The+Use+of+ICT

 The Use of ICT

Incorporating a variety of ICTs into the web quest is an important consideration. By providing students with a range of ICTs they are given the opportunities to develop a range of skills and knowledge needed in today’s society. In our web quest we have chosen to a variety of ICTs including interactive whiteboard, internet, word documents, power point and digital cameras.  INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD The use of the interactive whiteboard is incorporated into the introductions to each lesson. The interactive whiteboard is a great technology to use as it is fun, visual and can be motivating for the student. We think it is important to come together as a class first and simply go through what is expected of the students in each lesson. As a teacher you want to minimise the question of ‘what do we do’ and therefore by going through it at the beginning of the lesson, we hope to reduce this question. Of course this could be done using an ordinary whiteboard, however by using the interactive whiteboard it gives students the view of exactly what they will be doing, from their perspective.  INTERNET The internet is such an important technology for students to develop skills in using. We use the internet in everyday life and therefore by giving the students the opportunities to become familiar in using this tool they will hopefully be able to function in everyday life. We chose specific web sites for our web quest that we feel are age appropriate. We wanted the students to experience researching information about a topic using the internet as most people do. It is important to find sites and information that is appropriate and relevant, as we feel we have done. WORD DOCUMETS Microsoft Word is a very valuable program. In our web quest we have several word documents for the students to open and work on. Not only would some of these tasks be printed out, but they would also be worked on straight from the computer. It is important as teachers to make sure that what students are learning and producing is on task and accurate. Word documents provide work samples that can then be assessed and documented. It provides us as a teacher accountability of what the students are learning and can also show their progress in a particular topic. POWER POINT Microsoft PowerPoint is again another valuable program. It provides a great way to present information to students that is condensed and relevant. We have chosen to use PowerPoint in our web quest to provide students with information about our topic. In doing so, we feel we have condensed the information to each slide so that it is relevant and not over whelming. By using various slides it allows the students to read the information given to them and process it before moving on to the next slide. DIGITAL CAMERAS Digital cameras are a fantastic way to document what the students are learning. We chose to use digital cameras as part of our web quest because students find them very motivating. Students love to use cameras and they are very easy to navigate. They provide us, as teachers, with information of what the students are learning and the learning journey in which they have embarked on. They are a great way to demonstrate to parents what the students are learning and can provide a sample for assessment.