Educational Technology Usage Within a Classroom: Educator Perspective
edWeb.net is an educational platform designed for educators to learn and expand their knowledge on various educational topics. The website’s goal is to provide live and some archived webinars for all users. The topics of the webinars vary, ranging from education-related issues; for example, one webinar discussed flexibility and accessibility, while another focused on work-life balance, and another explored how to use STEM technology with elementary school students. The versatility between the different webinars makes this a site that all educators can use. Upon entering the site, a list of upcoming webinars is displayed, all of which will be occurring live. The list is quite extensive, and there appears to be a consistent number of webinars each week (1 to 2 webinars, Monday through Thursday).
While the website has many features, some of which I found particularly useful for educators are the Case Studies: Virtual Professional Learning section. Here, you can view previous webinars and articles that have been written. There is also a tab for an edWeb Blog, which links to a more consistent stream of information via a blog format. Overall, for educators in the classroom, the tools provided on the website can be valuable sources of information and guidance when navigating the teaching process.
Usefulness in a School Library
As mentioned previously, the information is quite versatile and encompasses various topics that could be applied to the school library. On the day to day, I don’t know if this is a platform that could be used because the resoning behind the site is for educating eductaors thus, the resources in it while helpful when educating (because of the form and duration of the webinar), is not the quickest way to find a learn about new information or technology. Additionally, because it is more of an educator tool, there is not much that can be done with the site in the classroom. Overall, while I can envision a school librarian using and interacting with the platform when seeking more information on a specific topic, I am unsure whether it is a tool that a librarian will use daily.
Implications
Overall, the website is quite accessible and user-friendly. However, in general, it would be better organized if the user could see a direct archive of all the webinars the website has. Some pages will direct you to popular webinars, but there are no direct pages that allow users to access the archives of the webinars to view all the topics that have been covered.
Accessibility
The website features are clear and accessible. For example, the webinars are open to anyone interested, and registration is free of charge. Additionally, the blog is accessible to anyone curious, and some of their previous webinars (although not all) are available through a podcast. However, while the website is overall decently accessible, many of the requirements for receiving the certificates after participating in a webinar involve creating an account. While this does completely ruin the experience on the site, it is a feature that limits the user experience and makes users less likely to use the site.
Overall
This website is helpful for educators looking to advance their knowledge and skills. Although there are some accessibility limitations, the site offers a wealth of free resources. It is a valuable tool to show other educators and administrators.