Friday, May 1, 2009

Web based educational research

Web based educational research offers resources that will help facilitate the researcher. For example many universities now have an online system for their libraries which students can access from any computer. As a result, the student can retrieve information for most types of research without going to the campus to use the library. Furthermore, web based educational research offers updated information in various topics. There are many educational web based research data bases that can be used such as ERIC and EBSCO-HOST which will offer documents in either html or pdf format.

Additionally, web based educational research alleviates pressure from going to a library looking through books and making copies. Also, web based educational research offers electronic books as well as periodicals. Overall, web based research has the advantage that it will help students and adults as well to become more familiarized with some of the technological features and resources that are available.

Creating a Web Page

Creating a web page should be thought of as a way to facililate interaction and communication. Web pages are used by companies, schools (public and private), school districts, professors, teachers, and professionals who work from home. Web pages provide communication between people and allows people to interact within the privacy of their home.

When creating a web page it is important to have links that work accordingly and to keep the web page updated whether its biweekly or monthly. Moreover, it is important to link web pages to other useful web sites that will provide additional resources or information needed. I also thing its important and a good idea to create a web page that can be used by both an English speaker as well as a Spanish speaker if possible. If it is possible perhaps the web page can have links to other web pages that can translate the information into other languages.

What makes a web page attractive in my opinion is when information can be easily found and the web page is updated regularly. Moreover, if the web page has to do with teaching such as ABC Teach, it definitely catches my attention and I mark it under my Favorites so I can go back and use it as much as I need to.

School Web Pages

School Web Pages offer a variety of features and resources to facilitate learning and understanding for teachers, parents, and administrators. For example, the Elizabeth District web page offers links for teachers to access the electronic grade book, Power School, from their home as well as access curriculum guides, lesson plan format pages, read and reply to inter school e-mails, and access the telephone directory.

School web pages should include information that will help teachers and parents interact. In addition, school web pages should be updated regularly and all the links should be checked to make sure they are working properly. School web pages should offer resources for parents so that they should not have to call or go to the school if they need information. For example, concert dates, award ceremony dates, change in administrators, and or school closings should be listed on the school web page and easily found.

Web page Building

I think web page building can be very useful in the classroom especially for younger grades that usually send home news letters introducing new concepts, ideas, or asking for parent involvement. I found the scholastic web page builder was easy to use and able to be customized to illustrate different themes. Web page building facilitates parental involvement. It would be so much easier for parents to have a web site they can log into and view assignment or reading lists. In the district I work in, Power School, allows parents to log in from home and view grades as well as how many points each assignment is worth for all core subjects.

Moreover, web page building allows teachers to be creative and it also allows teachers to post important announcements for both parents and students to read. Also, a web page can allow students to view homework assignments when they are away from school. A web page can reflect the climate of the classroom and teachers can even ask students for their input on the web page design.

Social Networking

The video on social networking in special education was interesting because it helped the special education population to exercise social computing skills which they do not get to do often. Special education students are often not given the opportunity to express themselves sometimes due to physical impairments.

I thought giving special education students an opportunity to interact and socialize great for their self esteem and overall success. I also thought it was great that this type of networking would allow special education students to become fluent with technology so that they could get a good jobs in the technology field even if they do not attend college.

In my experience in working with the special education population, when those students feel socially accepted, it fills them with confidence and there can be endless possibilities if the right support systems in place.

Moreover, it is important for all students to social network because it provides an outlet for many things such as bullying, or even problems at home. Furthermore, social networking should be practiced among teachers whether through the use of inter school e-mail or faculty meetings. Social networking allows people to feel part of a team that will provide support or assistance when or if needed.

Social networking in the area of special education is a great way to enhance collaborative learning among those students as well as with other students outside the special education class. The most important thing about social networking in special education is that it allows those student to feel included which many times hold the key to their success.

Video: Introducing the Book

This video definitely made me laugh. I shared the video with some of the staff at work and it was a huge hit! I interpreted the video as a fun way to portray the importance of following directions and as well as communication. This video shows in a humorous way that there are people as well as students who may take things literally so it is important to set clear goals and directions in the classroom regardless of the grade level.

Setting clear goals and expectations makes students feel at ease. Sometimes when goals are not clear students feel anxiety and they are not able to perform to the best of their ability. I believe that goals should be clear and concise so that there are no misunderstandings and students can know what goal they are working towards.

Video: Cyber Bullying

I thought the video with the pandas were a fun way to portray the seriousness of cyber bullying without being too explicit or boring. The middle school students at the school I work at enjoyed the video. I think the video not only pertains to cyber bullying but to bullying in general. As the panda states, "Don't give in". I always express that to my students when they are being made fun of or picked on.

It is important to let students know that many times people pose as other people in order to get information out of them. Cyber bullying is a serious issue that should not be undermined. The problem is that there are many parents who are unaware of cyber bullying and feel safe that certain websites are blocked on the computer. Some parents feel that blocking inappropriate websites should be the only precaution taken when their child goes on the Internet.

Cyber bullying which shares similarities with bullying should be introduced to students at the beginning of the school year and parents should be notified so that they are able to attend in order for them to understand the severity of cyber bullying. Students need to learn strategies that will allow them to cope with cyber bullying in a positive way.