Using technology in the classroom is an extremely important tool in generating knowledge, interest, and motivation in our students who are coined "the digital generation". Principals, along with the school districts, are responsible for providing informational tools for teachers and students to access and use technology. Tutorial websites can be valuable in teaching certain computer technology skills. One website, www.ischool.zm/39/using_computers.php is recommended as a pathway to resources to teach the strand on communication in computer technology.
The site provides several links to instruct teachers and students on how to meet the expectations of the following objectives under Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Applications under the communication strand:
1) formatting digital information for appropriate and effective communication;
2) delivering the product electronicallly in a variety of media with appropriate supervision; and
3) using technology applications to facilitate evaluation communication, both process and product.
These links direct the user to information on how to navigate electronic presentations, spreadsheets, databases, networks, and the internet. There are step by step instructions with graphics on how the computer screen should look with each explanation. For example, the links for spreadsheets give information on how to create, save in another file such as: text file, HTML, templates, software specific file extension, insert, sort and edit, format, use charts and graphs, prepare outputs, and printing. The presentation links give instructions on using the application, developing presentations, text and images, charts, graphs and drawn objects, slide show effects, printing, and delivery.
Because there are many links in this website, there are many authors. The initial site's authority is rated as level 1 because no author is listed and no email contact is provided. But, the links it offers as resources authority are between a level 3 and 4. All links provide an author with some contact information and credentials. There affiliation is rated as a level 2. Google and Wikipedia supports the site but it is unclear if the author has any connection with a larger institution. Within the links, the affiliation would be rated as a level 3. They are supported by a larger institution and some bias is apparent through the logo stamps. The purpose is rated as a level 3. The purpose is clear but there are unnecessary additions in the links. The objectivity is a level 2. It contains some advertising and minimal bias. Fortunately, the objectivity of the links are a level 4 by having no advertising and are free from bias. The content is a level 4. The information relates to the objectives, the links needed work, and the site is organized. The learning process is between a level 3 and 4. The information is challenging, meets the objectives, but does not allows actively engage the learner. The audience is a level 4. The site and its links are written at an appropriate level and the information is suitable for the classroom. The currency is a level 3. The information has been updated in the last six months and seems to reflect currency. The design is a level 4. The main site and the links needed load well, easy to navigate, visually pleasing, and easy to read.
Though this not the only recourse for finding information on communication in education technology, it is a good one to use.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment