The Chosen Four

This was a hard decision chosing which ICT's I will focus on for my synopsis. In the Group 1 technologies I have been very impressed with the Blog, Wiki and Weebly capabilities. I can picture using all three of these to support learning in the classroom. Although,  since I need to chose one I have decided to reflect more deeply on Weebly. I have had a lot of fun constructing my own Weebly and this is what I have found.

Weebly.com
Strengths:

• Not being very tech-savvy, I found this tool very east to navigate. Its tool bar was very self-explanatory
• It is free.
• It had a lot of available images to upload and use for free. This is helpful as you don't need to find images elsewhere.
• I was able to upload You tube videos easily into the Weebly
• The website can be set up to be navigated easily therefore, well scaffolded for learning
• You can add links to other websites
• Only the teacher can contribute content. Unlike a Wiki students cannot add or edit work.
• Teachers can pre-organise their lesson on a website. They can have all the images or websites they wish to use in a lesson already linked and ready to go in the weebly.

Weaknesses:

• Only the teacher can contribute content. It is not a collaborative learning tool, although links to a Wiki can be added.
• The website I made was not allowed by Education Queensland when I tried to show it at school. Therefore, you need to ensure you can use it at your school before spending time creating it.
• The availability of computers in the classroom for students to access the website.

Opportunities:

• Teachers can scaffold the website so that students can work individually or in groups to complete an activity.
• Teachers can link a class Wiki to the Weebly as I have done, and instruct students to follow the link and add their information, ideas and opinions.
• Teachers can add links to other sites that they know are appropriate, safe and ethical for the students to find information or research topics on. This way you know that the students are not wasting time aimlessly googling or searching for inappropriate sites.
• Students work can be uploaded to a weebly to share with the class, parents and others.
• Students could make their own weebly for a class project.

Threats:

• Internet speed and availability can hamper relying on it for a lesson.
• Different computers take longer to link and upload Youtubes.
• Must ensure you always acknowledge things that you upload.
• Must ensure images or Youtubes used in your weebly are appropriate for students. For example, did you know that children in Primary School are not allowed to view PG films. It is important to always know the legal, safe and ethical guidelines for using ICT's in the classroom. This site, by the Queensland Government outline the teachers responsibilities when constructing a website and offers suggestions that will comply with Education Queensland regulations.