Using the internet in school

Wikipedia argument

Because 21st century learning is starting to be incorporated in the school systems, I believe teachers need to be more adaptive to the use of research through the internet. In order for students to gain a full understanding of what a topic means, they need to have the ability to reach and view several different sources. These sources can be found just about anywhere on the internet, including Wikipedia. Although the dominate claim is that Wikipedia is full of false information that is unreliable, it can't be knocked completely. Wikipedia was created with the intention of giving everybody access to information. It IS run by volunteers who post statistics and information about whatever topic is being brought up; however, Wikipedia has rules that every poster has to follow. The first rule is verifiability.... Users can't just post anything they want on the site. It must be reviewed by other users and come from a source that has also been reviewed and trusted. Each and every statistic and sentence that has been posted on Wikipedia has to be a proven fact before the other volunteers will allow it to be seen. If it isn't, the post will be taken down. According to The New York Times, Wikipedia has been one of the very few trusted sources for information on the Ebola outbreak. "Once the butt of jokes for being the site where visitors could find anything, true or not, Wikipedia in recent years has become a more trusted source of information — certainly for settling bar bets, but even for weighty topics like Ebola. "It is because Wikipedia is such a recognized brand — obviously the C.D.C. is still much more authoritative than we will ever be — that people will click on that link,” said Dr. Jacob de Wolff, 37, an internist at Northwick Park Hospital in London, who founded Wikiproject Medicine in 2004 and has seen it go from obscurity to mockery to acceptance. (New York Times, Oct. 26, 2014)." Teachers should also consider using Wikipedia over textbooks. Most of the textbooks that are created aren't always in the students best interest. According to Tamim Ansary, a former editor and author of the article A Textbook Example of What's Wrong With Education, "Most of these books fall far short of their important role in the educational scheme of things. They are processed into existence using the pulp of what already exists, rising like swamp things from the compost of the past. The mulch is turned and tended by many layers of editors who scrub it of anything possibly objectionable before it is fed into a government-run "adoption" system that provides mediocre material to students of all ages." With Wikipedia, students have access to the most updated information possible. Some textbooks are so old that most of the content doesn't apply anymore. Some teachers have already scrapped their textbooks. For example, Geoff Ruth, a grade level Chemistry teacher states, "While some textbooks are excellent, most bore my students and frustrate me. "Readability formulae" produce mind-numbing prose. Since textbooks are marketed nationally, they must comply with content standards for all states, resulting in ten-pound tomes that cover all topics superficially. Many promulgate scientific misconceptions or even outright errors."

Wikipedia vs Textbooks (Extended)

Step 7
I believe most of the article was taking the side of the Indians who were killed during the massacre.
 "There was a woman with an infant in her arms who was killed as she almost touched the flag of truce ... A mother was shot down with her infant; the child not knowing that its mother was dead was still nursing ... The women as they were fleeing with their babies were killed together, shot right through ... and after most all of them had been killed a cry was made that all those who were not killed or wounded should come forth and they would be safe. Little boys ... came out of their places of refuge, and as soon as they came in sight a number of soldiers surrounded them and butchered them there." However, one statement was kind of in defense of the soldiers. "I know the men did not aim deliberately and they were greatly excited. I don't believe they saw their sights. They fired rapidly but it seemed to me only a few seconds till there was not a living thing before us; warriors, squaws, children, ponies, and dogs ... went down before that unaimed fire."

Activity #4

“Wikipedia is a do-ocracy,” said Dr. James Heilman, an emergency room doctor from British Columbia, Canada, who leads the Wikiproject Medicine that keeps close watch on the most important public health articles, like Ebola Virus Disease. “Those who do the most, do have a greater influence.”

"The editors of Wikipedia’s Ebola page say they earned a place as one of those credible sources. To protect against misinformation, potential editors must suggest adds or changes to the article on a separately maintained page, where editors, frequently Dr. Heilman, review them and decide whether to incorporate them."

“A key group of us keep an eye on articles that have become more popular to make sure that Wikipedia’s most-read content is of a reasonably high standard,” Dr. Heilman said.







 

Wikipedia vs Textbooks

Three important ideas/things from the video today are: Because the world moves to fast, it is impossible for books that were written years or even months ago to stay relevant. That is why the internet is so helpful, Wikipedia was build by thousands of people and changes everyday, and Wikipedia's goal is to provide information to everybody in the world. However, the most important thing I learned today is that Wikipedia is run on two rules... the first is Verifiability, and the second is that all information must be presented fairly and without bias.   

Textbook of the Wounded Knee Massacre

Wikipedia article on the Wounded Knee Massacre

In the textbook version, the piece of history was told like a story. It highlighted the most important points of what happened and why, while the Wikipedia version was full of different facts of the history listed in before, during, and after information. It also had an introductory paragraph that was mostly highlighted in blue that served as links to support what had been written. I could also tell that the Wiki article was created by many different authors because every sentence or paragraph had a source that went with it.


Wikipedia:WikiProject Indigenous peoples of North America
 Scope
 - The 'Scope' section of the Wiki article is basically laying out what is going to be discussed on the page, or the main point.

"This project aims to encompass all historic, ethnic, and cultural aspects of the many groups collectively described as Indigenous peoples of North America, including Aboriginal peoples in Canada, Kalaallit of Greenland, Native Americans in the United States, and indigenous peoples of Mexico (parts of Mexico within the Mesoamerican culture areas are often excluded from North America)."

About our article
- This gives percentages and facts about who is working on the article and what they are doing. This also gives the reader access to the articles that haven't been assessed yet.

Metals of Honor
The people who are contributing to the article are talking about an issue with the opening sentence and what one source added on to it. Another source stated that the first source was right, however, the source that the source put into the article was wrong. Until it was fixed the second source took the sentence out of the article.
Step 5 - User:Sdgjake  "I attended college at SDSU in Brookings. While there, I majored in computer science, eventually getting my B.S.. During my summers I try to spend as much time as possible in the Black Hills.I spend most of my time editing South Dakota related articles." The author seem likes he or she knows a lot about writing articles and Indians. I would trust the author, especially when the author is being edited by other authors on the cite.
User:Piratedan "Bachelor of arts, 1991, Missouri Southern State University. Summa cum laude. Major: History.
Master of arts, 1997, George Mason University. Summa cum laude. Major: European history.
I can speak nonsense in both English and Spanish.
Encyclopedic knowledge of bad horror films." This guy doesn't give very much information about himself, other than he's married and likes writing short stories about pirates. I don't know if I would trust EVERYTHING written.
User:V8m8i - Military Historian, Colonel, US Army. There really isn't very mush personal information on this user... However, he is a Military Historian... So I guess that counts for something.

I'll Rise - Ben Harper

This song makes me feel relaxed and strong because the melody is very slow and soft, but the content it very motivating. I think this song is about victims standing up for themselves against enemies or hardships that they may face in this world. I think this song's lesson about diversity is powerful because the lyrics are about rising up and continuing forward even though other people try to knock you down. "You may write me down in history with your bitter twisted lies, You may trod me down in the very dirt and still like dust I'll rise."

A picture perfect sample of technology in the classroom!

Argumentative Essay

The personal computer is used to amplify human potential. It is an intellectual laboratory and vehicle for self-expression that allows each child to not only learn what we've always taught, perhaps with greater efficacy, efficiency or comprehension. The computer makes it possible for students to learn and do in ways unimaginable just a few years ago.

I completely agree with the statement, “The personal computer is used to amplify human potential.” In today’s growing technological world, the competition is high as professionals and their big business corporations race to achieve the next advancement for their country. Without the personal computer, individuals wouldn’t have sufficient enough time to achieve all of the things that they do within a day. That is why I think is it also important for schools to focus on the new 21st century learning skills that come with technology integrated into the student’s everyday learning.

Given that I feel technology should be incorporated into the school system, I also agree with the rest of the statement given above. Twenty, even ten years ago, children did not have the technological advancements at their fingertips as children today do. Some skeptics might suggest that all of this technology, such as gaming and texting is bad for the children's health and should not be used. Although everything should be used in moderation, technology provides students and even adults with the opportunity to explore deeper concepts of whatever interests them or strikes their attention. This opens up a whole new window of critical thinking and curiosity that students never had before. With technology, there is never an excuse to say “I don’t know how.”

As a kid growing up through a time where technology was just starting to be incorporated, I have been able to see both sides of the spectrum. I have taken pencil-paper tests, and I have also been apart of a group project that called for critical thinking and integrated use of internet research. From my experience, I was able to understand and keep that information with me for a longer period of time, whereas I have long forgot the definitions that I was required to remember on a test in the fourth grade.   

Students can always turn to the ever thriving internet to do research on the topic of interest. Technology also allows students to work collaboratively with their peers. With email, instant messaging, and texting, group work can be incorporated into the classroom in just about every subject. As future leaders of America, it is essential for this new generation to use technology so that they can advance into a twenty-first century workforce. The statement, “the computer makes it possible for students to learn and do in ways unimaginable just a few years ago,” is also very true. As I have said earlier, just a few years ago students did not have the advantages that students have today. Teachers need to use those advancements to make sure our new generation has the opportunity to achieve the full potential they deserve.    

Finished - 25:18.67

"Mercy Mercy Me" Song Analysis

 

I think this song is about how the world isn't what it used to be because of all the population waste that is distributed through out the earth's surface by man; for example, the ocean is full of oil that is killing the fish, radiation falls under the ground and in the sky, and the land is getting overcrowded with buildings and people. It makes me feel nervous because the song raises a lot of questions about what will happen to the earth when it can't take anymore pollution. I think the song's lesson about diversity is presented in a strong warning because in order to stop polluting the earth, everyone has to work together.  

 

"Everyday People" by Sly and The Family Stone

I think this song is about the importance of unity in mankind because we are all everyday people. Nobody is better or worse than the other. It makes me feel motivated to appreciate everyone around me because I don't want to end up like the people in the song who can't accept or appreciate the differences in people. I think this song is relevant today because in order to obtain peace and optimal success in the future this world, all of the everyday people are going to have to understand that 'everyday people' means EVERYONE, no matter where they come from or what they look like. This is especially important for teachers who will encounter a variety of students with different needs and endeavors.  

Learning Styles Don't Exist

I don't think that the multiple intelligence theory exists. However, I do believe that educators can use the idea of multiple intelligence to come up with new strategies on how to create different learning styles for students to use in the classroom. One size might not fit all, but teachers can't individualize every single lesson plan according to the student. That would be impractical. What teachers can do is practice multiple learning strategies so that students can expand their thinking in multiple ways. The more important thing to think about is that teachers are engaging their students in a wide variety of ways that require them to think critically and deeply about the materials covered in school. Some of these varieties could include social networks, using comments are word processing, graphing, web quests, skits, dances, plays, and Geotracking. These are just a few, many more can be incorporated into the classroom.       

Learning Styles Don't Exist

The Picasso Head reflects my strengths in nature, language, and body movement.  I am sensitive to nature and environment, and enjoy being out in the woods. According to the multiple intelligence quiz, I would enjoy taking hikes, working in a garden, or taking photographs of what is around me. I would also enjoy keeping a journal, reading, or telling stories because of my favor towards language. Writing on a mirror with lipstick, walking around while studying, or handling a Koosh ball or a worry stone during a study session would all help me with my strength in body movement.

Multiple Intelligence Quiz  

Howard Gardber's MI Theory

According to Howard Garner, schools are failing to meet the needs of diverse learners because the school system works toward the needs of more logistic thinkers. There are way too many materials and topics covered, and the way students present what they have learned is through an exam. This creates knowledge that is a mile wide and in inch thick. Most students only remember the information for the exam and then forget about it. In order for schools to fix this problem, they need to incorporate more independent thinking. Students should be able to make a hypothesis and work towards research with trial and error and questions that they come up with. They need to be given the time to think deeply about an idea, and work toward understanding it. There are many different ways of learning, just like there are many different ways to show that students are understanding the material they need to progress though life.

Learning Styles Don't Exist

learning style
visual learner
the brain doesn't work that way.. most people think of sounds and visuals in their minds.. some people have better visual pictures than others. But everybody needs to incorporate auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning.. its about teaching strategies. It depends on what you're teaching.. You need to provide your students with a variety of learning styles.
When you want people to learn something, they want you  to know the meaning... not the visual or sound of it.
its true that some people are better at some things and others, but teachers what students to learn based on meaning. if the theory is wrong, why does it seam so right? because 90% of people, not just teachers believe this theory.
the theory is that if a person is a visual learner, the teacher can explain and tell the student about what a triangle looks like instead of showing them... that would be difficult.

People can learn in different ways, and some people can learn things better in a certain way.. Teachers don't need to adjust their teaching styles to the different learning styles.

Multiple Intelligences

The student may have a good grade on the exam, but years later they don't know it. Their is nothing to hold onto.  But if a students works at something and analyzes it, researches, asks questions, makes up questions, and come back to analyze and really understand.. that's the thing that's doing to stick.

Human beings have multiple strengths
People have different types of thinking and our minds work in all different kinds of ways.

We cover way to much material and way to many topics.. its a mile wide and an inch deep.

exams and tests are mystified.. students don't know what's on it and when the teachers get the results back they don't know what to do with it. The education system needs to change so that students are being prepared in a task through trial and  error. students need to be able to go back and look and try again in order to gain a deeper understanding and get meaningful learning.

Games Can Make You Smart!

Our Brains on Video Games

I think that video games and learning go hand in hand when talking about 21st century learning. 21st century learning isn't necessarily about how many laptops you cant fit into a class room. It's about collaborative teamwork, problem solving, and developing the capability to think more deeply about the world around us. Video games give students the tools to do all of these things; for example, video games require a high level of concentration, multitasking skills, and critical thinking. Video games are also goal oriented. This gives students something fun to work towards. It gives them a purpose to keep coming back to learn. Right now, my brother is studying his multiplication tables. In order to remember them, he plays a game on his iPod that races toward a goal, and the only way to finish within the time frame is to answer all the questions correctly. This has really improved his memory. Research also shows that video games actually increase the brains gray matter, help eye sight, and improve concentration.

Your Brain on Video Games

While watching the second TED Talk called, "Your Brain on Video Games." The speaker's argument was that video games can be good for people. As a doctor that works in a lab, the speaker performed multiple research studies that has tested the effect video games have on people. She found that gamers usually have better eye sight, better concentration and tracking skills, and better multitasking skills. The speaker also addressed the counter argument by saying that video games should be used in moderation. Abusing technology can lead to health problems, just like anything else that is used to an extreme. The speaker also talked about how many adults and teachers think that children who can't sit still have attention deficit disorder, but really they just aren't being stimulated enough in school.  I know that when I don't have anything to do, I find myself playing little games on my phone to stay entertained, and I don't have ADD. I agree with the speaker on everything she said though out the TED Talk. She was a very effective at making her clam convincing.

I used to think... but now I think...

As I watched today's TED Talk about video games, the most prominent claim that the speaker made was that video games are awesome for kids. The speaker made this claim because video games increase the general cognitive skills through out the people who play, they have the capability to increase academic learning in school through collaborative thinking, and have actually increased grey matter in the brain. I still think that video games have a positive impact on kids. From personal experience, I use to play Super Mario Cart with my cousins at my grandma's house. One of the hardest things about the game was to stay balanced on the road while dodging other opponents, obstacles, and the attacks on your player. This kind of play is very stimulating and encourages team work depending on what kind of level you're on. Although I think that we should do everything in moderation, I agree with the speaker. Video games have the power to stimulate and help teach the new generations to come.

Video Games and the Impact

I think that video games can have a positive impact on our brains. Playing video games requires a high level of multitasking and critical thinking. They also teach people how to work toward a goal, kind of like how adults do in their job. However, every thing in moderation.

Argument Chart

Argument Chart