Week 3 - Weebly Reflection

Fiddling around with a few techs this week, not just the required ones.  First, have an explore of q9708050.weebly.com

This Youtube clip I filmed with Snagit.  A 15 day trial is free.  Gamers probably have their favourite screen capture software (I do have Asus GamerOSD, but can't use it for the love of me).  I also had Arcsoft Webcam Companion 4 in case I wanted to film MYSELF at the same time, but Snagit didn't like trying to capture dual screens.

I found an online SWOT generator at I-swot.com to help generate my thinking processes.

This is far from complete, but served as a launchpad for my thoughts as I started preparing for this blog.

The biggest issue I have with using things like Weebly is they dictate so many terms to you.  This MUST go here!  These must be one of 3 sizes!  These are your font choices!  This is great if you're a newbie, but what if you're not?  An example of a site I helped get started before I moved can be found at www.capsilver.org.au.

As I mentioned in my vlog, the top picture on the landing page I would've happily swapped with a map.  Because my map was an image (screenshot) I could've technically changed the picture over.  But what if I was using a Google Map?

Speaking of Google Maps - why not Bing?  Why not Google Earth?  Why not any other GIS (Geographical Information System)?  Geocaching.com uses MapQuest, which is not supported by Weebly.  Weebly also favours Youtube over other video hosting sites - which is probably best, with the current obsession with (*gag*) iDevices.  Will this prove to be an issue?

Weebly does have a lot going for it too.  It is easy enough to use - I spend about 45 minutes on it, while talking to my wife, and eating dinner.  Not sure which was more mentally straining!  The templates on offer are various, and exciting - if you're that way inclined.  It sucks being colourblind - such things are wasted on me!

How effective will this be in a classroom?  It depends on multiple factors:

• School Policy.  Does the school allow such sites to be used?  Is the network configured to allow all the content through?  Some schools have active blocks on Youtube and other "social" sites that could diminish the Weebly site's effectiveness.
• Bandwidth.  What is the Internet connection like where you are?  What is it like where the kids are (because you'd hope they use this tool at home as well as in the class, wouldn't you?)?
• Content.  Weebly allows for forums and comments.  But could this become a hindrance in the class?  Will students use it effectively and wisely?
• Access.  I neglected this in my SWOT, but it does stand to reason that the ICT needed to use a website may not be readily available.  Will you need to fight for access to the computer lab?  Is the internet available at home?  Will it be as effective on an iPad or tablet as it would a PC\Laptop - because the tablet computer is fast becoming a dominant Internet device in most homes!

But the beauty of it - imagine a hub of resources!  Just like CQUni students have Moodle, with links to assessment help, CROs, study guides and other references - WITHOUT THE NEED TO SCOUR THROUGH MILLIONS OF PAGES OF TEXT!  Saves the students time when studying.  If you look after your Weebly, you could use it every year when teaching this subject, updating it as technology changes (Youtube goes 3D!!!!!  Virtual mapping!!!).  Websites could become a powerful teaching device - when complemented with other learning opportunities.

Opportunities is the key word, though.  Learning needs to provide students with the opportunity to explore their learning world, to find the information for themselves and make it memorable and relatable (like this blog is to me).  If the website is just data, then it serves no purpose to you or the class.  This would be the trickiest hurdle when contemplating Weebly in the classroom, in my opinion.

References

CQUniversity Australia (2015), EDED20491 ICTs for Learning Design: Study Guide. Retrieved from https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=15637 25 March, 2015

CQUniversity Australia (2015), Geographical Information Systems: Study Guide. Retrieved from http://onlinemedia.cqu.edu.au/media_request.htm?file=cqu/courses/geog19021/2013_t2_geog19021_sc1372036644&start=00:00:00.0&end=00:00:00.0&formats=16&pcontext=30805&econtext=22940 25 March, 2015

www.geocaching.com

www.i-swot.com

q9708050.weebly.com

maps.google.com

http://www.techsmith.com/snagit.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwlsSoBRDoid2ihqnjjlISJABZoG9-LkEE-wFe1IAIdYfupki1EOCEVka9ubaI9S_aduyrEBoCpzrw_wcB

http://arcsoft-webcam-companion.en.softonic.com/