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

UOIT Started in Students Laptop based university Masters Program – Virtual or SynchronousMasters Program

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

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

Net Generation A Vision of K-12 Students TodayK-12 Students Today

So what prevents you from using computers with your class?prevents you 1.In pairs, make a short list and post response at todaysmeet.com/WBLT todaysmeet.com/WBLT

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

Web-Based Learning Tools Information ToolsProduction ToolsCollaborative ToolsInteractive Tools

Web-Based Information Tools Video Podcasts (e.g. Khan, Teacher Tube)Video Podcasts Pinterest (personal resources)Pinterest Scoopit (personal resources)Scoopit For more information go to:

Web-Based Production Tools Google Docs – Create and share documentsGoogle Docs Prezi – Presentation softwarePrezi Jing – Create you own videoJing Animoto Concept Maps Glogster Padlet For more information go to:

Web-Based Collaboration Tools Wikis – Create websites in groupsWikis Blogs – Comment on anything in groupsBlogs Pirate Pad – Sharing IdeasPirate Pad Google Hangout (Virtual Meeting)Google Hangout Twitter For more information go to:

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

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

Agenda- Web-Based Learning Tools 1.Finding WBLTsFinding 2.Choosing WBLTsChoosing 3.Using WBLTsUsing

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

Playtime Go to kayuoitpres.wikispaces.com/kayuoitpres.wikispaces.com/ ▫Finding WBLTs Find one that you like ▫Post at ▫Type Liked ” Find one that you did not like ▫Post at ▫Type Did not like ”

How do you choose? What features do you like? Post at What features DON”T you like? Post at

Current Research on Choosing WBLTs students 3 school boards districts teachers Attitudes & Learning Performance Came up with a list of features that lead to good results …

Features … 1.Easy to use 2.Colour & look 3.Multimedia (Video, Images, Audio) 4.Design (Does it make sense?) 5.Interactivity 6.Enhances Learning 7.Context/Theme 8.Instructional Wrap

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

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

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

A Good Lesson with WBLTs 1.ContextContext 2.Learning GoalsLearning Goals 3.TinyurlTinyurl 4.Demo (if necessary)Demo 5.Guiding QuestionsGuiding Questions 6.Presentation + QA WBLTsPresentation + QA WBLTs 7.ParticipationParticipation 8.Check learning afterlearning

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

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

Use tinyurl.com or tiny.cc

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

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

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

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

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

Contact Information Robin Kay: Wiki for this Session: