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Nicole Bish
EDU-225
10/11/2014
David Larson

Creation of a Classroom Website:
Technology to Support Communication

As the world becomes more technologically advanced, classrooms have had to change to
adapt to this new digital age. The Internet has enabled schools to connect not only with each
other, but with classrooms around the world. This instant access to anything and everywhere is
changing the way students learn within the classroom. In America, nearly all schools have
access to the Internet and networks (Shelly, Gunter, and Gunter, 2012). Using this technological
advancement, there are many different ways schools are developing communication techniques.
A few technological tools to enhance communication between students, parents, and the global
community include class Web sites or blog sites, e-mail, and educational game sites.
Web or blog sites that are designed specifically for a classroom are great tools to develop
communication with students. Research has found that using technology with education can help
students focus for a longer period of time, that it makes students more excited to learn,
technology allows them to learn at their own pace, and it prepares them for the future
(Huneycutt, 2013). If a classroom has a page designed just for student use, it can enhance what
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has been taught during class hours when students login from home. Also, the site could be used
during class hours to add to a lesson.
Parents can feel included with their childs education through classroom sites and easily
communicate with the teacher. Parents can also login to the classroom page to see what their
children are learning. They can read announcements, view classroom event calendars, and check
on their childs assignments. Parents who are aware of what their child is learning will be able to
assist with the learning process. They can either use links on the class site or research topics on
their own. Parents can communicate with their child and with the teacher through a class site.
Classroom sites can be tools to help communicate with the global community. If a class
links with another class using video chats, they can be introduced to different cultures,
languages, and view how education takes place in foreign countries. Students can even do
experiments together and compare the results. An example of this global connection was
recorded by Caralee Adams in her article entitled, Teaching Kids to be Global Citizens.
Adams remarked how students in the Washington International School studied the water
pollution in the Potomac River and then compared their results with students in Bangkok,
Thailand who took samples from the Chao Phraya River. These students were able to discuss the
differences and similarities they found in their local rivers. An assignment such as this will
remain in their minds (Adams, 2014, para. 3). A lesson such as this has the chance to spark
interests in what happens all over the world.
Another common technological tool used to enhance communication is e-mail. An e-
mail is a system for sending messages from one computer to another computer (E-mail, 2014).
This electronic transfer is nearly instantaneous. As long as the e-mail address is known for the
recipient, an e-mail can be sent to them quickly; whereas with using the postal service, a letter
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can take over 2 days to reach the intended recipient. If parents have any comments, concerns, or
questions, they can e-mail their childs teacher. A responsible teacher should respond as quickly
as possible. E-mail presents an opportunity for direct and instant communication between a
parent and teacher.
Not only can parents reach a teacher quickly with an e-mail, but students can as well.
There are times, especially with older students, where a question needs to be posed for
clarification. A student who has their teachers e-mail address can simply send their teacher an
e-mail containing their question. As long as the teacher is dutiful to check their inbox, then a
question can be answered almost instantly. This form of communication is personal and helpful.
E-mail can also open communications globally. A class can have access to another class
across the ocean in a few minutes just by sending an electronic communication through e-mail.
This can allow students to connect globally to each other, as well as teachers and even parents.
E-mail can also be used as a form of pen-pal communication. Students will be able to learn
about any place in the world from someone who lives there. This will cause students to think
globally.
A third tool that can be used to enhance communication is educational Internet games.
Teachers can place links to these games on a class Web or blog page, send them via e-mail, or
even send a paper home from school with a list of suggested sites. Parents can review these sites
and communicate with their children by playing these games together. The goal is to enhance or
reiterate what has been learned during classroom hours. This can help parents feel included in
their childs education.
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Students, who will be the primary users of education Internet games, will benefiting from
their play. Not only are games fun, but they can be a positive teaching tool. Teachers can
communicate the importance of a lesson by giving their students access to certain games. For
example, a game that focuses on timed typing drills will be fun for the student while teaching
them how to be a better typist.
Globally, there are games students can play together. Video chats can occur between
students who are playing a French language game. The students using the video chat can be
from America and Quebec, for example. The student from Quebec can be helping the American
student learn the French words needed to advance in the educational game. There really are
many different opportunities for global learning through fun educational internet games.
With any Internet communication, safety should always remain a priority. Students
should be taught to remember the ethics code. Ethics are, the standards that determine whether
an action is good or bad (Shelly, Gunter, and Gunter, 2012, pg. 426, para. 1). This will prevent
bullying and many other potential problems. This includes unauthorized use of computers,
hardware, software, and information theft, information privacy, copyright, and the existence of
objectionable materials on the Internet (Shelly, Gunter, and Gunter, 2012, pg. 426, para. 2).
Tools powered by technology for enhancing communication between parents, students,
and the global community include class Web and blog pages, e-mail, and educational Internet
games. When these tools are used wisely and safely, they can open up a wealth of
communication unheard of a few decades ago. It is important that teachers implement these
tools into their lesson plans and that schools add them to their curriculums. What better way to
prepare students and parents for the future and the world than by teaching them how to use
technology for communication today?
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References

Adams, C. (2014). Teaching kids to be global citizens. Retrieved from
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/teaching-kids-be-global-citizens
Huneycutt, T. (2013). Technology in the classroom: the benefits of blended learning. Retrieved
from http://www.nms.org/Blog/TabId/58/PostId/188/technology-in-the-classroom-the-
benefits-of-blended-learning.aspx
Shelly, G., Gunter, G., & Gunter, R. (2012). Teachers discovering computers: integrating
technology in a connected world. Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-
resources/cengage/2010/teachers-discovering-computers-integrating-technology-and-digital-
media-in-the-classroom_ebook_7e.php
E-mail. (2014). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam
webster.com/dictionary/e-mail

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