Week 3 - Engagement Acivity 5

The purpose of this blog is to reflect on creating a website.  This SWOT analysis below provides a summary of the functionality of a website through strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Strengths	Weaknesses	Opportunities	Threats
It meets that needs of multiple learning styles.	Other website viewers are unable to leave feedback.	Websites can facilitate Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge framework if the teacher has a good understanding of how to use websites effectively to achieve student learning outcomes.	The teachers role may be altered to that of a facilitator.
It can facilitate the use of multiple forms of technology including videos, images, and PowerPoints presentations.	Without an effective scaffold, it will not benefit students' learning.	Websites can also improve students learning outcomes if the teacher takes cognitive, affective and psychomotor aspects of learning (as part of Bloom's Taxonomy), into account when developing the scaffold for the website.
It is easier for the teacher to manage as it is less time consuming to monitor for appropriate comments.	It requires good internet access.	The Cognitive learning theory could be facilitated by adding tools to the website like concept maps and PowerPoint presentations to build on students prior understanding, to a develop deep understanding.
It only allows one or a group of authors to make changes to the website.	It is not interactive.	Teachers could facilitate students to develop their own website to develop creativity, self regulation, and student direction.
It facilitates Behaviourism learning theory by encouraging students to practice, practice, practice, with technology through online quizzes and video tutorials.		Based on Social Constructivism learning theory, teachers could facilitate students to develop a class website to promote inclusivity, group identity, and connectedness to the world, by encouraging the community to view it.  This may also foster engagement as the website would be learner focused, and better relate to students' interests.
It supports Connectivism learning theory by using the internet and computers for learning.		It provides an opportunity to have weekly newsletters, class updates and reminders for parents on the website.
It facilitates academic engagement.		It has the potential to enhance student learning by the teacher creating an effective scaffold.
		There is the potential to use the website as a class topic outline or online contents page with links to multiple digital technologies that could be potentially utilised.

As with wikis and blogs, the teacher should discuss the importance of adhering to ethical, legal and safe guidelines when using and creating a website, to promote student safety at all times (CQUniversity Australia, 2012).  In the future, as a primary school teacher, I feel that websites could be used as an engagement tool to facilitate learning, particularly by adding digital teaching tools like PowerPoint presentations, tutorials, videos and images, to the website (CQUniversity Australia, 2012).  I like the idea of students developing their own website to foster creativity, independence and learning through the use of e-learning or digital technology (CQUniversity Australia, 2012).

My website link is: http://emmataylorictsforlearningdesign.weebly.com/

References:

CQUniversity Australia. (2012). EDED20491- ICTs for learning design:
      online study guide. Retrieved from  
      http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/pluginfile.php/407928/mod_page/content/8/web.html