Web Technology and Cloud Computing in Education

Course details

On completion of this course, participants will learn the skills to use appropriate educational focused tools to fully utilize the web and technology including cloud, and social media to create effective and engaging learning and teaching. Participants will integrate technology and web-based applications to encourage whole class participation and learn how to connect to schools both locally, nationally and internationally using social media. As part of the course, they will also develop lesson plans using technology as the delivery method and learn how to search and source resources to be used in the everyday teaching of the curriculum for use via technology and the web.

Course Modules

Module 1:

• Understand the Basic Definitions of Digital Components
• Learned how to Connect to the Internet
• Gain skills in using wireless technology for the classroom
• Introduction to Wireless Networks in Schools
• Gain knowledge of the possibilities of using wireless handheld devices and M-Learning in the Classroom
• Learn how to connect the Classroom to the outside Education World
• Gather and analyse the evidence required for the self-evaluation of your teaching

Module 2:

• Audio/Visual Material Available Online
• Learn how to Listen to Audio Online
• Learn how to Watch Video Online
• Access and use YouTube for teaching and learning
• Create a Podcast
• Learn how to work with Skype and Webcams in the Classroom
• Write a short document outline the weaknesses and strengths of your current teaching method

Module 3:

• Introduction to Zoho Word Processor for the classroom
• Gain the skills and knowledge to use Google Docs Word Processing
• Learn how to use Google Docs in the Classroom
• Set up web-based spreadsheets for use in the Maths curriculum
• Write a short self-evaluation report

Module 4:

• Introduction to web-based Website Design
• See best practice by studying an education Case Study: Google Sites
• Learn how to use camera phones for education and integrate them into lesson plans for future use
• Gain the skills to create a classroom blog for teaching, learning and  communication with parents and other classes.
• Devise a development plan to improve on the weaknesses identified

Module 5:

• Introduction to Creative Online Applications for education
• Create Online Presentations for engaging teaching and whole class participation
• Use Google Docs “Drawing
• Create online diagrams that can be used on their own or as part of an online presentation
• Outline the implementation and monitoring plan that you will use during the next academic year to ensure you improve on your teaching

Assessment

Each module will require participants to contribute a post to the course forum in response to a question posed by the course facilitator. Each question will require critical thinking and stimulate discussion among the community of learners, all of which will be discussed using the moderated forum and will in turn develop a community of practice. During the course, participants will answer multiple-choice questions to encourage knowledge retention.

To complete the course, each participant must undertake a significant assignment based on all modules. This exercise will take the form of a reflective exercise, creation of a lesson plan to be used in the following academic year, which will provides an opportunity for the participant to analyse:

• Their key learning points from the course
• The subject of the course in terms of their own experience
• Practical examples of how they will apply what they have learned in their classroom in the year ahead