Benifits of online "Learning Objects"

The benefits of these learning objects that I have shared demonstrate a whole new way of learning. We as teachers cannot stop the world from developing, or stop Web 2.0 from advancing. But as teachers we can provide our students with the right resources to prepare them for what the world is in for. There is no point in keeping them under a rock, by this they will only have to develop the skills later (which adds on the pressure) so they should develop the basic skills on the computer as early as possible. Getting them motivated isn't always a challenge because they usually express interest with their computer at home.
Games and activities, such as the ones I have previously shared, allow the students to explore the many things the computer can do, and what the internet can provide. It also teaches them and allows them to get used to how to use a computer confidently. Any online activities that contain music, physical input (dragging and clicking), colour, and age appropriate themes and ideas behind it, will always keep them motivated. These kid friendly Websites are also very educational made fun, so they can practice the curriculum at the same time. Traditional teaching doesn't necessarily allow the students to move forward with the rest of the community and today's society. Some traditional teaching will never engage the students attention the way that a friendly children's educational Website does. Students can develop a whole new understanding of the different concepts they learn in traditional teaching, and it only expands their knowledge further in each and every topic.

References

Cifuentes, L., Sharp, A., Bulu, S., Benz, M., & Stough, L. (2009). Developing a Web 2.0-Based System with User-Authored Content for Community Use and Teacher Education. Education Tech Research Dev, 58(1), 377-398. 

Space Learning Object

Where would be a better place online to learn about space than NASA's very own Website itself?
On www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html it had an amazing amount of games and links to go through. It even contained different levels of skill the students can choose from, each providing different games and activities.
In this activity students just choose a spacecraft to learn interesting facts about it. These games are set for grades 3.

I chose the X-29

This activity tells you how old you would be on the various planets, after you enter your own age. 

I chose planet Ceres since it is newly discovered and I was surprised to see it already there apart of the program!

History Learning Object

It is difficult to find Websites that contain relevant and interesting information about history-especially for primary school students. But this learning object has a wide variety of history facts for students to keep them occupied! This site is purely interesting information about Greece, China, Rome, Egypt etc. The students can choose what history they would like to know about those countries (this varies from mythology, clothing, economy, food, literature, religion, sports and games, war and art.) Students can use this site for research for history projects. 

Spelling and Grammar Learning Object

This learning object from www.eduplace.com/ assists students with their spelling and grammar skills from prep to grade 8! There are different activities puzzles to solve that the students can choose from. They can even choose easier or more challenging levels within their grade's activity section.
These spelling and grammar activity examples were located in the grade 6 games. They are more challenging than they look, the print screen on my game shows nearly 3 minutes and I had only completed a few pairs!

Science Learning Object

This Learning Tool was an amazing find! It has the lot! It is very useful for both teachers and students. There are experiments, games, facts, quizzes, projects, lessons, images and videos on it! Students will never get bored on www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos.html .
Here are some examples of the games (for grade 3&4 students):

This activity teaches the students about living things and food chains. 

This activity teaches the students about micro-organisms. 

This is another example of an activity that teaches the students about health and the human body. 

If you click on the right magnifying glass, this fact screen pops up:

If you click on the left magnifying glass, this fact screen pops up:

Maths Learning Objects

I have dug deep and found some excellent websites (learning objects) for primary school students to use. They are all very educational and fun!
For Maths:
www.kidsnumbers.com is a maths learning objects that caters for students of all grades in primary school. Students just simply need to click on their grade and the activities and maths games will be at the right level. This activity example is located in the grade 2 section:

This one as about fractions, and I really thought it was both fun and educational. Even I kept on playing it trying to beat my own high score! It's very addictive! You have to solve the fraction problem to get more pies (the number on the left hand side) and you have to throw as many of those pies on the oven to get more time. It is very fast and very quick thinking is required, this game is selected for grade 3&4.

This activity is for grade 2 students. The student just has to click on the correct hand the question is describing. 

I found two clips on YouTube that I found very helpful which explains web2.0. Both of them have two very different ways of demonstrating it so I posted them both for viewers who may learn or understand things in different ways.