Choosing and Using Web-Based Learning Tools

1. Choosing and Using Web-Based Learning Tools Dr. Robin Kay UOIT Oshawa, Canada

2. UOIT • Started in 2003 • 6000+ Students • Laptop based university • Masters Program – Virtual or Synchronous

3. One request • If you have a question, problem, concern please jump right in at the moment • OR post a comments at todaysmeet.com/WBLT

4. How often do you use computers in a significant way with your class? Go to: PollEv.com

5. Net Generation • A Vision of K-12 Students Today

6. So what prevents you from using computers with your class? • In pairs, make a short list and post response at todaysmeet.com/WBLT

8. Web-Based Learning Tools • Access • Easy access – web-based • Time • Easy to Learn • Software • Always up to date / Mostly predictable • Targets specific concepts • Problems • Fewer problems

9. Web-Based Learning Tools

10. Web-Based Information Tools • Video Podcasts (e.g. Khan, Teacher Tube) • Pinterest (personal resources) • Scoopit (personal resources) For more information go to: http://mathtechtoolsuoit.wikispaces.com/

11. Web-Based Production Tools • Google Docs – Create and share documents • Prezi – Presentation software • Jing – Create you own video • Animoto • Concept Maps • Glogster • Padlet For more information go to: http://mathtechtoolsuoit.wikispaces.com/

12. Web-Based Collaboration Tools • Wikis – Create websites in groups • Blogs – Comment on anything in groups • Pirate Pad – Sharing Ideas • Google Hangout (Virtual Meeting) • Twitter For more information go to: http://mathtechtoolsuoit.wikispaces.com/

13. Web-Based Interactive Tools “Interactive tool that supports the learning of a specific concept”

14. Examples of Interactive Tools • Distance Time • Nets, Surface Area, Volume • Go to http://kayuoitpres.wikispaces.com/to play – 5 minutes for each one

15. Agenda- Web-Based Learning Tools • Finding WBLTs • Choosing WBLTs • Using WBLTs

16. Finding Web-Based Learning Tools Where do you go? • Gizmos (free for Grades 7 to 12) • Math Tools • nrich • NCTM Illuminations • Browse Interactives • National Library of Virtual Manipulatives • Interactivate (Shodor) • Online Math Manipulatives

17. Playtime • Go to kayuoitpres.wikispaces.com/ • Finding WBLTs • Find one that you like • Post at http://todaysmeet.com/WBLT • Type Liked <web address>” • Find one that you did not like • Post at http://todaysmeet.com/WBLT • Type Did not like <web address>”

18. How do you choose? What features do you like? • Post at http://todaysmeet.com/WBLT What features DON”T you like? • Post at http://todaysmeet.com/WBLT

19. Current Research on Choosing WBLTs • 2500-3000 students • 3 school boards districts • 150-200 teachers • Attitudes & Learning Performance • Came up with a list of features that lead to good results …

20. Features … • Easy to use • Colour & look • Multimedia (Video, Images, Audio) • Design (Does it make sense?) • Interactivity • Enhances Learning • Context/Theme • Instructional Wrap

21. Final Thoughts on Choosing • Unlikely to find the perfect tool • You can overcome flaws with a good instruction wrap • Ease of use is critical • Engagement is a good idea • Focus on a specific concept • Focus on your Learning Goals

22. Questions It takes time to plan the kind of questions you need to use with a Web-Based Learning Tool 30-60 minutes is typical

23. Choose Your Tool + 3 Questions • Groups of 3-4 • Pick WBLT from kayuoitpres.wikispaces.com/ • Come up with 3 GOOD questions based on your learning goals • Post on Padlet at tinyurl.com/wbltpadlet

24. A Good Lesson with WBLTs • Context • Learning Goals • Tinyurl • Demo (if necessary) • Guiding Questions • Presentation + QA WBLTs • Participation • Check learning after

25. Context • Why are they are using the tool? • Why is the concept learned important? • What is the big picture? OTHERWISE • Students are confused from the start • See the WBLT as pointless

26. Learning Goals • Clearly state the learning goal(s) to the students • After using this WBLT, you should be able to : OTHERWISE • Students can get confused and lost • They don’t know what to focus on

27. Use tinyurl.com or tiny.cc

28. To Demo or Not to Demo • Students like to figure stuff out on their own HOWEVER • There may be awkward areas or weird stuff • Take 2 minutes to point these out • If it take longer than 2 minutes you have the wrong WBLT

29. Guiding Questions • Questions that lead student toward the learning goals and target questions • Without clear guiding questions, the WBLT is useless • Can take 30-45 min to create

30. Presentation + QA WBLTs • Graphing Patterns • For basic concepts, younger grades (Grade 6 -10) can work quite well • Hard to use more constructive WBLTs unless you have the basics knowledge down

31. Participation • Individual Use can work well – but should be able to ask questions • Pairs work WELL because you have conversation, a second opinion and someone to write down findings – BE CAREFUL • Work as a class with LCD • Pose questions and have students work in pairs to predict or come up with answers • Write prediction down • Ask students to work the WBLT, not you

32. Check for Learning • Have students answer questions at the end to see if the learning goals were achieved– Are there any unanswered questions? • Critical because there is often a sizeable disconnect between what teachers and students experience

33. Contact Information Robin Kay: robin.kay@uoit.ca Wiki for this Session: http://kayuoitpres.wikispaces.com/