Reflection 2 Week 3

This week I chose to make a Weebly and discover how to construct one. It was a little tricky at first as I have had no previous experience in website design. However thanks to the interface I quickly learnt how to create one. On the left hand side there is a task bar that you can easily click, drag and place where you would like the body of text, link, video, picture, audio file or any other option placed. You then add your body of text or the content you want to the corresponding box. You can personalise your Weebly in any way you like. However it is important it conforms in design to a standard layout for web pages.. If people cannot navigate your website quickly or efficiently they will give up and leave your website no matter how informative your knowledge is on the website.

The link to my website which talks about blogs in the classroom: http://wsgdlt2015.weebly.com/

This video by Kate Russell on how to create a Weebly is quite comprehensive and an excellent guide:

Weeblys are a fantastic tool that can be integrated into a class I could be teaching in classroom music.

The format of the Weebly I would most likely follow would be:

Page 1. Home page: Welcoming screen and a brief overview of the assessment.

Page 2.  Instruction: This would include all instructions for the assessment on the page as well as links to related videos, audio files, websites, articles and other useful research material as starting locations for the students’ assessment. I would also conduct a basic poll on the bottom of the page for feedback on how the assessment could be improved (increased transparency etc)

Page 3.  Criteria: I would have the full marking criteria on display so all students can use this as a guide while writing their assessment.

Page 4 Blog: At the top of the page I would type expectations of the students about blog etiquette, that assessment related posts are only allowed to be discussed on this blog and that all are to contribute in some way. Also give them a reminder that I will be monitoring the blog at all times.

A SWOT chat for use of a Weebly in the classroom:

STRENGTHS ·      All relevant information, blog and criteria is in the one website ·      Blog for all students to interact together and share ideas ·      Links to all media formats ·      Polls and feedback ·      Share information with a wider community	WEAKNESSES ·      Must have an always be online to access material ·      Online Distractions ·      Online resource legitimacy
OPPORTUNITIES ·      Collaborations at anytime of the day ·      New and unviewed or known resources ·      Sharing of resources ·      Incorporate the wider community ·      Shy students have a way to contribute without personally putting themselves out there	THREATS ·      Students not using blog etiquette ·      Those outside of school looking to see what students are doing with malicious intent ·      Online Distractions ·      The blog guidelines not being adhered to ·      Some students unwilling to participate in online activities

Here is Weebly's own short demonstration video about using the website in education: