7 - Bloom's Taxonomy and Web Page

The use of PowerPoint can be applied to each level of Bloom's Taxonomy. An American History class scenario will be used for the examples. The first step of the taxonomy is "remembering", for which PowerPoint can be used to list important terms, names, and dates for the particular section of American history. Students can recite the list and copy the information down for use later in the lesson.  For the "understanding" level, definitions and simple concepts can be displayed on the slides. Graphics may also add to the understanding of main ideas. Next, the multimedia aspect of PowerPoint can be used for the "applying" level. Maps and videos can be included on the slides to add to the concepts of the lesson. Students can then apply dates and key terms to what they're seeing. Progressive maps that show military movements during the Revolutionary War would also lead students into the "analyzing" level. Students would begin to see more complex concepts and analyze the cause and effect of battles throughout the war. For the "evaluating" level, questions and activities can be included in PowerPoint to allow students to make judgements based on how the war progresses. Students may also develop ideas of what military action may have been more or less effective in hindsight. Finally, PowerPoint can easily be used by students for the "creating" level. Students can make their own presentations to elaborate on a particular event or battle. The information gathered throughout the lesson can be applied to the slide creation as students develop upon the material.

Adaptive technologies are important for students with disabilities. The podcast explains that adaptive technologies are used to modify input and output options for students based on their computing needs and capabilities. One example would be voice recognition software for students that may be unable to type. The technology would be adjusted to the particular student as the software begins to recognize that students speech patterns. I have never seen this type of adaptive technology used in the classroom, but I must assume that it may have associated challenges. For example, if the class is expected to complete essay questions on a computer-based exam, the student using voice recognition software would have to take the test in a separate location so that the other students don't hear his/her answers. Chapter 4 of the text also mentions a potentially distracting addition to the classroom. Screen readers may be great for visually impaired students, but the software may cause issues with focus. Either the entire class will hear the screen reader as it performs or the impaired student will wear headphones and potentially miss out on other verbal instruction.

I learned a lot of new skills while working on the Web Page assignment. The software was fairly user friendly and I am now aware of how easy it is for teachers to include webpages for their teaching effectiveness. I like the use of a class webpage to disseminate news and deadlines to students and parents. I will need to work on the creative aspect of webpage design in order to build a site that is both aesthetic and practical. I plan to use feedback from parents and students to tweak the layout and information to fit their needs and wants. You can check out my website in the screenshots below or by clicking here.