What is a WebQuest?

What is a WebQuest?

Webquest is an inquiry-oriented activity or project base in which some or all of the information that students learn from and use comes from resources on the Internet.  The teacher is the one who is responsible for creating the webquest, giving instructions and adding resources. WebQuests are designed to: Use learners’ time well, focus on learning and using information rather than looking for it, and Support learners’ thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.  Some characteristics of a webquest are that it engages the student's higher-order thinking skills, uses the Internet for information that cannot be easily obtained from other sources, takes advantage of the Internet in terms of its dynamic nature, and takes advantage of the Internet in terms of its communicative nature they communicate with teachers and other students.  There are two types of webquest short term and long term.  Short term is design to be completed within 1-3 class while the long term runs for weeks or a month.  WebQuests are made up of 7 components and they are welcome & title page, introduction, task, process, Evaluation, Conclusion and teacher’s Page.

What is the impact of the various technology tools that you have encountered in the teaching and learning process ?

What is the  impact of the various technology tools that you have encountered in the teaching and learning process ?

The changing technology has impacted our live tremendously.  it was changed the way we communicate and go about our daily lives, it makes life easier and more productive.  More is done in a short space of time using the different technologies.  In the educational community, the level of technology integration can deeply affect what teachers do and what their students experience.  More an more school are investing in technology to enhance the growth of students academic performance. While the use of technology by students drives their learning attention, it helps teacher better able to manage and monitor the classroom.

What is the relevance of having knowledge of the different technology related learning theories ?

The three main learning theories that are commonly used in learning in the creation of instructional environments are behaviourism, cognitivism and constructivism.  These are relevant to understanding how children learn. When these theorists are incorporated into the classroom the use of technology helps to enhance the process of learning.  It is crucial to understand how children learn as these foundational principles have been altered.  Theorist from ancient times did not have technology to aid them in the learning process. In our modern society things and times has changed into a genre of computer and having knowledge of these theorist will improve the way in which a teacher teach or bring across a lesson aided by technology integration.  not everyone learn the same so the teacher must have an idea of all the theories so they will know how to plan and execute their lessons

Why is Technology Integration important in the teaching/learning process?

There is a wide availability of new and emerging technology tools that can assist teacher in making teaching much easier and much more fun. we are living in the 21st century where technology is used in every aspect of life to achieve certain task.  This integration has become even more essential since technology is becoming the engine on which teaching and learning operates. The world is therefore forced to invest in the use of technology into institutions to meet the needs of students.  using technology helps students become independent towards their learning.  they will be able to do research on there own by accessing the internet which is more efficient and quicker to access than the book.

The Assure Learning Model

The Assure Learning Model

To become skilled in today’s classrooms it is crucial to know when to use a wide range of instructional strategies and passive and interactive media. The Assure Learning model is procedural guide for planning and delivering instruction that integrates technology and media into the teaching process.  

In using this model the teacher would first analyze the student, find the level at which they are at and their back ground information to see how they would learn best.  The next step is to state the objective, this is the outcome the teacher hopes to achieve at the end of the lesson and this should be centered around the students.  At the point the teacher would select the method that is best to deliver the lesson and utilize media and material.  Full participation of the students are required, the teacher should come up with different ideas for the students to participate, examples are: games, group work, presentations and skits.  At the end of the lesson the teacher will revise what he has taught and evaluate students performance based on the objective the teacher should also evaluate how they bring across the less.

Engagement Theory

Engagement theory is a theory for technological age. Engagement theory is the fundamental idea underlying engagement theory is that students must be meaningfully engaged in learning activities through interaction with others and worthwhile tasks.  In this theory students learn through working collaboratively with others. There are three tenets of this theory which are Relate, Create and Donate.  This theory is suggesting that there will be more ideas flowing, more solutions and the students will think more rather than relying on the teacher for answers.  This theory allows student to explore and interacts with others, while the teacher acts as a facilitator and guide the students in the process. Technologies such as Google glass, laptop, tablet, smartphones and many others can be used in this theory.

Technology Integration

In class today I learnt about technology integration.  Technology Integration is the use of technology tools in general content areas in education in order to allow students to apply computer and technology skills to learning and problem-solving. The media types used in technology are print – text, radio – audio, television which is both video and graphics.  In technology Integration the teacher takes the role of manager and facilitator of the technology use, and the students actively engaged in the learning process by doing researches on the various technologies and becoming competent in the use of technology.  The computer is a tool used to enhance learning through the use of real world data to solve problems. In technology integration the lesson is student-centered, problem based,  this means that the students get the opportunity to come up with their own ideas and is able to use situation out there in the real world to solve problems.