to use the technology to cover or perform tasks as much as people can. I think we should find a balance in order not to fall in this coldness or lonelyness that a person experience in front of a screen.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Karen. When it comes to selecting a web page as a learner or as an instructor we have to keep in mind the background/origin of the page and its currency, meaning how often is it updated and if the site is reliable.
ReplyDeleteI love technology. It is a helpful tool when it comes to teaching, I wouldn't depend on it but i would used it a lot to improve sts productivity, because i am sure sts prefer to work online then to work on their work book. (Personal Opinion) =}
Exactly, Technology is just a tool.. It will never replace teachers nor coursebooks.
ReplyDeleteBased on the criteria examples to evaluate websites, I will say that all of them have similarities. I will put it in this way:
ReplyDeleteIt should have two main aspects which are " MEDIA AND CONTENT".
Media: user friendly-accessibility-clarity-currency-layout.
Content: relevant-authority-EFL
I agree with all these comments. Based on my experience and continuing with Kike's honesty, finding a web site that is accurate and useful in our classes is not only time consuming but also it brings some other difficulties to the teacher. It is safer to have a "regular" class in which the teacher won't have any problems (technology still brings a lot: the video beam won't work, the website won't load, the internet service is too slow so students lose the interest). On the other hand I think a good website should also allow students go further than what they get in the class, this is why I totally agree on the idea of bringing and suggesting websites that are attractive and which content is reliable and useful for their learning situations.
ReplyDeleteall the aspects of a web page are important but I have to say that in my opinion the two most vital are the name and the content because with a difficult name or something that does not have anything to do with the information people would not get to it as easily and well the information speaks by it self.
ReplyDeleteone important aspect that we should not leave behind is the presentation of the page because you can have the most complete page but if if is hard to operate people won't visit it as much.
webpages are important to use in class students have not oonly the sensation that they are really communicating with the world but they can live a day to day experience of the world, blogs, social webpage (facebook,twitter, ect.) are part of everyone's life so this type of activity is great for students.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say never don't you think that there's sometheing better than books somewhere out there or that something better is coming out?
ReplyDeleteAll these comments are very interesting to read and analyze. I think that the use of technology as part of our classes is very important, since most of our students feel comfortable with it.I have tried to use some webpages for my students to clarify grammar doubts they have, and even I have used them to encourage my students to try to practice their English knowledge by chatting with other students who are learning English or teachers who can help them to learn English on line. The problem, in my case, is that not all of my students can easily have access to internet. The ideal for us, as teachers, is to be able to use all the modern tools to facilitate the teaching - learning process, but it is not possible in some contexts, or at least, it is very difficult for some of them.
ReplyDeleteA good idea for teachers to start incorporating technology into class is to use those pages that have ready to use material for teachers (sometimes on line- sometimes printable). Tomorrow we will get some "useful webpages" from your presentations. I I have enjoyed and learned a lot from reading your comments.
ReplyDeleteCRITERIA FOR EVALUATING WEBSITES
ReplyDeleteIN MY OPINION, THE ASPECTS A WEBSITE SHOULD HAVE
CONTENTS
AUTHENTICITY
ACCURICITY
CURRENCY
ACCESSABILITY
USER FRIENDLY
MULTIMEDIA
FOSTER EFL
RELEVANCE
AUTHENTICITY: Authentic information bout Real life situations. daily spoken English used.
ACCURICITY: Appropriate for different levels and themes and social groups
CURRENCY: Be updated according to what is on.
ACCESSABILITY: Easy to use and appealing.
FOSTER EFL: Grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, student-centereness, keeps in mind the “Marco Europeo”.MULTIMEDIA: interactive, participative, productive, provides feedback and authonomy, development of the 4 language skills, and communicative.
RELEVANCE : Be useful, appealing, and meaningful for users.
I think the most important parts of a web page are content, purpose and clarity. Students must know what they are reading/listening, why and the web page must be clear, so they don`t get bored because they (got lost). We must understand that (students) include kids, teenagers and some adult who might never have used a computer. So, we have to think in all these students in order to choose a web page to work in.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see all coments. I am very respectful when it comes to see or listen others opinion. Yes! it is our task to give our students tools when they´re having a thrill in the web, in terms of using the correct webpage. But when it comes to beginners language, ages from 6-10, they are enthusiastic about being investigating and solving problems on a webpage. So, I consider that it don´t matter so much when it comes on this ages on the content, the color, etc, just the fun to be looking and searching something. Then in the end, the exciting on telling to their class, what they did, (and so, it will improve communication). Again, that is just my opinion on this stages of beginners english language.
ReplyDeleteTo choose a web-page to use in the teaching-learning process is a little complicated, since any page is perfect. What we have to do is to analyze if this fits our own necessities, I mean, if I am a teacher for children, I have to focus my search on this special kind of page, the most especialized it is the better for the teacher. We find many pages which offer lots of things for everyone: beginners, intermediate,and advanced levels; for children, teenagers and adults, and even for the teachers, and we can get lost with all that information and links. I would like to find a page covering all the aspects of the communicative skills that a student needs to get an effective learning trhough modern,different, easy and dynamic activities, but it is very hard to find it. I'm in agreement with the aspects that jackie mentions to be taken into account when we have to decide on a web-page.
ReplyDeleteWe, as Teachers, must be up-dated about all the new technology that these pages bring, 'cause other way, we will never be able to use them or explain them to our students. I like the use of web-pages as a complement in our teaching - learning process, as it facilitates our students learning and it can help them to feel selfconfident to interact with the teacher and even with their classmates.