Week Three...

Digital Technologies 1

After already exploring a Wiki and a Blog, this week I chose to challenge myself and create a website...and I'm pleased I did. Using the website Weebly, I was able to construct and design a website of my own. I found this online tool very user-friendly. My website I created is Little Tribe, a hobby I am very passionate about.

Being tech savvy, I have learnt some coding from a brilliant site Codecademy. Coding is what creates software, apps, websites, browsers and this very blog. However, with Weebly, there are no technical skills required. It makes it possible to create a website without needing coded languages.

Examples of Weebly Themes

It offers it's users an extensive range of formats and once chosen, a simple drag and save process is all it takes. The user can upload photo's from their computer, shuffle photo's by click and drag, add/delete pages from menu, add captions to images & create slideshows. Each page is easily personalised with text, images, media, choice of fonts/themes and structure are all chosen by the user. As their slogan suggests, Weebly is surprisingly easy.

Just as a complicated mathematical equation is broken down, Weebly is also. The user is guided through each editing page; Build, Design, Pages and Site Stats. What seemed initially to be complicated, becomes an easy process. An additional advantage is the option of including a Blog and/or Forum, converting a static website, into an interactive site. 
From a teacher's perspective, a classroom can be built easily. Through Weebly's well organised interface, learning managers can manage students from their education account, upload assignments online and inform parents of progress.

A video worthwhile watching if considering building a website on Weebly I found on YouTube is above.

From a student's perspective, they can creatively construct their own websites (providing they're over 13 years of age, otherwise they need adult consent), and engage in the blogs and forums. Regardless whether the student in the typical classroom is generally quiet and reserved or usually loud and extroverted, in a virtual classroom all students are equal. Therefore the platform that Weebly (and other sites like it) creates is a more interactive classroom and consequently increases engagement. 

Image from InsideOut

Upon completion of my degree, I hope to become a Home Economics teacher. Weebly would be a valuable tool to enhance the learning of my students. Through the textile pathway, I could upload a video of a fashion designer as inspiration and research, podcast a presentation with a local designer or textile maker, or create a slideshow which could showcase some of the creations designed by students. 

From the cooking aspect, the class could construct a virtual cookbook, a map of the origins of food's could be created using the map tool on the site, followed by a poll of what recipe should be selected to cook that week. 

Through the blogs, forums, polls and interaction within the site, the students are able to form knowledge, apply their new knowledge and ideas, collectively they are able to analyse and evaluate, which successively challenges their higher order thinking skills. Students can interact, observe and grasp the curriculum objectives in an engaging format, from anywhere. 

At the suggestion of another e-Learning student, I tested the Creately website to display a SWOT analysis I created for Weebly.

In brief, the experience I had this week with Weebly was one of great benefit. I feel confident that if I were to utilise this platform in the classroom I would operate it to it's full potential, and enhance my students' level of learning.

http://www.weebly.com
http://www.codecademy.com
http://www.youtube.com
http://www.homelife.com.au/magazine/inside+out
http://creately.com