For my class, we were instructed to go to several different sites on the web and evaluate them for credibility.
Save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
One of the first tip-offs that this site is not credible is the lack of author information. The site lists no names for the authors and only lists an obscure organization. Also, the host of the site is not an educational site. This site was created in 1998 and hasn't been updated since 2005.
The site is very deceiving because there are several links within the site that will take the user to find more information, and it is very user-friendly. However, many of these links will take the user to sites within the same host which decreases it's credibility.
If the reader did not already know, upon research of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus, we find out that this site was a hoax created to test Internet literacy. It was a very successful hoax, because the majority of the students in the experiment believed the content on the site.
Martin Luther King Jr. - A True Historical Examination
This site was much easier to deem not-credible than the first. The site had rap-lyrics on it's front page, which does not lend to credibility. Also, when clicking around the site for further information about the authors, it can be found that the site is hosted by a white-pride group. The site references articles in newspapers, but doesn't give any links or show the actual newspaper article. There is nothing on this site to give any indication that it would be a credible source of information.
All About Explorers
Again, this site appeared credible at first. However, upon closer examination it can be quickly ascertained that this site is another hoax. First, the content of the site is clearly not historically accurate. The site claims that Christopher Columbus used telephones and that Magellan named the Pacific Ocean after his daughter and was shot by an AK-47.
When looking at the link for the authors of the site, it can be found that the entire site was created by teachers to teach internet literacy.
Dihydrogen Monoxide Research DivisionThe first major tip-off that this site is not credible is that Dihydrogen Monoxide is a fancy way of saying "water." Also, the site is hosted by a blogging site, not an actual educational site. While it does provide links to accredited conservation sites, the linked sites are water conservation sites, which do not support the "claims" made by the site.
Overall, this was a very engaging assignment. I had a good time looking though these funny sites and assessing their credibility.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Creating a Public Service Announcement
Three of my classmates and I created a Public Service Announcement on Digital Citizenship called Enter if You Dare. After reviewing the Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship, we decided to focus on Digital Security.
Our group spent a considerable amount planning out our PSA. One of my personal strengths is organization and coordinating, so I set up a Google Doc where we could work on our ideas, write our storyboard, and discuss logistics and materials needed on our own time. I also set up a Doodle where we could set up a convenient time to film. Doodle is a wonderful site that I was introduced to this summer, and I use it all of the time now. I was fortunate to work with several creative minds, and together we created a great tagline and storyboard. The amount of planning we put in shines though in the final product.
Creating the PSA reminded me that I have to share the knowledge of Digital Security with my future students. Also, I think it would be fun to create skits with my future students. However, as an aspiring elementary school teacher, I doubt I would give the task of editing the PSA to my students. I think it would be fun and educational for them, however, to help act of skits and see their work on video with special effects. If I ever work with older students in the future, I would definitely consider having them create and edit their own videos. My group had a good time putting together our skit, so I can see it working at several grade levels.
Our group spent a considerable amount planning out our PSA. One of my personal strengths is organization and coordinating, so I set up a Google Doc where we could work on our ideas, write our storyboard, and discuss logistics and materials needed on our own time. I also set up a Doodle where we could set up a convenient time to film. Doodle is a wonderful site that I was introduced to this summer, and I use it all of the time now. I was fortunate to work with several creative minds, and together we created a great tagline and storyboard. The amount of planning we put in shines though in the final product.
Creating the PSA reminded me that I have to share the knowledge of Digital Security with my future students. Also, I think it would be fun to create skits with my future students. However, as an aspiring elementary school teacher, I doubt I would give the task of editing the PSA to my students. I think it would be fun and educational for them, however, to help act of skits and see their work on video with special effects. If I ever work with older students in the future, I would definitely consider having them create and edit their own videos. My group had a good time putting together our skit, so I can see it working at several grade levels.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Blogs Wikis Podcasts: Chapter 10 and Epilouge Reflection
The last assigned reading out of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts was the final chapter titled "What It All Means" as well as the epilogue.
The final chapter was a good summary of the book. It focused on the "Big Shifts" in how to teach students based on all of the new technology and sites on the web out there today. Seeing the ten big shifts in education was interesting and changed the way that I'll think about teaching my future classroom. For example, as a teacher I will look at teaching as more of a conversation than a lecture (Big Shift #4).
I thought the epilogue was a nice way to close out the book. Going through 45 minutes as an average teacher, it showed how much technology that the teacher uses on a regular basis. It reminded me of how much, as educators, we use technology in a short period of time.
My overall opinion on the book is that there were chapters that were interesting to read, yet there were several others that were not. It is difficult to apply all uses of technology to all of the content areas. I definitely learned some new ideas about Flikr and blogging that I feel confident about using in an elementary school classroom. However, some of the other chapters, such as the one on social networking, I have difficulty believing that I will use in my future classroom. The difficulty with printed books about technology is that they are outdated as soon as they come off the press. I appreciate being able to read a textbook, however, I also appreciated having supplementary videos and readings online while reading this particular textbook.
The final chapter was a good summary of the book. It focused on the "Big Shifts" in how to teach students based on all of the new technology and sites on the web out there today. Seeing the ten big shifts in education was interesting and changed the way that I'll think about teaching my future classroom. For example, as a teacher I will look at teaching as more of a conversation than a lecture (Big Shift #4).
I thought the epilogue was a nice way to close out the book. Going through 45 minutes as an average teacher, it showed how much technology that the teacher uses on a regular basis. It reminded me of how much, as educators, we use technology in a short period of time.
My overall opinion on the book is that there were chapters that were interesting to read, yet there were several others that were not. It is difficult to apply all uses of technology to all of the content areas. I definitely learned some new ideas about Flikr and blogging that I feel confident about using in an elementary school classroom. However, some of the other chapters, such as the one on social networking, I have difficulty believing that I will use in my future classroom. The difficulty with printed books about technology is that they are outdated as soon as they come off the press. I appreciate being able to read a textbook, however, I also appreciated having supplementary videos and readings online while reading this particular textbook.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Creating a Screencast
We are studying Cool Technology Tools in class this week. For this unit, each person in the class chooses one Cool Tool, writes a SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) analysis about the tool, and then creates a screencast discussing the analysis. I signed up very early and chose Twitter as my Cool Tool.
I had a surprisingly good time creating my screencast. I thought it would be daunting at first, but I enjoyed researching Twitter's strengths and weaknesses. The part that was most difficult was that I had to record my screencast several times because I would tend to stumble over my words and make mistakes. It was very frustrating! After about 3 or 4 tries, I got myself down to minimal errors and then posted the final product.
I learned that screencasts themselves are great ways to instruct others about how to do something on the internet without actually being there to show them. This is why the majority of instructional videos on youtube are in the form of screencasts. They also provides a great visual versus a podcast, which is strictly audio. By using screencasts, not only could I instruct my students about certain tools and websites, but parents would also have the opportunity to be informed. The only complication would be that the students and parents would all need to have internet access in order to view the screencasts.
My screencast of Twitter can be located here: Twitter Screencast
I had a surprisingly good time creating my screencast. I thought it would be daunting at first, but I enjoyed researching Twitter's strengths and weaknesses. The part that was most difficult was that I had to record my screencast several times because I would tend to stumble over my words and make mistakes. It was very frustrating! After about 3 or 4 tries, I got myself down to minimal errors and then posted the final product.
I learned that screencasts themselves are great ways to instruct others about how to do something on the internet without actually being there to show them. This is why the majority of instructional videos on youtube are in the form of screencasts. They also provides a great visual versus a podcast, which is strictly audio. By using screencasts, not only could I instruct my students about certain tools and websites, but parents would also have the opportunity to be informed. The only complication would be that the students and parents would all need to have internet access in order to view the screencasts.
My screencast of Twitter can be located here: Twitter Screencast
Digital Nation: Reflection
A few weeks ago, I watched the video documentary called Growing Up Online which was about multitasking and technology in schools. Frontline created a follow-up to this documentary titled Digital Nation.
The documentary was very interesting. It focused not only on the children that have grown up with the information overload of this century, but also on the adults that are currently learning to adapt to all of the new technology of today. The chapter titled "South Korea's Gaming Craze" was eye-opening. It is difficult to believe that as a society we have gotten to the point where chronic gaming is now a health-crisis. Not only do student just social network, but the internet is where they create relationships and live virutal lives in virtual worlds on sites such as Second Life. For students, the internet is a way of life.
As a teacher I will have to be aware that students will need to be stimulated in the classroom at a level that they haven't before. Even though my students will claim that they are great multi-taskers, I know that science will back me up when I disagree. It will be a challenge to teach students that are used to having the entire world literally at their fingertips. However, as discussed in the chapter titled "Distracted by Everything," the performance of students goes down once multitasking and distractions start to pile up. It's important as teachers that we find the balance between integrating technology into our classrooms and permitting information-overload.
The documentary was very interesting. It focused not only on the children that have grown up with the information overload of this century, but also on the adults that are currently learning to adapt to all of the new technology of today. The chapter titled "South Korea's Gaming Craze" was eye-opening. It is difficult to believe that as a society we have gotten to the point where chronic gaming is now a health-crisis. Not only do student just social network, but the internet is where they create relationships and live virutal lives in virtual worlds on sites such as Second Life. For students, the internet is a way of life.
As a teacher I will have to be aware that students will need to be stimulated in the classroom at a level that they haven't before. Even though my students will claim that they are great multi-taskers, I know that science will back me up when I disagree. It will be a challenge to teach students that are used to having the entire world literally at their fingertips. However, as discussed in the chapter titled "Distracted by Everything," the performance of students goes down once multitasking and distractions start to pile up. It's important as teachers that we find the balance between integrating technology into our classrooms and permitting information-overload.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts: Chapters 7, 9 Reflection
In the text Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts Chapter 7 discussed Flikr and Chapter 9 discussed social networking sites such as Facebook and Ning.
I had never thought about using social sites in my classroom. The idea of using Facebook in the classroom had never crossed my mind. These chapters definitely altered my opinion on this subject. For older students, Facebook could be a great way to engage students. As a future elementary school teacher, I still doubt I will use many social networking sites. However, they could be educational for older students.
As a teacher I will use online photo sharing in my classroom. A genius idea I found in the book was finding photos online that students could write about. This would be a great way to write short fiction stories or even haikus in my classroom. I still don't think that I will use Facebook in my classroom, but this book was the very first time I had ever been told that I don't need to delete my Facebook account in order to be an educator.
I had never thought about using social sites in my classroom. The idea of using Facebook in the classroom had never crossed my mind. These chapters definitely altered my opinion on this subject. For older students, Facebook could be a great way to engage students. As a future elementary school teacher, I still doubt I will use many social networking sites. However, they could be educational for older students.
As a teacher I will use online photo sharing in my classroom. A genius idea I found in the book was finding photos online that students could write about. This would be a great way to write short fiction stories or even haikus in my classroom. I still don't think that I will use Facebook in my classroom, but this book was the very first time I had ever been told that I don't need to delete my Facebook account in order to be an educator.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Creating a Podcast
Jenny and I created a podcast over the weekend based on an article that we found on the web titled "Flipped Classrooms Still Finding Their Way." The article is about the idea of "flipping" a classroom and the positive ways it can impact a classroom as well as some challenges that teachers face implementing this new strategy.
The actual writing of the script and recording of the podcast did not take a lot of time. I had expected the project to endure several hours, but really the bulk of the work can be completed in well under an hour. The part of the process that takes the longest is editing.
I can see how this would be a fun way to engage my future students. I wouldn't have my primary school students tackle such a serious topic as the one that Jenny and I discussed. I would include jokes, funny sound effects, and crazy music. This is a great way for young students to get creative while learning.
The actual writing of the script and recording of the podcast did not take a lot of time. I had expected the project to endure several hours, but really the bulk of the work can be completed in well under an hour. The part of the process that takes the longest is editing.
I can see how this would be a fun way to engage my future students. I wouldn't have my primary school students tackle such a serious topic as the one that Jenny and I discussed. I would include jokes, funny sound effects, and crazy music. This is a great way for young students to get creative while learning.
Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts: Chapter 8 Reflection
In the text Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, the eighth chapter is about Podcasting, Video and Screencasting, and Live Streaming.
This reading impacted my thinking about technology's role in education. Until this class, I had never listened to a podcast. Sure, I'd heard of them, but I never bothered exploring them. Now I realize how useful they can be in the education field. I've enjoyed the the live streams of my favorite authors and musicians, but I've never thought about how they could impact a classroom.
As a teacher I will have my students create podcasts because they are a great way to show off student knowledge in a fun and interesting way. I also like the idea of screen casting to better explain concepts to parents and children. So many people are visual learners, so screencasting is a great way to explain a concept in contrast to written notes or a youtube video.
This reading impacted my thinking about technology's role in education. Until this class, I had never listened to a podcast. Sure, I'd heard of them, but I never bothered exploring them. Now I realize how useful they can be in the education field. I've enjoyed the the live streams of my favorite authors and musicians, but I've never thought about how they could impact a classroom.
As a teacher I will have my students create podcasts because they are a great way to show off student knowledge in a fun and interesting way. I also like the idea of screen casting to better explain concepts to parents and children. So many people are visual learners, so screencasting is a great way to explain a concept in contrast to written notes or a youtube video.
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