Article #7 Classroom Websites

Alper-Leroux, C. (September 17, 2010). Using Instructional Websites to Differentiate. Retrieved from:                 http://www.techlearning.com/article/32974

Summary:

                This article examines the use of a classroom website in a middle school class with several students on IEP’s and a co-teaching environment. The class website has traditionally been used only for posting syllabi or as a simple public image introduction for the instructor; the potential for these websites has rarely been explored. In this particular class, the website has been used to upload class lesson videos, audio of textbooks, provide unit and chapter quizzes, provide a general review for struggling students, and a means of enriching the learning of advanced students by providing further paths of inquiry. The website is designed to appeal to the multiple intelligences and provide help to those in need on their own schedule. The website also gives the option of behaviorally challenged students being able to access lessons in quiet computer rooms with teaching aides away from distractions, without being forced to fall behind. The author points out that there is a definite learning curve, but once the technology is mastered, the process of keeping the website current becomes rather streamlined and expedient. This class had a dramatic increase over the last few years of students accessing and utilizing online content from the website.

Reaction:

                I think this is a great idea. The class website has long been stuck in the category of functionally useless in many respects and redundant in many others. Putting up content in ways that students can actually use it and keeping it current is the only way to do this. I’ve had so many classes that had a website, but the instructor did nothing with it but simply have it to post handouts to, which were supplied in class. It seemed a bit pointless to check the website for anything because everything was old hat. Posting video of lessons/concepts from class as a means of review, as well as potential test material, is a great way to study, especially if the student is visually or kinesthetically inclined. Students who may have dyslexia or reading issues can greatly benefit from the audio portions that they provide of chapters being read aloud and uploaded for access.

                One major issue I see that could come up from increased use of class websites is that many students don’t have adequate access to computers and internet outside of school. In fact, many low SES students, who statistically are in need of more academic help and thus could benefit from the increased instruction opportunities, may fall into this category. In order for this to work, a laptop borrowing program may be needed as well as computer lab times during and after school. Another issue I find is that most teachers are not as computer savvy as the teachers in this article. Making a website, uploading videos and audio, and planning different options in the online aspect of class for different ability level students is a tall task while still planning and teaching lessons every day. I think a strategy such as this could best be used in a co-teaching environment, like the one from the article. I think also that administration needs to investigate the potential of websites such as this and facilitate training teachers to be able to create and maintain them; perhaps they could also hire a few IT people for this purpose.