Jay D'Ambrosio, an ancient civilizations teacher at Seneca Valley Middle School, has created a Web site dedicated to those ancient civilizations.
"I do and I don't find it odd," D'Ambrosio said. "I love the idea of taking something that is thought of as dry, dull and boring and trying to put it in a format where it connects with students."
The 30-year-old Cranberry Township resident's Web site last week was recognized by USA Today as one of three "Best Bets" in education on the national newspaper's Web site. He started the Web site three years ago.
"I realized that if we are not as computer literate as the kids then we are going to be out of the loop," D'Ambrosio said.
He said the Web site helps kids get more information and more individualized attention if they want it.
"I tell (the students) I check my e-mail a couple times a night so if they have any questions they can e-mail and I will try to get them in an answer," he said. "It's almost like they get a one-on-one audience with the teacher."
The Web site has attracted more than just his student's attention.
Heidi Webb, coordinator of National Education Programs for USA Today, said that less than 150 Web sites are chosen each year as "Best Bets." The USA Today Education online staff selects three Best Bets each week.
"Definitely excited. It's a big publication — it's quite an honor," D'Ambrosio said. "It's been really neat to get some recognition."
Kim Crummie, the principal at Seneca Valley Middle School and a former Ancient Civilizations teacher who worked with D'Ambrosio, said the Web page is a great asset for students and teachers. D'Ambrosio has hosted training days for other teachers about building Web pages, Crummie said.
"It's really a neat page. The kids love it," Crummie said. "It's awesome. He does so many wonderful things with technology."
The Web site started out pretty basic with just one picture and lots of text, but has since expanded to include animation and music, D'Ambrosio, a former collegiate swimmer at Grove City College, said.
Although D'Ambrosio said he did not have much interest in computers throughout high school and college, he said he got interested in computers as a hobby and it has since grown.
"The more (I worked on the Web site), the more I found I enjoyed it," he said.
D'Ambrosio, who is in his seventh year of teaching, said when he first started, students used computers for basic word processing. Now, they are designing their own Web pages and downloading music.
"It's been neat trying to figure out what turns the students on to learning," he said.
The students can get more information online if they want to delve deeper into a certain subject, D'Ambrosio said. The Web site can be used as an additional resource and contains links to other sites like Discovery.com, PBS.org or NationalGeographic.com where students can find more information related to the Ancient Civilizations curriculum.
D'Ambrosio said he puts the Web address on each assignment so students can get more information.
"The e-mail I get shows kids are taking charge of their education," he said. "With e-mail they can get a private audience with the teacher. They won't have to wait until the next day to get their question answered."
The Web site has an advantage for the teacher, too.
"It also lets the teacher take charge. It's almost like creating your own textbook," D'Ambrosio said.
While the Internet might appear to be a fluid and temporary world, D'Ambrosio thinks some day people will search Internet archives to find old Web pages.
"I have this feeling that some day there will be Internet archaeologists looking through remnants of ancient Web pages," D'Ambrosio said.
source: www.pittsburghlive.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment