WEB-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

In order to effectively compete with all of the extra curricular technological advances for today's generation and video "gamers", unequivocally, collectively, and collaboratively, both the designers of the educational technology and the educators in our classrooms need to make certain the software applications/resources are of the highest quality.

I presume we all agree, educational technology is essential in today's classroom settings. Not only in terms of amplifying one's teaching method, but also in assuring the aggregate learning process [utilizing all effective resources] is maximized.

In reviewing the various websites and videos for modules 5 and 6, being tactful, some of the educational resources were better than others. In order to effectively meet the needs of our students, careful analysis and consideration must be used in choosing your resource(s). Although all met the consistent theme of challenging our students at an age appropriate level, some lacked the graphics, hooks, "bells and whistles" to keep our students engaged.

It is not my intention to come across as overly critical, but rather as someone looking to offer some constructive criticism, and in a small way, the hopes developing a consensus for creating the best educational resources for all of our learners.

I would imagine that when educational software is designed, it is targeted to the masses. Based upon my limited solicited feedback in the school district I reside, I hope actionable steps are being instituted in making certain state mandated standards are met. Otherwise, resources that may be effective in fostering learning will "fall by the waist-side"!

As a side bar, because I believe to some degree they are representative of today's learners, I tested some of the sites on my sons [6th and 10th graders].

Firstly, let me make clear, I fully appreciate that "checks and balances" are necessary, and also there are marketing sales/goals designers have to consider. But in my observation, I found that sites that required extensive logins, passwords, personal information, and so, discouraged their otherwise curious nature. I guess my point is, if we expect our students to proactively/independently access and explore educational resources, we need to somehow minimize some of the pain-staking login steps.