Reading & Video Reflections

Readings
A Conceptual Framework for Using and Evaluating Web-Based Learning Resources in School Education Here is another link for the article above:
 http://www.jite.org/documents/Vol9/JITEv9p053-079Hadjerrouit743.pdf Video
Web 2.0 Tool Evaluation Criteria

My Reading Reflection

Article Review

A Conceptual Framework for Using and Evaluating Web-Based Learning Resources in School Education 
By: Said Hadjerrouit

             This article discusses framework for and evaluating web-based learning resources in education. I found the article helpful and informative. The article informs the readers that existing WBLRs still lack a number of important issues that need to be considered in design and evaluation(p.54).  The first issue the article states is "Technical usability is important to minimize the cognitive load and helps to free more resources for the learning process itself (p.54). Minimizing the cognitive load will give the students the ability to focus on their learning instead of focusing on how to use the technology or navigate through complicated web-based resources. The second concern the article discusses is the WBLRs need to have more pedagogical usability. Features that should be taken into account is creating WBLRs that are more "flexible, interactive, motivating, and collaborative (p.55). There are many tools out there but the ones which are flexible, interactive, motivating, and collaborative are the ones that stands out in education. The third pedagogical value stated in the article is the lack of support to achieve a "high level of flexibility, interactivity, feedback, differentiation, and collaboration (p.55). These are necessary for the learner-centered approach of the constructivist theory. Using technology effectively puts the student in charge of their learning and the learner-centered approach is necessary. Fourth, teachers should use the WBLRs in connection with their theories. The technology should be integrated into their content and classrooms and should not be used "just to use technology." It should be meaningful and support students learning.

            The information that was most helpful to me is the key criteria that influence the pedagogical usability of web-based learning resources that Hadjerrouit covers in the article. The key criteria that influence the pedagogical usability of web-based learning resources that a teacher should take into account is:

-Understandability
-Added value
-Goal-orientation
-Time
-Interactivity
-Multimedia
-Motivation
-Differentiation
-Flexibility
-Autonomy
-Collaboration
-Variation

Educators must take all the factors of usability into account for the web-based learning resources to be most effective and worth using.

            The students in the study pointed out they wanted a higher level of interaction with the WBLRs. If students opinions are taken into account there is a higher possibility they will gain more from their learning. Being forced  to use technology the student doesn't gain anything from feels like a waste of time for them.

            Following this model educators won't be using technology in the classroom just to use it. By following the framework when choosing the technology, all the bases will be covered. The main features are technology, pedagogy, and content, taking all the key criteria of pedagogical usability into account, and the context of use/evaluation. I feel this is a very practical model to follow.

 Hadjerrouit, S. (2010). A conceptual framework for using and evaluating web-based learning resources in school education. Retrieved from http://brage.bibsys.no/xmlui/handle/11250/138149

Video Reflection

            I found the information on the video "Web 2.0 Tool Evaluation Criteria" very insightful. All the criteria discussed should be taken into consideration while evaluating Web 2.0 tools for educational use. There are many fun and engaging activities out there that can motivate students, but do not challenge their critical thinking or provide a finished product.  The technology should not be the focus of the learning is one criteria that stood out to me. I am still trying to learn how to use a new Web 2.0 tool and I spend more time learning about the tool than using it to actually learn. All my previous ETEC classes have helped me clearly understand how important it is for students to produce a finished product. This has allowed me to look back and see how much I have learned. I feel all the criteria must be met for meaningful learning must take place.

Web 2.0 Tool Evaluation Criteria