d.
Developing Your Own Knowledge of the Resources
Having
made decisions about using some of the resources and opportunities
in tandem, it is important for the teacher in the case study to
get to know the resources well enough to feel confident about
using them in the classroom. It is also important that the learners
will feel comfortable about using the resources.
There
are a number of options available to support the learners to carry
out this activity using ICT. Some of the options you will be able
to use will be limited by the access you have to symbols packages.
If you have the Writing with Symbols CD then you need to get to
know how the CD works and the options that are available on it
for creating written material supported by relevant symbols.
We
can focus on this with an exercise that requires that you get
to know a bit more about searching and retrieving material from
a CD-ROM or the web. First, try the following two search methods
using the web:
- Go
to any one of the search engines on the web and type in the
words: the Guardian. Take a note of the number of hits that
you get and take a look to see how relevant they are.
- Then
carry out the activity by inputting the address details into
the address box on the toolbar, in this case delete the current
address and input www.guardianunlimited.co.uk
Secondly,
carry out a similar method using the CD ROM:
- Select
a category of news/media. Look at the range of options that
are available in this section. Then use the search function
to look for a specific topic that made the headlines, for example,
Neil Armstrong, you decide on a subject that may be more recent
or more relevant to your learners.
Now
answer the following questions - just to give you some focus to
begin with:
- From
your own experience of using the search function on the web
how do you perceive your learners comprehending a similar task?
- Similarly
when you selected a category from the CD how do you perceive
your learners' ability to understand the selection of options
available?
- Bearing
the above questions in mind, how much time do you plan to carry
out a search for information on the CD and Web? It might be
an idea to give yourself a time limit and informed choices for
your learners to start with.
- How
will the learners need to be supported in order for them to
access these materials?
- Do
you know how to copy segments from the web or the CD for insertion
in your own worksheets and resources? If you do, are you aware
of the copyright laws governing this action?
When
you have looked some of these resources in the light of these
questions, and perhaps written some worksheets of your own, you
should discuss with your mentor what you want to do with the resource
in the classroom. This can be done in a mentor visit, over the
telephone or by email, and should serve merely to satisfy you
that you are on the right track with your use of the materials.
 e.
Planning the Work of Learners
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