Web Resources in the Classroom

While modern research using the internet is definitely better than the old days of Dewey Decimal and micro phish, the sheer amount of information available can be overwhelming. A teacher or student could spend endless amounts of time finding and sorting information about a particular subject without the proper tools. When properly used, search engines make the research process both meaningful and efficient. Personally, I like to begin researching a topic by using a search engine to perform broad keyword searches. These searches provide a wide array of URLs on the topic, which when explored typically leads to a particular topic of interest. Once a more specific topic is established, advanced searches using multiple keywords help narrow the field.(Roblyer and Doering, 2013) The idea is to start your searches broadly enough to get a good overview of the subject, and then narrow the field without spending excessive amounts of time combing through URLs that are not relevant.

 

According to reference, “an essential skill in the Information Age is being able to evaluate information critically and to look for indications that content is accurate and reliable.”(Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p. 223). This video uses humor to introduce students to the concept of evaluating content. Among the concepts introduced by this video are evaluation of information provided, information currency, and information quality.(Roblyer and Doering, 2013) This video would work well in conjunction with a content evaluation check sheet which can be found at http//www.cyberguide.cpm/content/pdf.

The website (http://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/high-school-personal-finance/) is a one that I plan to use in my classroom. Trying to develop lesson plans and teaching strategies can be overwhelming, especially for new teachers. This website provides excellent resources for finance instructors. Structure, organization, and ease of navigation are important characteristics of a well designed website and this site meets this criteria.(Roblyer and Doering, 2013) The navigation bar across the top provides good organization for the many topics in the dropdown menus and most key terms throughout the site are linked as well. Also, the pages have excellent load times.

Wikis “encourage collaboration and communication of ideas by having user modify content.”(Roblyer and Doering, 2013,p. 255) This wiki (http://highschoolpersonalfinance.wikispaces.com/) is a great example of this concept. It was created ‘by students, for students” and it includes information on basic personal finance topics and vocabulary. When I was a finance student, I discovered that helping other students was a very effective way to increase my own understanding. The students who created this blog not only helped their peers learn, I am sure they also earned a lot themselves. This is an example of the way I would like to use wikis in my classroom.

References:

High school personal finance. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://highschoolpersonalfinance.wikispaces.com/

National financial educators council. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/high-school-personal-finance/

Roblyer , M. D.,& Doering, A. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (6th ed., pp. 109-133). Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education, Inc.

Slowinski, M. (2011). Determining website credibility [Web]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKVL1ehDQB0