ACTIVITY 5a:  BLOG LINKS

Numerous web resources are available in a wide range of disciplines for the individual who has the time, patience and commitment to search for them. I conducted my search in the area of Language Arts, and it became evident that such a task can be overwhelming.  However, narrowing the search down to specific key words, such as resources for a particular grade level did help.

In most cases, the websites that I found were of good quality.  I was able to apply what was done in previous activities in evaluating these websites, and concluded that many of them can be excellent resources for use in our Language Arts lessons.  The worksheets, games, interactive activities and tests that are found on the sites can certainly add value to what occurs in the classroom.  Additionally, resources for teachers, such as lesson plans, give much needed support to the teacher.  

Undoubtedly, the time and energy that was exerted searching and evaluating these web resources was well spent, as I was able to add to the list of those which I currently use in my classroom. 

Following are links to four of the websites that I found most useful:

www.softschools.com

www.henryranker.com

www.toonuniversity.com

mrnussbaum.com

  

Activity 3: Reviewing Educational Software

The practical nature of this module continues to interest me. Activity 3 provided the opportunity for me to focus on criteria for evaluating educational software in very much the same way as I have evaluated textbooks in the past.  

In planning for our students, we can take nothing for granted.  Making the decision to use particular types of software in the classroom, requires that these selections not only suit our immediate purpose, but are those from which our students can benefit most.  I believe that exposure to this activity has given me the platform from which I can now launch into actually evaluating the materials that I choose to use in my classroom.  This, for me, is an essential part of my professional development. Although I did use my own criteria in selecting the educational software which I currently use in my classroom, this activity offers a more scientific method of reviewing and evaluating those that are available to me.