I explored the use of a webpage. You can create one yourself at http://www.weebly.com/ . They are relatively easy to create and you're able to customise them to suit the needs of your learners.
I created one http://managingelearn.weebly.com/ and in it have outlined some of the things that you can do with a website in an educational context. There is even an online poll on there which poses the question which is best a website a blog or a wiki. Feel free to vote.
SWOT of a static webpage
Strengths:
- Only the owner of the webpage has the opportunity to edit the content.
- It can be used as a notice board for students
- Images, text, sound, and other media can be uploaded for viewers to access
- A webpage can be made by learners to show not only what they know about a topic but also what skills they have acquired using ICTs.
- Remains avaliable(online) forever
Weaknesses:
- Teachers will have to try to make the page very engaging as it is not interactive with the learner
- If it just has questions for students to answer or a homework exercise on it it is not a very effective way of using this particular web tool.
- No collaboration of learners.
Opportunities:
- A webquest can be designed for students to complete
- Something like a student forum can be added to gauge the thoughts of the learners
Threats:
- Like any web tool simply having a webpage does not necessarily mean that learners will learn. The learning has to be scaffolded appropriately and ensure student engagement.
- Static webpages may be becoming a bit of the past. They have not got the interactivity that newer web applications have to offer.
Links to frameworks:
A student could create a webpage scaffolded correctly under the learning engagement theory. They could RELATE the webpage to a real life application or something that holds an interest to them. They could CREATE the webpage by using images, sound, media showing their level of ICT competence. And they could DONATE their webpage, that is create it for a purpose. For example they may choose to create their webpage as a way of trying to convince the council that their town needs recycling bins in the street. (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1998).The creating part of the webdesign could also (if scaffolded correctly) be linked to higher order thinking and Bloom's Taxonomy (Teachnology, n.d)
References:
Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1998) Engagement theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved from: http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm
Teachnology. (n.d). Bloom's taxonomy verbs. Retrieved from: http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/time_savers/bloom/
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