Monday, November 2, 2009

PBS Kids



What is the tool and how can it be used?

The tool that I have chosen is PBS Kids. I first had this idea because my practicum teacher always allows her students to get on this website when they have finished their work. The kids seemed to enjoy it and it look like a great tool to have in your classroom, therefore I thought it would be good to further research it. This website is packed with great utensils for students, parents, and teachers. Students can enjoy playing educational games that are fun but stimulating at the same time. Parents can find links to fun activities and books to share with their children. This is a wonderful tool for teachers because they also can use the activities and books found on the website for their classroom, and they can also feel safe to let their student roam this website when they have free time or have finshed assignments early.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this tool?

Some Advantages are……

• It is kid safe, so parents and teachers can feel comfortable allowing students or children to navigate through it.
• Students can enjoy this website at home.
• It is not just helpful for students but is beneficial to parents and teachers as well.

Some Disadvantages are…….

• There may be some games that might be for fun only, and do not serve for any educational purpose.
• Students could get distracted with show schedules, or parents information.

Who is the audience for this tool?

This is what I love about this website. The main purpose is for elementary students, but parents and teachers also can find this website helpful.

Where can we learn more about this tool?

http://pbskids.org/

http://pbskids.org/coloring/index.html

http://pbskids.org/games/index.html

http://pbskids.org/video/index.html

http://pbskids.org/music/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/parents/cyberchase

What is your opinion on the usefulness of this tool?

I think that this is a wonderful tool for the student, the classroom, the teacher, and the parent. I think that it is an educational tool that can be used in the classroom to help student review educational strategies. I like it because it makes it easy for the parents and teachers to monitor what the student or child is doing on the computer. Overall I believe this is a great educational technology tool!!