Creating a Website

I have learnt about another ICT tool today… websites! I used a very simple site called Weebly to create my website.

I am sure I will use websites in my teaching areas, legal studies and English. Below is a SWOT analysis of my view of websites as an ICT learning tool:

   Strengths

·        Encapsulates the learning theory of connectivism by being connected to the Internet and linking to other pages.

·         Avoids many of the threats that blogs and wikis face, including users can erasing content, bullying and copyright issues.

·         Is engaging for students because it utilises technology they use everyday.

·         Has an unlimited supply of resources because it can be linked to the World Wide Web.

·         A fast way of accessing information.

Weaknesses

·         Utilises more of a teacher-centred learning approach.

·         Cannot be edited by students- students cannot contribute to the website.

·         This style of learning does not suit all students.

·         Technology does not always work properly.

·         Less diverse than wikis and blogs because they can’t be edited by students.

Opportunities

·         Endless connections to the World Wide Web.

·         Ensures the students are learning the correct information.

Threats

·        Students can be subject to unwanted invasions of privacy and internet security breaches.

·         Students may be exposed to offensive material.

Overall I can see lots of value in using websites as a teaching tool. I think using a combination of a class website and a class wiki might work well because it would allow for students to have one ‘reliable’ learning site and one site where they can contribute their own ideas.