Michele


 * 11/16/10**
 * Below is the link to the pathfinder which can be found on my Wiki I have created for school. Sorry the formatting is not accurrate; it is difficult to do a bibliographic format on a Wiki. Enjoy!!**
 * http://agassizmediacenter.wikispaces.com/American+Civil+War**

1. Are there any common strategies mentioned in the articles with regard to critical thinking skills? 2. Using the two articles, discuss the importance of using technology to teach tolerance, acceptance, and appreciation of other cultures. 3. Find evidence in the articles of how information literacy can be misconstrued by students.
 * 10/19/10**
 * After reading the two articles, I created 3 comparison questions:**

Wikipedia in the Classroom: Consensus Among Educators? by Andy Carvin
 * Name of article & author (if there is one)**

This is a blog from the above author about the use of Wikipedia in the classroom. Several people in the education field responded. I enjoyed reading what other teachers/librarians had to say. There was definitely a difference in opinion about Wikipedia.

I have always told students in my school NEVER to use Wikipedia because it was not credible. I never took into account that students could use Wikipedia as a starting point to get background knowledge of a subject; to use for preliminary information, not necessarily for research.
 * New information you learned from the article**

I knew that the use of Wikipedia in the classroom is a debate among educators!
 * Something(s) you already knew from the article**

I question the advise I have given to my students in class. I tend to agree with Todd Hoffman, who posted on the blog saying that there is no "One Size Fits All" in the way of researching. He stated "Given choice of topic, situation, sophistication and skills of user, information need, end product, there is alwasy going to be a range of resources available to choose from".
 * Something(s) that raised question(s) in your mind from the article**

I was shocked when I read that Encyclopedias also have been proven inaccurate!! When I was growing up, I had a set of the World Book Encyclopedia. I used it for all my reports! (I did not have the internet to cut and paste; so I had copied the information and tried to put it in my own words)! Little did I know that the information may have not been accurate!
 * WOW!!**

Interview with a Millenium
I asked four students who are in eighth grade at Agassiz Elementary School to complete the survey. I had them come into the Media Center and answer the questions on a Word document during their school day. I told them they did not have to write their names because I wanted truthful and thoughtful answers. Below, I posted the response of a boy who came to our school last year. I chose him because I thought his answers were the most insightful.

//What is your age:// 13 //What do you do for free time?// I usually read a book or play the piano but lately I have been watching TV. //What do you read? In school? On your own?// I read chapter books that have been recommended or seem interesting. //Where do you shop?// I shop at regular stores like K-Mart or Wal-Mart and even Gamestop. //What do you worry about?// I worry about succeeding in eighth grade. I wish to pass and make it into high school. //What do you do to relax?// I play the piano or read. Sometimes I will color pages from my brother's coloring book. It relaxes me and gets my mind going. //What games do you play?// I love war games and adventure type games. //What is the most significant thing that has happened to you in your life?// I started learning how to write in 5th grade. My teacher would teach my classmates and I new concepts in writing. By the beginning of sixth grade I was determined to be a better writer and the sixth grade teacher was teaching high school tactics. //What is your pet peeve about school? (I had to explain the term "pet peeve" to all the students who completed the survey)!// When teachers do unnecessary reviews. //What do you wish teachers would do differently?// I wish teachers would cover more in the time they have. //How do you get your information when you need to do research?// I go to dictionary.com and look for encyclopedias there. I aslo go to factmonster.com. //Do you use technology in school? How so?// We use a laptop and calculators in school. The computer is used for tests, looking up information, and completing essays. //How does this compare to the technology you use out of school?// Since I am a kid I use gaming systems. I also use the computer now to go online and complete homework there and to go on social networking sites.

Reflection:
I love what he said about how he relaxes!! I don't know many eighth grade boys who would answer they color to free their mind! I wonder if he answered these questions more openly because it was an anonymous survey. (I was actually watching them as they were answering questions in case they needed clarification on anything; not really anonymous)!

I am surprised about his response as to where he gets his information for research. Last year, I taught research skills in my class. I explicitly taught students to use databases and appropriate, credible websites. In class, he asked questions as to the reliability of the sites he was using. It is apparent that teaching how to research effectively needs to be taught often and in a meaningful way. One of the articles that I read from our resources in this class states that computer classes should not be taught in isolation. It should be imbedded in the content areas so it is more meaningful. (Eisenberg, Johnson, and Berkowitz Feb. 2010). I think that is a great idea!! This year I don't have to teach technolgy class as I did last year. Instead, I have time built into my schedule to work with classroom teachers to integrate technology into their curriculum. I hope that teachers will be open to this opportunity and not see it as a burden.