Reflecting on web spaces - What are the pedagogical advantages?

 

This week I have discovered a range of information about digital pedagogies and the technical aspect of different web spaces. 

Websites offer an infinite number of creative ways to share not only text but video audio, animations, images, polls and interactive forms; this creating a learning environment for learners to share and combine. In addition, wikis allow collaborative work to be accomplished which from a pedagogical perspective create opportunity for peer learning. This also creates a power shift for students to learn and teach one another without the teachers being the soul source of information but simply a facilitator. Personally, I chose to deep dive into the world of blogging, which opened a multiverse of worlds and perspectives. Being very digitally illiterate at the beginning of this digital journey I am still finding new editing, blogging and digital tools; so far I have created my own blog using blogger.

Blogger as allowed me to create and customize a page with a personalized theme along with add on widgets such as a footer, banner, side bar and center photos an example of my work can be found here on my page. In an educational setting this could allow student to be creative and become engaged. The author function also allows for collaboration between two student and even the possibility for group assessment/ work as well, as multiple authors can be added as well. All authors can edit and check posts as well as stats and data about the page such as views. The setting of the site allows for alases to be used and private or public options for all personal information such as emails. Blogger also allows a range of widgets to be added in a range of different areas such as the side bar for example which allows for the addition of a search bar, featured posts, follower list, labels, link list and even a translation widget. Specialized pages can also be created for example, on my blog as shown below I have created a psychology question sheet. Pages can also be saved as drafts so you can save you pages without posting. Pictured below is also the managing tab which allows access to all the possibilities listed above.

Furthermore, readers can be invited to view the page and interact through the comment section; in an education setting this could mean student could invite on another to comment and interact with the pages for feedback, networking, and collaboration. Blogger also allows for images, videos, emojis and links to be added; the option to add these different types of media means a learning resource can be created which include diagrams, examples, video examples and links to articles or other education resources.

Creating websites using google options such as blogger can be easy with varies directions and options to make a page as complex or simple as one chose. As previously mentioned in an educational setting web sites are perfect for not only allowing kids to become responsible for their own learning but expand their learning resources globally to create a community to attain information and feedback. Bringing web site into the classroom  allow for the new ideal ‘flipped classroom’ to become reality however by following Bloom’s taxonomy and the SAMR model a better pedagogically sound approach can be created to facilitate higher order thinking. For example

1.      Level one Substitution can be used to help children remember and even understand class knowledge. In psychology this could look like following/ view mind maps or diagrams of major divisions of the nervous system. Having visual ques to further understanding and recal.l

2.      Level Two Augmentation can be used to promote remembering, understanding, applying and analysing. Instead of simply viewing the diagrams or mind maps on the teacher made PowerPoint students can be giving questions to investigate and answer. Giving student control to learn at their own level and pace.

3.     Level three Modification can be used to promote remembering, understanding, applying, analysis and evaluating. Instead of writing the found answers in their books or a word document students could use a wiki / one note to collaborate or create their own blog to journal their knowledge development journey. Then invite another student to view and comment giving critical feedback from multiple sources. This approach can also motivate students as they are writing for a vast and appreciable audience to value their work.

 

4    4.   Level four Redefinition aims to improve recall, understanding, application analysis, evaluation, and creation. In a psychology classroom context this could be achieved through linking a wiki to a website or blog to invite experts to comment and give advice. Opening this line of communication to not only the school community but experts across the globe would not be possible without the redefining assets of ICT pedagogies and technologies.

To conclude although the ICT world can seem like a lot to take in, taking it one level at a time I have learnt that it is manageable. I have also learnt that it is critical to ensure your students (and self) are being legal, safe and ethical online, whether this is simply referencing photos when posted or asking for permission to use audio from the original author. At CQU academic integrity training is a prerequisite for each year, personally i would like to use this type of test in my own classroom, to ensure i am meeting the technology requirements outlined in the Australian Curriculum. I know I will make my student aware of the digital etiquette and that ICT competency is not the assessment but a tool to help further knowledge, understanding and student creativity whiles developing higher order thinking skills such as retention, critical thinking and problem solving.

Until next time- Just keep learning ✌