web based learning tools grades k -12 webpage for wblts faculty.uoit.ca/kay/te2009/wblt canada robin...
TRANSCRIPT
Web Based Learning ToolsGrades K -12
Webpage for WBLTs
faculty.uoit.ca/kay/te2009/wblt Canada
Robin Kay Associate Professor, Faculty of Education
Homepage: faculty.uoit.ca/kay
Background• Faculty of Education • Math & Computer Science• UOIT – 5 years• Taught High School 8 years• Community College for 5 years
And you …
What grade do you teach?
a) K-3
b) 4-6
c) 7-8
d) 9-12
What subject do you teach?
a) Math
b) English
c) Science
d) Social Science
e) Languages
f) Other
Please describe your computer confidence level?
a) Not at all confident
b) Somewhat confident
c) Confident
d) Very Confident
Have you used Web-Based Learning Tools (WBLTs)?
a) Student-Led
b) Teacher-Led
c) I don’t know
d) No
Agenda
• What is a WBLT?
• Why use WBLTs?
• Choosing WBLTs?
• Using WBLTs?
• What the research says?
Web Based Learning Tools
• Explore Learning Add & Subtract Integers
• BBC French – Listening Foundation
• Alberta Online Triangles
• Illuminations Map of Canada
• Mini Clips **
Converting percent to decimal
Barriers to Using Technology?
a) Accessibility
b) Training
c) Time
d) Equipment
e) Money
f) Quality of software
Why use a WBLT?• Easy access
• Small web based program
• Easy to learn and use
• Web-Based
• Typically Free
• Motivating
• Interactive
• Graphics & Animation
Potential Barriersa) Accessibility
b) Training
c) Time
d) Equipment
e) Money
f) Quality of software
Choosing a WBLT
• What is a good WBLT?
• Where do you find WBLTs?
Features of Good WBLTs
1.Loads quickly
2.Easy to learn and use (Bad vs. Good)
3.Navigation easy (Bad vs. Good)
4.Limited writing (Bad vs. Good)
5.Theme & quality (Bad vs. Good)
6.Graphics or animations (Bad vs. Good)
7.Support materials (Bad vs. Good)
8. Interactivity (Low vs. High)
9.Accuracy
10. WBLT adds value
Where do you find WBLTs?
• Math• Explore Learning (K-12)• Learn Alberta (K-12)• NCTM Illuminations (K-12)• BBC (K-10)• UOIT (7-10)• Interactivate (3-12)
• Science• Explore Learning (K-12)• Learn Alberta (K-12)• BBC (K-10)• UOIT (7-10)
• English• Learn Alberta (K-12)• BBC
• Multiple Subjects• Learn Alberta (K-12)• BBC • Interactive Websites• EDNA
Using a WBLT
• Does it work?
• Timing – How long?
• Introduction to WBLT
• Individuals vs. Pairs vs. Class
• How will you use it?
• Introduce topic
• Follow-up activity
• Explore concept
• Time reminders
• Circulation
• Guiding Questions
• Consolidation
What does the research say?
•1100 middle & high school students
•64 classrooms
•30 - 40 WBLTs
Student Computer Skills?
ItemItem % Agree% Agree
I am good at working with computers.
81%
I am comfortable with computers.
85%
I like working with computers at school.
76%
WBLT Quality?
ItemItem % Agree % Agree
1. The WBLT was well organized.
68%
2. The WBLT was easy to use.
77%
3. The instructions in the WBLT were easy to follow.
74%
Learning Performance?
Target GroupTarget Group ChangeChange
Middle School + 40%
High School + 30%
Math – High School + 8%
Science – High School + 40%
Strategies?
Effective
• Introduce a new concept before a formal lesson
• Motivate students
• Teach a new concept
• Guiding set of questions
No So Effective
• Use after formal lesson
• Open ended-exploration
What the Students Said?
Easy to Use• It was nice and simple• The instructions were easy to follow
Visual Aspects• I liked the graphics & animations• This way it's easier for me to learn because I am a visual learner
Using Technology – Something New• I liked the idea of the WBLT, and I think learning through technology is useful • I liked how it was on the computer, because it grabs my attention better than the teacher or a book• It beats writing a page of notes
Interactive• I liked how it was interactive
Motivating• I like the fact it put some fun into learning
What the teachers said?
Overall, very satisfied but …• It took a long time to find good WBLTs• It took a long time to prepare a lesson plan• It wasn’t easy getting a computer lab (3-4 weeks)
What Next?
• Handout
• WBLT Web Page
• Online presentations
• Handouts
• Links to good WBLTs
•Sign up for WBLT training
• Research project (next year)
• Free training (1.5 days)
• Survey teachers & students
Contact Information
Robin Kay
Web Page
faculty.uoit.ca/kay
Would you use WBLTs in your class?
a) No
b) Maybe
c) Yes
Difficult to Learn
Easy to Learn
Awkward to Navigate
Good to Navigate
Too Much Writing
Appropriate Writing
Boring Theme
Interesting Theme
Limited Graphics
Helpful Graphics
Limited Resource
Better Resource
Limited Interaction
Better Interaction