1. Using a Teacher Website as a Learning Tool Samuel Gabin and Shawn Molloy March 22, 2001

2. Websites: Background Many schools are encouraging/requiring teachers to have websites Numerous options for hosting WordPress Google Sites WikiSpaces Durant Road MS Practices Communication Information sharing Limited use of learning/teaching/assessment

3. Current Uses Student and Parent Communication Weekly Overview Upcoming Assessments Homework and Class Assignments Rules and Procedures Mrs. Molloy’s Website

4. Future Examples More Interactive Teaching and Learning Skill Assessment Teach Technology

5. Connect to 21st Century Skills Technological Literacy Don’t overestimate what kids know Effective Communication Happening currently Lack of accountability High Productivity More to be done Inventive/Creative Thinking More to be done

6. Example 1: Solve a Multi-Step Math Problem Use VideoThread technology hosted on teacher website Supplement classroom instruction Just-in-time tutoring Solving a Multi-Step Equation

7. Example 2: Math Q&A Forum Word Problems Lesson Student led Students email teacher with questions Anonymity Teacher approves and posts questions on website

8. Example 2 Continued… Students respond with answers and instructions Teacher moderates and evaluates responses

9. Example 3: Blog with a Medical Professional Human Body (3 rd quarter) WordPress via teacher website Medical professional writes about “A Day in the Life” Students read blog in class Discuss nature of work Vocabulary Students write back with questions Talk to a Medical Professional

10. Example 4: Checkup Quiz Multiple choice quiz Hosted on the teacher website Uses Google Documents Students can access from any computer Data can easily be processed and charts aid in illustrating the data Digestive System Checkup Results of the assessment

11. Aspirational Example: Web-Based Brochure Digestive System Unit Design a website around an organ in the digestive system Stomach, Liver, Small and Large Intestines Page Content (4) Picture with description, disease, mechanical vs chemical digestion, digestive process

12. Aspirational Example Continued… Have students work in pairs/threes Rubric for grading Content Neatness Layout Accuracy Use of color Large Intestine Website

13. Why We Call This “Aspirational” Access to computers All classes for 2-3 days Access to web-building sites Requires registration Must be 13 or older Safety and security Public or local access

14. Questions/Closing Do you have a website currently? What is your website primarily used for? Would certain subjects work better than others? What are the best ways to ensure the experience is learning centered AND fun? How could our ideas be improved?