Hello! I am Rachel Tucker, a graduate student at University of West Georgia who is undertaking a Master’s in Instructional Technology with completion expected by the end of Summer 2017. This website was designed as part of the course requirements for MEDT 7462 to demonstrate my understanding of internet tools, applications, and resources. This website focuses on language arts and literature aspects of web-based technology; however, software is available for science, mathematics, literacy and social studies too. Keep in mind that some of the stuff may be useful for more than one subject area. Shaltry et al (2013) discovered in their study of student teachers that educational environments are the perfect place for the successful implementation of technology to encourage creativity (p. 20). How many times have you needed information, researched it, and forgotten where you found it when you needed it later? How about the information you wrote in that document? This has happened often enough for me that I have created files in Microsoft Word to store document after document of information and favorite links. That became inconvenient when I needed a link, but the Word document was stored on a hard drive elsewhere. Likewise, flashdrives, or jump drives, are only good if you remember to take them along with you. When Google Drive formed, and uploading documents became easier, I chose that route—easily accessible documents from anywhere that has internet connection. But wait! What if the information I prepared on that document and its links could be shared with everyone without having to physically select from a narrow list of friends with WHOM to share it? I am excited about the possibilities that owning a website brings. Using the Weebly tool has profoundly changed my concept of sharing information with my teammates. The idea of creating a resource-filled website thrills me! Much of our society and our nation's manufacturing depends on technology, so it only seems to follow that education should utilize it “to enhance the production and transmission of knowledge” (Reychav, Warkentin, & McHaney, 2015, p.24). In order to prepare today's students, teachers are adapting more and more web-based learning into their curriculum as a means of generating productive citizens who will be competitive in the world market. This site and its contents are designed with K-12 teachers, the needs of their students, and their spectrum of skills in mind. Now let's get our toolboxes out and begin!
References Reychav, I., Warkentin, M., & McHaney, R. (2015). Exploring Effects of Media Type and Delivery Technology on Facilitating Critical Thinking Among College Students. Journal Of Educational Technology Systems, 44(1), 22-35. Shaltry, C., Henriksen, D., Wu, M., & Dickson, W. (2013). Situated Learning with Online Portfolios, Classroom Websites and Facebook. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 57(3), 20-25.