Website Reflection

I have created a website through Weebly.com and would like to share my thoughts of the experience.

Weebly.com – Website Creation Made Easy, allows the user to create a website by the click and drag method. The user can display information such as text, images, audio and video. The user can also create polls, surveys and forums. Weebly.com has settings options that allow the changing of the site address, the display of a mobile-optimized version and the creation of a site password for privacy. The site provides customisation through the use of themes and backgrounds. Multiple Authors can contribute the user’s website. The site is relatively easy to use overall because of the click and drag method but I found that it takes a lot of trial and error to use. I think that most people over the age of thirteen could use it effectively after a days practice.

The site will teach students how to create their own website so they can share their own thoughts and interests through pictures, videos and the written word. Students can also show off schoolwork or other achievements that they are proud of.

In my own teaching I can use my website to create a library of resources for the students to access both in and out of the classroom. A collection of YouTube videos demonstrating mathematics cherry picked to match the students’ lessons would be a valuable resource for students to have access to on demand. I could also put up tables and diagrams or other information to support the class.

To visit my website: http://mr-roberts.weebly.com

 

 

 

Reflection

Assessment 1: Reflection

 

Through my reflection on the learning design of the critical thinking activity ‘de Bono's Six thinking hats’, I have developed the following analysis.

De Bono's Six thinking hats is a critical thinking activity that trains students to look at a problem or issue by using higher order thinking from many points of view. These points of view are symbolised by different coloured hats. The activity facilitates collaborative learning by allowing students to post their thoughts online. Students can read the thoughts of others and consider the opinions of their peers. This supports students who are familiar and comfortable using social media and uses the question,‘should mobile phones be allowed in class?’, as a catalyst for debate. The question is suitable because this is an issue which affects students directly and it is an issue the students have some knowledge of. By posting their opinions online, the students have a sense of ownership, control and management of the learning.

Personally I found the activity very frustrating. I felt isolated and left behind because I could not sign in to the activity either through the university’s computer or my own. By the time I could contribute the activity was long over so I was merely satisfying an academic requirement. I did however see that my thoughts were similar to many other students which made me feel validated in my own. As the activity was scaffolded for this purpose I think that the activity is overall quite effective for the majority of students but some will miss the point of the activity due to the complexity of technology. This can be addressed through differentiation.  

Activity 1:  Blog Posting

As a second year pre-service teacher I found the videos very enlightening. I agree with Judy Willis that everyone is quick to blame natural human behavior on a mental disorder or illness. What sort of people set up a child for a life of pill popping just because of ‘incorrect behavior’? Children playing with everything they can find, staring out the window, and colouring on chairs or books are all perfectly normal child behaviors. Better to make learning more engaging and enjoyable than to treat children like mental patients. It is a no brainer really. I definitely agree that stress hinders learning. I personally cannot get anything done when I am stressed and have to force myself to calm down and focus. Judy Willis is looking for ways that make school a nice place to be and I think that is a great attitude for a teacher to have. I also commend her on putting down the prescription pad and picking up the coloured pens.

I liked how the technology video talked about how technology is useful for allowing students to work at their pace, advancing when they are ready instead of advancing when it is time. I broke away from the traditional academic model at TAFE College and reaped the rewards of learning at my own pace which was slow and for long periods of time.

Sir Ken Robinson hit the nail on the head. The education system is biased towards industry and academic achievement. Gillian is a perfect example of how children are made to suffer if they do not ‘fit’ a particular educational frame. It is a shame that it took a doctor’s insight to do what education should have done.