READ | TEACHING @ | TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
benefits | modes of technology | resources
The World Wide Web in Teaching &Learning
As computer technology becomes more sophisticated, “virtual” media are becoming more valuable and widespread in educational settings. One such medium is the World Wide Web, which is increasingly being used as an instructional tool and has proved to have great potential in reshaping teaching and learning.
Pedagogically, instructors can develop assignments to have students use the Internet as a resource in their learning. Students can visit designated web sites or can search for pertinent sites and report their findings to the instructor. Or, they may be given an assignment to join an online discussion group appropriate to the subject matter. Students may find it valuable to download information, both text and graphics, and create a reference file. Because of ease of access, 24-hour availability, and the vast amount of information, students may be more motivated to explore web sites than to visit a local library. Usually, resources on the Internet are more up-to-date than material in textbooks, but URLs (web addresses) given on the syllabus need to be verified periodically for validity. Instructors must show students how to cite Internet sources in reports and projects and must also discuss the quality and accuracy of information on the web.
One feature of the web that has been particularly appreciated by both instructors and students is the online discussion. Identified benefits include the following (Merry Merryfield, OSU faculty, 2001):
- The substantive quality of the discussion increases for the most part when it goes online.
- Online discussions can be organized to promote educational equity.
- Students marginalized in large class discussions (because of their language, their “differences,” their shyness or reticence, their learning styles, etc.) usually benefit when discussion goes online.
- When interacting online as opposed to face-to-face, students are much more likely to engage people whom they perceive as “different” from themselves.
On the other hand, instructors should be clearly aware that online discussions benefit mainly people who are comfortable with online technologies and the process of reading and writing on the computer. For those who are not comfortable with computer technologies and the lack of face-to-face interaction, or those who do not have easy access to computers, they may feel that online discussions are a burden, unfair, or inappropriate. Therefore, to reach out to all students, instructors need to keep a balance and incorporate multiple teaching techniques in web-enhanced courses so that all students
will thrive.
 previous page |
