Week 5 - website choice

Which two website would you consider using in your future classroom? Please explain and provide supporting details to you response.

There appears to be a wealth of resources for teachers to select and use appropriately for classroom practice. One informative website I would use is the Classroom Literacy Sources. First, it caters for different grade levels. Second, it is a comprehensive website not only teachers but also for students. For example, some of the relevant resources are on “effective principles of literacy instruction”, “Best practices for reading and writing strategies.” These resources are useful for special education teacher to provide differentiated instruction. Some of the strategies provided can be modified to suit the student’s needs. Since special needs students require individualized education plan, it is important for teachers to have a huge repertoire of resources.

This website also contains resources for lesson plans, educational materials such as graphic organizers as well as lessons that integrate technology. With these resources I can vary their instruction and not use rote method of teaching and learning. Special needs students too may be motivated to learn with activities that integrate technology. For example, to teach reading comprehension, I would use mind maps or concept maps for the students to list the main ideas or descriptions of character or places.

This website too can serve as a professional development for teachers because there are several useful resources with step by the step procedures which enable teachers to integrate technology in the classroom. Teachers have to take advantage of new technologies to reconceptualize their new role and engage in meaningful learning (Schrum & Levin, 2009).

For students, there are vocabulary and reading instruction, online games such as word play and writing den, which they can practice on their own to consolidate their learning.

Another website that I would select is the Journey North for Kids. This is essential for students to gather information on a particular topic of their science project. Journey North presents slides show and comprehensive data for students to do personal research on an assigned topic. Besides, the students can refer to this website to create their blog or Glogster. Journey North is a platform for learning to occur in social contexts through networking as well as connecting with other people. Diversified learning activities may trigger the interests of students. Also the website has links to other content area which student may be interested to look into them at their own time.

The Journey North for Kids also provide slide shows and projects that students can choose from. For students to have a choice means, they are not confined to teacher’s beliefs and interests. Students are given an opportunity to take control of their learning.

Teachers who incorporating technological activities in their lessons are meeting the standards of National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) that is “developing technology-learning environments to enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress” (ISTE, 2007).

Reference

ISTE. (2007). National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S). Retrieved. June 13, 2011 fromhttp://www.comfsm.fm/national/administration/VPA/researchdocs/techPlan/ISTE%20National%20Educational%20Technology%20Standards.pdf

JourneyNorth (1997 – 2101)1http://www.learner.org/jnorth/KidsJourneyNorth.html

Literacy Web Homepage: Grades 5-6 (2007) Retrieved from http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/56home.htm

Schrum, L. & Levin, B.B. (2009). Leading 21st Century Schools: Harnessing Technology for Engagement and Achievement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Wolinskyweb.com (2011) Retrieved from http://www.wolinskyweb.com/word.htm

Writing den (1996 – 2008) Retrieved from http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/index.htm