Web based tutorials – are they working?

February 16th, 2012 by Administrator

I’m interested in your experience with web based tutorials and websites. 1. How are you using them? Are you using them during class time, assigning them for homework, or other? 2. What results are you having. 3. Are you collecting assessment data to validate learning? I’d like to broaden my perspective for a literature review that I’m doing.

Introduction
Today teachers are using the Internet for access to computer assisted instruction (CAI) as supplements to core curriculum, to provide multiple exposure to the curriculum, and in order to facilitate the mastery of content. Because of the increase need for repetitive exposure to the curriculum for students with learning disabilities, CAI has potential to aid and facilitate in the acquisition of key language arts skills. Time spent on the computer at school has the potential to provide instructional benefits that advance learning for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD); however, there is little research on the effective uses the Internet sites to advance the specific skills that are being taught in the classroom. Learning objects (LOs) are defined as interactive web-based tools used to support the learning of specific skills (Kay & Knaack, 2009). The Internet is rich with learning objects; however, there has been little research on the effectiveness of the learning objects to the acquisition of knowledge and skills (Kay & Knaack, 2009).
There is very little research on using LOs to address deficits in phonological processing, developmental dyslexia, working memory deficits and other differences in the brain. Do LOs have the potential to advance learning for students with SLD? The purpose of this literature review will be to examine the effectiveness of using LOs as supplements to the curriculum for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities.

Kay, R., Knaack, L., (2009) Assessing learning, quality and engagement in learning objects: the Learning Object Evaluation Scale for Students (LOES-S), Educational Tech Research Dev 57:147-168

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