Can Students Use Wikipedia?

Wikipedia is a very useful resource. The information on it is not always accurate (although it usually is), but the site is an easy way to become familiar with a subject. Most pages begin with an easy-to-follow summary of the subjest. If a student is just beginning their research this could help[ immensly. Wikipedia can also offer other, more credible, resources. Here is a page describing the forces behind and the history of the Theory of Plate Tectonic.

SmartBoard NETS

THere are clear advantages to using SmartBoards in the classroom. As I said previoulsy SmartBoard Demonstration our group was able to demonstrate how this technology can be used to make ideas more concrete. We were able to use the boards to model an atom. Other groups showed that the boards could be used to clarify directions during an activity, such as a disection. The use of these boards meets ISTE standard 2. When creating a lesson employing a Smartboard a teacher is designing and developing digital-age learning experiences.

Microblogging- 21st Century Skills

Creating a microblog on a social networking site helps students develop several competencies from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. They learn to utilize the social networks to connect with other and share information. Its a simple step to go from sharing interesting facts about one's self through a social network to using the network to collaborate with others. Microblogging will also give the students an appreciation of the differences of others and diversity.

Digital Storytelling NETS

Students participating in the creation of a digital story are practicing multiple teaching standards. By using technology creatively to develop their story they meet standard 1. When they collaborate by continuing of critiquing each others stories they meet standard two. These students are experiencing first hand how technology facilitates the exchange of information and ideas.

Will My Students Use Wikipedia?

I will encourage my students to use Wikipedia. I understand that not everything on the site is 100% accurate, but Wikipedia provides well organized information and will make finding and sorting through resources easier. I will not allow them to use Wikipedia as a source in a bibliography but I will encourage my future students to use the site to locate credible sources.

Think Aloud

Virgle?

We have been discussing the importance of using credible sites. Our next assignment is to create a Think Aloud that explains how to analyze a site and determine its credibility. For my Think Aloud, I found a site that presents plans for a corporately funded Mars mission. More than that, it presents an entire outline for Mars colonization. At first glance the site appears credible. It is hosted by Google. The project is called Virgle, which comes from the company names Virgin and Google, the two companies funding the supposed mission. The site appears to be a genuine Google project, unfortunately (and much to the disappointment of all of us who were hoping companies would pick up where NASA left off when Obama cut the budget) the project does not exist. Google maintains the facade throughout the site offering only subtle hints (like Guitar Hero II skills as an application requirement). A link at the bottom of the Q&A page leads to a page not listed in the Virgle links where the hoax is finally revealed to be Google's annual April Fool's joke.

Virgle