Search Engines
Search
engines, or searching programs, have become a popular tool when locating
resources and other items of information (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 219). Search engines produce a list of topics or
hits based on the user’s searching criteria.
As a teacher, learning to use search engines can aid in finding other
avenues for teaching a concept, creating lesson plans, or locating updated
materials. Students benefit from learning
how to use search engines, as well. The
amount of information that search engines can locate is exponentially large;
therefore, students can find reliable answers to any question, after evaluating
the websites’ content
Website Evaluation
Conducting
a website evaluation is imperative when looking for reliable content, because
there are, “some sites that are works of complete fiction presented as fact” (Roblyer
& Doering, 2012, p.255). Roblyer
& Doering (2012) highlight how no agency oversees the content within a webpage
or its quality, and anyone can create a webpage (p. 254). Because of this, blindly accepting any
information presented on the internet is, “a risky practice” (Roblyer &
Doering, 2012, p. 255). To reduce such
risks, I would teach my students to evaluate websites based on the procedures
in the video below.
Favorite Website #1
The University of Wisconsin Digital Collections (UWDC) webpage is an online library
of an infinite amount of resources.
Roblyer & Doering (2012) suggest that reliable websites should be
easy to navigate, and that larger sites should, “have their own built-in search
engine” (p. 255). UWDC adheres to these
characteristics, so I would encourage my social studies students to use this
open-source website.
Favorite Website #2
According
to Roblyer and Doering (2012), “Wikis are a collection of web pages located in
an online community that encourage collaboration and communication of ideas by
having users contribute or modify content” (p. 223). The embedded wiki is for a sixth grade social
studies class and similar to the one I might use in my classroom—like a flipped
classroom. The website is easy to
navigate and includes a search bar to locate content quickly.
http://dte6ss.wikispaces.com/Class+Notes+and+Assignments
References
GCSC Library (2013 February 12). Evaluating websites. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aem3JahbXfk
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
References
GCSC Library (2013 February 12). Evaluating websites. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aem3JahbXfk
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
I like the wiki page that you linked. Even though it is not on a subject I plan to teach, it can still be used for other subject areas. The layout of the lessons and units is easy to navigate. Roblyer and Doering (2012) stated, “Wikis encourage students to think collectively about a subject or event and conceptualize where their personal description or understanding or the concept fits into a larger structure of community-generated knowledge” (p.225). Every class could have their own link to the information they will need, then they can comment about it so that others can see what they need help with or something they can help with. Do wikis help with the interaction of students, in all grade levels, through their assigned classes? Does it make asking for help easier on the student?
ReplyDeleteIn reference to evaluating web content, Roeblyer & Doering (2013) stated,"It even had some sites that are works of complete fiction presented as fact. Students frequently accept as authoritative any information they find on the internet"(p.255). You stated that you would encourage your students to use the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections. Would you consider collaborating with the English department in your school (for research of Web resources) to find both good and bad sites to list in on your class's wiki page for the students. I think it would be very helpful when the students are assigned research projects and to use for everyday studying in preparation for tests.
ReplyDeleteGreat Wiki, going to add it to my diigo for future reference--looks like an ideal flipped classroom. Especially like the study guides, I am a sucker for making those and sharing them online. One issue I have with it, though, is that is has PDFs of the tests. Like the text alludes on page 216, copyright and plagiarism issues go hand-in-hand with Internet use. I feel that providing TOO many resources for students can have the potential to hurt more than it helps. What is your opinion on providing the tests for the students? Is it helpful or a crutch? (I love it when I am the student, FYI in full disclosure...)
ReplyDelete