Butcher & Bethard: "What Does Educational Quality Mean When Assessing Digital Learning Resources?"

Choose one question. Responses due by Oct 6 at 12 noon.

Question 1. In this article, Butcher and Bethard identify twelve dimensions of educational quality that teachers use to evaluate digital resources. Which two dimensions of educational quality do you think are most useful, and which two do you think are least useful? Why?

Question 2. Do you think that using the predictive indicators from Table 3 to rate websites would give useful information to teachers? That is, would information on these predictive indicators help you, as a teacher, decide whether or not to use an online resource? Why or why not?

Recker et al. (2005). You can Lead a Horse to Water: Teacher Development and Use of Digital Library Resources

Choose one question. Responses due by 9/29 at 12noon.

In this article, the authors are a group of researchers who are trying to create tools for teachers to use for effective technology integration. We will look at Instructional Architect in our next class.

Helpful vocabulary: Metadata = the "extra" information that helps digital libraries find materials with specific characteristics. (e.g., target age).

Question 1: In this article, the authors express disappointment that teachers did not use the Instructional Architect tool more often. Do you agree with their assessment of why the IA tool was not more heavily used? Why or why not?

Question 2: Given the authors' description of the Instructional Agent and your knowledge about using technology in classrooms, what do you think are the most helpful and least helpful parts of the tool? If you could give advice to the authors about how to make their tool most useful for you, what would it be?

Rice, Ryan, & Samson (1998). "Using Concept Maps..."

Responses due by 9/22 at 9am.

Question 1: Summarize 1 or 2 main points that you took away from this article. Based on the findings, analyze the pros and cons of using concept mapping in the classroom. Be sure to use findings from the article to justify your analysis.

Question 2: Explain the connection between concept maps and standardized assessments found in this article. Given this connection, do you think concept maps can be used effectively to "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity" (NETS-T #1)? Use data/findings from the article to justify your answer.

Roblyer Chapter 4

Responses due by 9/22 at 9am.

This week, we're going to use a constructive activity on the blog for the Roblyer textbook. Each of you should write a question about Chapter 4 that requires deep understanding to answer (e.g., should include integration and/or reflection, and the answer should NOT be directly available in the text). You should then answer your own question.

I will award bonus participation points for answering another person's question on the blog. To do this, just add an additional comment and note whose question you are answering. (One point for each extra question, for a maximum of 4 points. This is equivalent to earning an extra week of participation credit.)

Roblyer Chapter 8: Integrating the Internet into the Curriculum

Responses due by 9/15 at 9am. Choose one question and note which question you're answering in your response.

QUESTION 1:
Evaluate the six technology integration ideas on pages 258-260. Choose the idea that you find most appealing. Explain how your chosen idea meets either NETS-T #1 or NETS-T #3, using the specific processes in which students are engaged to connect to specific aspects of the standard. (To review the NETS-T standards, visit the following URL: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm)

QUESTION 2:
Use the criteria for evaluating web pages and website design on page 276 (and/or the checklist on p. 278) to analyze our class website (http://sites.google.com/site/edps3140fall2008/). Explain your evaluation of at least two criteria (and don't be afraid of constructive criticism).

Roblyer Chapter 7: Internet & Other Distance Learning Tools

Responses due by 9/15 at 9am. Choose one of the following questions to answer for this chapter. In your response, indicate if you're answering Question 1 or Question 2.

QUESTION 1.
This chapter briefly discusses four categories of communication on the web (1. Email, 2. Listservs, Bulletin Boards, and Blogs, 3. Chatrooms, Instant Messaging, and Video Conferencing, and 4. Cyber Collaborations). Which of these are techniques are you most interested in using in your future classes and why? Use evidence from what you've learned about student knowledge and understanding to justify and explain your choices.

QUESTION 2.
Examine the criteria for evaluating website content on page 236. Choose two of the criteria listed and explain how evaluating those criteria might help you find websites that are particularly well-suited to supporting deep learning and digital-age learning experiences. Use your knowledge of student learning and/or the NETS-T to justify your argument.