Web 1.0 and Walled Gardens

 

Image retrieved from:  

http://wemtech.wikispaces.com/

Web 1.0 "Reading, Receiving, Responding"

Web 1.0, is the original stage of the World Wide Web which links webpages with hyperlinks. The first stage of the internet was based around a small number of 'authors' creating informative webpages for the vast number of consumers. Web 1.0 pages were static and did not offer collaborative generated content as with Web 2.0. Although, Web 2.0 has been hailed for providing greater opportunities for collaboration in education, Web 1.0 still has it's place in classrooms.

Advantages of Web 1.0 in education:

Effective transmission of knowledge while offering a level of student autonomy within a safe and secure learning environment.

Web 1.0 tools such as drills and quizzes, follow a behaviourist approach. Through fun and repetitive activities, students can achieve a level of mastery of a topic/concept. The following is a website which I found with links to other useful teaching websites offering free lesson plans, worksheets and online quizzes: 

 'The Best on the Web for Teachers'.  In addition, Times- Best 10 Educational Websites offers a combination of static and interactive materials, some with web 2.0 elements.

Authentic materials:

Reference sites such as Visuwords, an online graphical dictionary, allows you to search words to find their meanings and associations with other words and concepts. Online dictionaries are a source of reliable information for students. Conversely, Wikipedia is the result of dynamic collaborative generated information and because of this, its reliability is questionable. Other reliable popular online reference sites include, Google Earth and WatchKnow. WatchKnow provides credible videos due to the fact they've been previewed, edited and organised.  The youtube video Google Earth in classroom, provides an example of how the program can be used in conjunction with smart boards to enhance learning in subjects such as S&E. In addition,WebQuest is a site designed to make the web more interactive and encourages discovery learning.

Walled Garden: 

According to Wikipedia, 'Walled Garden' refers to "a closed or exclusive set of information services provided for users.  This is in contrast to giving consumers open access to applications and content."   Walled gardens can offer, rich interlinkage, but a paucity of links to and from its surrounding information network. Hence, walled gardens are safe and secure however, lack a level of creativity and flexibility. Tools include, VLEs and discussion boards. 

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE):

Is a system where users originate and let applications and information come to them. For instance, Webct is designed to support teaching and learning in an educational setting. 

A teacher/parent VLE could include:

* message channels

* images of students' work

* questions parents could ask students to help review what they learned in school

* links to educational videos and websites

* Reminders

There are an increasing number of UK schools making use of VLEs to support teaching and learning activities. VLEs can also be used in teacher development programs. The following website provides  Examples of VLEs in schools. VLEs can be highly beneficial in primary schools, particularly when used as part of an integrated approach which "combines interactive, whole class teaching, with independent online work, which nevertheless maintains a social dimension to learning"(Berry, 2005, p.16). Berry (2005) suggests that VLEs can help to improve pupils' attitudes to learning and somewhat improve assessment performance, particularly for those pupils who had adopted a more holistic view of their studies.  Moreover, VLEs can improve home-school learning as sudents can access the school curriculum from home without  the need of additional hardware or support costs to the school. For the full article, click here:'A virtual learning environment in primary education'

Discussion Boards:
A discussion board (sometimes also called a discussion forum or just an online forum) is a place where participants can engage in text-based conversation organised into topic-based discussion threads.

In week 2, we had to participate in a class discussion board and answer three questions. These were :

1) What is the value of web 1.0 in education?

2) What is the value of VLEs in education

3) What is the value of discussion boards in education?

From this first hand experience, I have come up with the following advantages and disadvantages of using this tool in education.  

Advantages of asynchronous discussion boards:

• Allows students to freely express their thoughts and respond to messages at different times. There is less pressure to come up with an immediate response and gives students more time think over their responses. 
• Follows a social constructivist approach: students' responses help co-construct learning.
• Encourages all students to participate. Students who are less vocal in class, often find it easier to express themselves through discussion boards.
• A great tool for ESL students to practice their comprehension and writing skills i.e. moodle
• Participants can scroll forwards and backwards through a conversation to see the overall structure. 
• A sense of virtual communities can be established through frequent contributors. 

 Disadvantages of asynchronous discussion boards:

• Can be time consuming thinking about, reading and writing responses.
• Interpersonal barriers can get lowered, no facial expressions, tone of voice etc. There is a danger of students sharing private information, over sharing or making aggressive comments, known as 'flaming.' Teachers need to be constantly updated on students' posting to help regulate discussion boards.