Question due Nov. 10

1.      If you are information literate it means that you have knowledge of new information and technology and the useful ways to apply them. The trouble I find is that there is so much new technology and it is forever changing that it is hard to keep up with and stay literate. I myself would define a person who is information literate as someone who puts forth his or her best effort in order to stay aware of new information. This person is willing to learn new technology whether for their own personal use or in application of their careers. This person is also willing to share the new information they have learned with others and it always trying to find ways to incorporate new things. In a nut shell this person is Barbara!

2.      When teachers begin having students find and use information for the internet they have to be sure to work with the students to understand the accuracy of information. Students can easily be misled into thinking that everything that is on the internet is true, there are even many adults who fall into this trap. Teachers need to spend time working with students explaining what to look for on websites to make them valid, including looking at publishing date, who the author is, and who is sponsoring the website where the information is found. Even then however students have to be aware that checking multiple sources is the best way to cross reference information and check the validity. Students also need to be aware of sites like Wikipedia where anyone can post information. Not everything on Wikipedia is false but students need to recognize where information is coming from.

3.      The similarities between the four instructional strategies are that they all require students to research using the internet. The major differences are the focus of the research and the manner the internet is used. When students are using an internet workshop model they are gathering information about a certain topic on the internet, then they are sharing and comparing their information with people who were researching the same topic. When students are using an internet project model they are working with classes that are in a different location but working to solve the same problem. Possible a class in Sterling is working with a class in Stonington to research ways to reduce trash at their schools. When students are using an internet inquiry model what students are researching is driven by what they want to know. Possible a class is researching WWII but some students are researching Japans role in the war while others are researching the war effort at home because this is what students want to learn about. Finally when students are using a Webquest model they are using a specific webquest site and following the directions set by the teacher. Maybe they have to follow links and answer certain questions or watch a video.

Question due Nov. 17

Week 3

1.      Now that we have unlimited capabilities to share and celebrate student work we need to take advantage of them. The first step to doing this is simply to start celebrating student work and achievements. We need to take the time to make a big deal about students doing well and putting in their best effort. With the development of all our new technologies we have had many doors opened to us in order to share and praise student work. Celebrations on student work no longer has to be contained to the classroom, we are able to share it with the outside community in multiple ways. Parents and other family members can now have a chance to see all sorts of students work on display through the use of the internet. I think the best way to share this work is to create a safe place where students and parents feel comfortable sharing their work. Students would be able to publish not only finished pieces but also work that was in progress. They could receive feedback on their work as they are working on it! Parents would have a chance to see not only what their student is doing but what the class is doing as a community. It would also give students a chance to share with relatives who live far away or parents they don’t live with.

2.      There are many ways to helps students create authentic work and relationships with the global community thanks to various technologies available. If teachers are willing to take the time to reach out to the global community themselves and learn some of the newer technology available there is no end to what students can use. One of the most basic ways to create relationship is to establish pen pals. Instead of writing letters back and forth to each other however students have the opportunity to speak to and see their pen pals through the use of Skype. Pen pals would also be able to work on projects together, read books together, have discussions on current events by using blogs, wikis, and various other discussion forums. Students also have greater opportunity to apply what they are learning to the real world. If students are learning about ancient Egypt they can watch real time videos of an archaeological dig or Skype with an archaeologist. Gone are the days of students simply reading about things in a text book. We now have the opportunity to transform how students learn we merely need to take advantage of it (November).

3.      If every teacher were to have a website, the most efficient way for them to share best practice would be through a blog. A blog gives teachers a chance to interact instead of just post information. Teachers would have a chance to interact with parents, allowing them to ask questions and get answers in a timely manner. Teachers can interact with students, posing question to be answered either in a short period of time or for students to think about over an extended period of time. Blogs also give teachers a chance to communicate with other teachers. They can get feedback on lesson ideas, and create relationships with teachers all over the world (November).

Digital Story Reflection

What would you do differently if you could do it all over again. Are these changes based on feedback from your peers?

If and when I create another digital story I would make sure to include narrative in my story. However I thought there were many stories shared at class that did not have narrative that were amazing! I think the use of narrative versus music or something other sound has a lot to do with the purpose of your story. Sometimes voice takes away from the visual aspects of the story.

How would you implement a digital storytelling project in your class? Do you or will you have the resources, time and skills necessary to include such a project in your classroom?

I am really excited to give my students a chance to create a digital story in class. I think they would be highly engaged in an activity like this and do very well with it. I would like them to use digital storytelling to showcase one of their expository pieces as we create more and more throughout the year. The problem I would encounter would be a lack of resources. I feel the best way to introduce a digital story or any new technology is in the computer lab where students are able to see me model the use of the technology and receive explicit instruction, then have the chance to experiment on their own with me giving guidance. We only have one computer lab in our school, the use of the room is dominated by computer class so I would be hard pressed to find time to bring my entire class there and have a chunk of time to work through the steps of the story. I would not want them to have questions about the process and not have a chance to show them each step and let them know my expectations. I may think about introducing digital storytelling in steps and having them chose a piece to showcase at the end of the year.

Did you learn anything new from the process?

I learned a new instructional strategy and well as a way for my students to show their work. I am excited for this because it will be a way for my student who struggle with pencil and paper writing to show what that can achieve.

What did you like most/least about the project?

I really enjoyed the project and think that digital storytelling can be incredible useful in the classroom. I think the way it was presented to us left much to be desired.

week 1 questions

1.       A weblog is a blog that allows teachers to communicate with students and parents more effectively. Weblogs can be used in a variety of ways including posting assignments, storing handouts and creating a discussion forum for students. Weblogs can be created by using class portals, e-portfolios, collaborative space and used as a classroom website. Weblogs can be used to enhance learning because it gives teachers a chance to have all the information in one place that students can access at home or at school. It also allows for parent to have more of an open door as to what is happening in the classroom and what their students need. I feel as though Weblogs have been used at university level for the past decade and teachers are now starting to see how these resources can be used at any level. (Richardson)

2.       The new literacies include students being able to identify important questions, navigate, critically evaluate, synthesize, and communicate using technology and web sources. I would have to say that calling these new literacies makes it sound like we are teaching our students to do something new when in reality we are teaching them how to apply what they already do to a new area. These are skills that our students develop thought the course of their education, except that part of our job as teachers is to show them how to use them when we are looking at web sources or looking up information or using technology to create different projects. This is very important for our students because the older they become the more they will use these different technologies and need to be able to navigate through all of the information.  

3.       Our school does not have a policy that specifically talks about posting students work online. However we do have parents sign a release at the start of the year that allows students to use the computers and technologies. Students are expected to use the internet in appropriate manners and within the same rules of school. It is also mentions in our handbook that part of our role as educators is to help students be prepared for the ever increasing technologically savvy society.