Thursday, February 9, 2012
What to use for research presentations?
We have just begun a variety of research projects at one of my schools. We were planning to use PowerPoint presentations for the finial product, but after our usergroup meeting this week, I have been rethinking this. Photo Story 3 with it's simple instructions and "next" button that basically leads users by the hand through the program seems to be a better choice. My first and second grade students may do better with this the first time around. The classes are excited about the whole project. We are taking it bit by bit, there is a lot of scaffolding that needs to happen as we go along. What fun!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Why are Wikipedia, Cheezburger, Redd.it and others blacked out today?
Today many web services are blacked out to protest two bills before the House and the Senate. (See Google's infographic). If you are interested in finding out more, the BBC has an informative article showing both sides of the issue. Or, if you want to know more about the opposition to SOPA and PIPA, you can watch the TED talk.
Why do the SOPA and PIPA legislation matter to us in eduction? While the intent of protecting free enterprise and restircting piracy is driving this legislation, the SOPA regulations would require ISPs to regulate internet traffic and restrict access to any site that might promote piracy (such as YouTube, TeacherTube, Google Images, Wikipedia). The fear is that this address restriction would be more harmful than helpful and would lead to a China-style internet firewall.
Whether or not the legislation passes, it is a call for us as educators to teach the ethical use of information online and to model it as well. Just because something is out there, doesn't mean we can copy it freely. We need to teach others how to create information in an online environment, how to use information that we find online, and how to remix that information into a unique product.
Why do the SOPA and PIPA legislation matter to us in eduction? While the intent of protecting free enterprise and restircting piracy is driving this legislation, the SOPA regulations would require ISPs to regulate internet traffic and restrict access to any site that might promote piracy (such as YouTube, TeacherTube, Google Images, Wikipedia). The fear is that this address restriction would be more harmful than helpful and would lead to a China-style internet firewall.
Whether or not the legislation passes, it is a call for us as educators to teach the ethical use of information online and to model it as well. Just because something is out there, doesn't mean we can copy it freely. We need to teach others how to create information in an online environment, how to use information that we find online, and how to remix that information into a unique product.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Not everything on the Internet is useful...
I know, it's 2011 and we still have to reiterate that not everything on the Internet is useful. But, there it is. Not everything on the Internet is useful. This week, I've been helping first and second graders finding information online (assigned by their teachers), and after scrolling through 20+ pages of web results, gave up in frustration over a couple of animals. This helped me to remember that we need to reiterate a few research rules when assigning classroom projects:
1.) Always pre-research to know what your children are going to find.
2.) Discuss with your librarian a menu of options before assigning animals so that you know what they are going to find.
3.) Make a research note template with your kids first to help them organize their information.
4.) Be aware that information online is written with adults in mind and younger children will need support.
5.) Many elementary school children lack even basic internet search skills. Help them out by setting up a curation tool such as livebinder or sqworl or limit their searching to an online encyclopedia like factmonster.Remember, your librarian wants to help you out with research, so let him/her. It'll save you some time too.
1.) Always pre-research to know what your children are going to find.
2.) Discuss with your librarian a menu of options before assigning animals so that you know what they are going to find.
3.) Make a research note template with your kids first to help them organize their information.
4.) Be aware that information online is written with adults in mind and younger children will need support.
5.) Many elementary school children lack even basic internet search skills. Help them out by setting up a curation tool such as livebinder or sqworl or limit their searching to an online encyclopedia like factmonster.Remember, your librarian wants to help you out with research, so let him/her. It'll save you some time too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)