Digital Blog #F

WebQuests, Online learning and virtual schools, and Digital inequalities 

In today's modern world, technology has become a necessity. The education field must utilize digital technology to reach a totally new student born in a digital world. In this blog, WebQuests and digital inequalities will be discussed along with online learning and virtual schools.


WebQuests

As technology becomes essential to teaching, an educator must adapt to new digital forms of lesson planning. I believe WebQuests are perfect for educators to use in this new digital world. WebQuests are designed by teachers for an interactive learning environment for students.When starting a WebQuest, students can follow an electronic map or tour, moving from one source to another. The teacher has already selected the websites that the students will explore. So no need to worry about the content of the websites being anything less than educational. I was given the opportunity to design one myself using QuestGarden. When designing a WebQuest, the designer must follow a step by step process: 1.Stage setting 2. Task 3. Process 4. Evaluation 5. Conclusion.

For the stage setting step, the designer will provide the introduction for the students and the expectations set for the students. In the next step of Task, the designer provides the activities that the students must complete during the WebQuest. In step 3, the Process, the instructions are provided for the previously mentioned activities in the last step. In the Evaluation step, the designer will inform students on how they will be graded or scored on meeting the requirements of the WebQuest, usually this is done in the form of rubrics. In the final area of designing a WebQuest, the conclusion is where the designer will provide a summary of what the students should have accomplished after successfully completing a WebQuest. A well constructed WebQuest serves the same purpose as a research project, with all activities designed with a student's success in mind. I was given the opportunity to create my very own Webquest, check it out.


Online Learning and Virtual Schools

As we have seen technology grow in the education field, online learning and virtual schools have blossomed onto the scene. With blazing a new trail in education, it is no surprise that virtual schools, or any form of online learning causes much debate. Taking a look at the positives of virtual schools, it is easy to see why it is becoming increasingly popular. Virtual schools allow freedom of even the most hectic schedules. Being able to log on from anywhere, especially the comfort of your own home is one of the main reasons people love virtual schools. It also allows for the nontraditional student to further their education. New mothers, older students, or even night shift workers are getting more of a chance to further their educational wants and needs. Not to mention the money that is being saved in an already dwindling education budget. When looking at the criticism from those who oppose virtual schools, many agree that virtual schools create an isolated environment. Critics also argue that virtual schools have less social interaction. I'd like to counter those arguments by saying that virtual schools do not provide less social interaction but provide a different form of social interaction than traditional methods. In virtual schools, one can interact with fellow students and teachers 24/7 through online forums. Here students can discuss projects or assignments given by the teacher as well as give feedback to other students. I've enjoyed many online classes for this exact reason and due to my inconsistent work schedule. I suggest that every student should take at least one online class to gain a different experience that virtual schools bring. Take a look at some Florida programs.

Digital Inequalities 

Just like everything else in life, money rules. The technological world is no exception. Money helps create inequalities in the digital world. The more money one has will have a direct effect on the type of technological experience one will have. Higher income homes will most likely use the internet everyday and are more  likely to own multiple electronic sources, such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, desktop computers and e-readers. These digital inequalities create inequalities in the classroom. Teachers can expect problems trying to incorporate technology into the classroom in lower income areas than in higher income areas. This is a major problem for education. Students will not be given the same opportunities in their education which will directly effect every opportunity down the road. Students not given the same technological advances could hinder a future adult that changes the world. Technology in the educational field is helping teachers identify different learning styles and helps cater to each learning style. Take that away and some students are left in the dust. One of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein says it best, " Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing it is stupid". Society must decide as a whole how to bridge the digital inequalities in and out of the education system. If we bridge the gap for students it an only bring a brighter future to us all. The Pew Research Center provides a prediction for the future.

Resources

Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

QuestGarden.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2016, from http://questgarden.com/

Virtual Education. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2016, from http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/virtual-edu/

Rainie, L. (2015). The Changing Digital Landscape: Where Things are Heading. Retrieved April 22, 2016, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/11/20/the-changing-digital-landscape-where-things-are-heading/

Digital Blog Post #E

Digital Blog Post #E

Student learning objectives, Digital teaching portfolio, and student participation systems