Welcome to 7215X - Technology in Education!
Over the next few weeks, we will explore several educational software and online programs that you can easily integrate into your teaching and learning. We will look at many free Web 2.0 tools that can be used to communicate and collaborate within your building as well as globally. As we prepare our children for a world of work which will be greatly different from the one we currently know, we must also prepare ourselves to change the way we teach so that it reflects best practices, offers differentiated instruction and allows for the seamless integration of technology.
This article related to my past experiences. When I first began doing research in elementary school, the internet was still considered “modern technology” for the average home. I was asked to find information on an animal for a research paper. Similarly to Zack from the article, I could not dicern a factual website from any other website online. I ended up adding false information into my essay, from .com sites I had found online. 20 years later, my stuednts are still making the same mistake. With no technology teacher in our school to teach them how to find information online, they often rely on Wikipedia, and ask.com for facts.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first began reading this article I was thinking “well in my school we don’t have to worry about students accessing unsafe information because we have so many firewalls and limitations set up, that we can barely open our email.” But as I read further, the article opened my eyes to the problem with this method. We are not teaching our students to watch their own internet safety. We are not educating them on how to find safe websites, and factual information online. We are doing an injustice to our students by not giving them computer knowledge that they will need in the future. At home or in their future schools, there may not be firewalls and protections when they are looking for information. Our students will never be computer literate, or technology savvy if we do not provide instruction on how to use technology. It is easy for educators to say “we incorporate technology in our schools.” However we are not truly teaching students how to use the technology they see teachers using in lessons. As educators we need to rethink how we have our students research purposefully, collaborate and share ideas, and make sense of information.
Donald...web literacy!
ReplyDeleteZack's experience is a sad example of his and our lack of web literacy. Zack's encounter is a reminder of another aspect of technological lag in our school system. The authors blame NCLB and web filtering as the forces behind lack of web literacy to which I disagree. I see it as an out of step political and educational leadership establishment. The establishment tends to be older heads and is usually grounded in at least the recent past- that is way to long in terms of exponential technology growth and more importantly in term of the technological needs of our young learners.
The article suggests that we can achieve web literacy if we do purposeful search, effective organization and collaboration, and sharing and making sense of information. These three so called pillars of web literacy are guidelines as to how we can all, including our young learners, effectively and safely tap into the vast resource the internet offers. Done this way, research can be scholarly, immediate, subject to intellectual scrutiny and feedback, and be a totally collaborative- all processes that took many years but now is a click away- just ask anyone currently going a thesis!
The twitter piece was very interesting to me as I was never able to accept twitter as anything but shallow and unintellectual, and not to mention issues of privacy. But the author has made a great case on the importance of twitter in research and in collaborating with intellectual peers. I will surely use twitter now and I will definitely have my students use it- if they aren't already doing so!
I find the information in the article noteworthy. We cannot trust everything that we read on the internet. There is so much information on the web, but we have to learn how to access and organize the information. Many students own or have access to digital tools, but do not understand how to evaluate and analyze the information on the web using the digital technology. Teachers and parents can teach children some of what they need to be truly digitally literate, using the many free online resources available for teaching the necessary skills. These online resources are tools that you can use to evaluate and validate information.
ReplyDeleteThe internet has many valuable tools that children can use for their academic life. However, when searching for information, students must make sure they put in the correct words, because one miss keystroke can open up a whole new world to them. That's why it's important to be aware of what your kids see and hear on the internet, who they meet and what information they share about themselves online. Therefore, it is wise for schools to teach internet safety, and for parents to talk to their children about internet safety issues, and monitor children’s activities when they are on the internet.
This article touched on the topic of web literacy. It's funny because we were discussing this same topic in class recently. I actually didn't realize how web illiterate I was, with that being said I definitely believe it's important for our students to posses computer literacy skills. The article explained a situation with a student who completed a research project and believed his resources were credible, when they actual weren't. He went to a website that he believed was trustworthy not realizing that within the web address there was this symbol, ~ which is meant as a personal webpage. These mishap I am sure has happened to many people, including teachers.
ReplyDeleteThe article also made a stance on social networks being banned in schools. The author stated, while students are blocked at school from these sites they're still accessing them outside of school. I am a bit torn about this idea of unblocking social websites, mainly because of the misuse, not limited to bullying and things unrelated to education. On the other hand, I am sure using these websites will serve as great engagement for lessons. I think I would use Facebook or Twitter as an outside of school resource for homework help, and other school discussion. As I've stated in previous post, technology is great, however we have to filter out the negatives to make blended learning best.
This article touched on the topic of web literacy. It's funny because we were discussing this same topic in class recently. I actually didn't realize how web illiterate I was, with that being said I definitely believe it's important for our students to posses computer literacy skills. The article explained a situation with a student who completed a research project and believed his resources were credible, when they actual weren't. He went to a website that he believed was trustworthy not realizing that within the web address there was this symbol, ~ which is meant as a personal webpage. These mishap I am sure has happened to many people, including teachers.
ReplyDeleteThe article also made a stance on social networks being banned in schools. The author stated, while students are blocked at school from these sites they're still accessing them outside of school. I am a bit torn about this idea of unblocking social websites, mainly because of the misuse, not limited to bullying and things unrelated to education. On the other hand, I am sure using these websites will serve as great engagement for lessons. I think I would use Facebook or Twitter as an outside of school resource for homework help, and other school discussion. As I've stated in previous post, technology is great, however we have to filter out the negatives to make blended learning best.
The article indicated at the beginning that web illiteracy have grown since NCLB, as teachers focus on teaching what is being tested. I am sure when the NCLB was being passed that the aim was to have all students functioning at their highest potential by having administrators and teachers molding them to become well-rounded individuals. As teachers, we will have to be flexible and learn how to include lifetime lessons such as web literacy in our everyday class and not just teach to test. Based on the article,the Common Core state standards requires that students be able to manage web-based information. The onus is therefore on us to make our students web literate as we integrate technology in our lessons.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, though administrations have a responsibility to ensure that their schools protect students online using the best means possible,I agree with the article in "teaching students how to deal with odious content, ethics and critical thinking skills that go along with social media sites". The schools which do not allow the use of social media for research and which have become comfortable because of their web filtering policies may end up denying their students of gaining rich, current and useful information.
The second focus of the article was enriching as it examined the importance of " effective organisation and colaboration" as one of the "3 pillars of modern-day web literacy".I was not aware of the research tool Diigo and based on its features, I like that the "libraries follow students class to class and from year to year". Using Diigo and Twitter as research tools will definately be another arena for me to explore.
ReplyDeleteThis article taught me the importance of web literacy. Right now we are learning how important it is to have knowledge of the web. Everyday I am shocked and a little embarrassed by the things that I don't know. The story about Zack was very sad. If someone had taught him how to do research online he probably wouldn't have ended up in this situation. I am sure this happens to many people, having the knowledge might help.
I do agree with banning social media. Some students just aren't mature enough to handle those sites. Some students bully and post things they should not. I believe if we want to talk to each other and interact, blogs are enough.
In connection with the article, I do agree that many schools are not teaching web literacy. Some teachers and students are still illiterate about the web. Schools need to teach all students skills that would foster higher - order thinking in this technological age. Students should be prepared to understand the vast amount of information at their fingertips.
ReplyDeleteWeb literacy enables students to browse the web to retrieve information pertaining to various topics, complete assignments, and keep abreast with what is happening throughout the world. Students are also able to learn various skills and techniques by accessing various tools on the web. In this technological age, all students and teachers should be computer savvy and web literate.
Like any other subject area, web literacy is essential for anyone to be competent in the use of technology. It is greatly important for student to be aware of the fact that not all information on the internet is credible. Therefore they need to have the knowledge of how to search and access information for research. Knowledge of how to save websites for future use can save valuable time. While our students are advance in the use of technology, the onus is on the teacher to ensure their students are equipped with the mechanics to navigate the web wisely. The article points out that for effective collaboration and organization students need to know Diigo. This website will help them to properly bookmark data and images. Web literacy is essential for effective use of the internet.
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ReplyDeleteThis article enlightened me not only the safety of Internet use but also the wise of doing research on the Internet. We may sometimes rely on informational websites such as Wikipedia, Youtube when it comes to terms or unknown situation. However, these websites are served as blogs that people can edit upon their posts. We all have freedom to express our feeling, share ideas and how-to videos on our blogs. Therefore, in my personal opinion, I would use these informational websites as for reference. When I need to do research project, I would use school library as the primary source.
ReplyDeleteIn term of signing up social network accounts for children, I totally disagree with this idea. Because it's not necessary for children to be social media wise when they are in young age and learning stage. Teacher can create a class blog and chatroom for students to comment and discuss on when it's needed. It's not safe for children to use network sites without guardian and it's hard for them to manage. Communication in real life is good enough.
This article shed light on the importance of web literacy.Web literacy is very essential as not all the information available through internet resources is reliable.effective organization and collaboration, sharing and purposeful search is definitely the three pillars of modern day web literacy. I believe Sharing is really important for the advancement of technology. WE should definitely teach our students about how to access the reliable information through internet, as there is lot of bully and cyber threats.
ReplyDeleteHowever, social networking for the children is debatable topic.Using Social medias at young age can distract them from their academic goals.
This article shed light on the importance of web literacy.Web literacy is very essential as not all the information available through internet resources is reliable.effective organization and collaboration, sharing and purposeful search is definitely the three pillars of modern day web literacy. I believe Sharing is really important for the advancement of technology. WE should definitely teach our students about how to access the reliable information through internet, as there is lot of bully and cyber threats.
ReplyDeleteHowever, social networking for the children is debatable topic.Using Social medias at young age can distract them from their academic goals.
"Zack's" experience happens all to often in schools. Students are not taught how to research a topic and find and use the information correctly and appropriately. Web literacy should be a required course for students beginning in the younger grades. As a third grade teacher, I have my students complete research projects in class and then continue the ending at home, and I find that they mainly copy and paste whatever information they find on the internet and put together their project. Students should be taught how to look up information using reliable resources, and be able to cite that information within their research.
ReplyDeleteDigital literacy is an important skill in today’s digital society, schools should be teaching IT at every grade level. The teachers themselves should be proficient in the basics of technology so they can show how to use the devices properly and in the most respectful way possible. I do see the negative side of social media and digital bullying but not everyone is like that. With proper training in the IT world every child will be ready for the real world and the jobs they may obtain when they Graduate and have to use Microsoft office, or research engines when they have to look up certain clients information or find materials or supplies for future reference. Seminars should be put together for teachers so they can learn more about devices and programs because every teacher should be the most open minded student themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis article makes several interesting points. Although we are very tech savvy world today, we need to teach our students how to appropriately use the World Wide Web when doing research so that their research has purpose and meaning. Although our students are using the Internet all the time, that does not mean that they know how to properly use it, especially when doing research and citing resources.
ReplyDeleteInternet research isn't just about finding information and copying it down, it's about searching for the right information, gathering, organizing and collecting information you found, and understanding what the information is giving you. The article mentions a great social bookmarking tool called Diigo to help students with researching. The article also mentions social networking sites to help students with research as well. Teachers must teach students the three pillars of research which, include purposeful search, effective organization and collaboration, and sharing and making sense of information. These three key ingredients to research will effectively help students find meaningful research they can use and understand. The web is full of information; the best way to help students get through this information is by teaching them how to navigate around it.