Real Blog # 8

Hi Class! I just realized that I have been misnumbering this whole time! I haven't been able to have a moment of resting time as my life is extremely busy right now! But anyways, the theme of this weeks blog is regarding what is a Webquest! I read about four articles on this subject and was still a little confused. Here's my best thoughts on a webquest. I think a webquest is a lesson plan on computers. I related it a little bit to the filamentality worksheet that we need to submit by next week. From what I gathered webquest is a site on the internet where students go, they are introduced to a subject, given an introduction and then asked to solve a problem by searching through relevant subjects. This is not a simple fact finding assignment. It's assignment a little bit like a research project, students are to use the resources (websites) to come to a solution to the problem. They should be able to support their solution using facts from the sites that they were given to look at. It's an assignment that gives each student in the class a task. It's not independent work. It utilizes time well and gets every student and every computer to work. This assignment is good for students to develop critical thinking. It goes way beyond simply search and finding facts. One of the articles broke it down into steps: Introduction, Task, Process, Resources, Evaluation, and Conclusion. It seems to me that webquest is like a lesson plan only it is more useful since it incorporates gathering data, using technology, critical thinking, creativity and team work. The best part about it is that teachers can use it to organize information on one subject into one lesson. The webquest seemed to me to be a way to make sure that students utilized the websites gathering information, and not getting distracted by the non educational websites. It makes sure that all students are focused and involved. I noticed that even Cal State San Marcos Library has a web quest. Hmmmm!! I wonder why I had never noticed this before reading about this webquest business? Perhaps because just like so many other subjects in this education 422 class, there's all this helpful information out there and it's not being advertised, you have really have connections and the education to find it all. Technology is so powerful! I'm impressed.

Blog # 8

Wow! Thankfully we got to read the article titled "Teaching Students to Use the Internet as a Research Tool" By Elizabeth Caulfield Felt and Sarah Symans. This article was beneficial to not only students but to teachers as well as college students. I enjoyed all of the wonderful tips regarding "good information." Although the tips seemed to be common sense once they were read, before reading this article for myself personally, and I'm sure I speak for others, they were tips that were rarely thought of when in "Research" mode. The article gave about five different ways on how to locate valuable information. The first was to buy information from companies who are selling it. Obviously, if it costs money, it must contain valuable information. Second, by evaluating where the URL used came from, if it came from a magazine or a company brochure it can be regarded as quality information. Third, and this one was most beneficial for students, was that this article pointed out that search engines in which look for information on the entire web are pretty much a toss up meaning they could contain good or bad information, while search engines like Yahooligans which contained information evaluated by a specialists contain trustworthy information. The fourth way to get quality information is to browse through Directories which divide all information into topics. Lastly, by examining the sponsor of the website, for example, three letters follow the dot in the url, if its .gov, or .edu, more than likely it's reputable information. I personally, as a college student have struggled with this very same question on whether or not my sources contain valuable information, so I can really see the purpose in teaching a lesson like this to younger grades such as fifth graders. They can really benefit from this lesson throughout the rest of their education on up to college. By introducing these types of lessons young the more likely they will retain it and make these tips a part of their process to accessing "good quality information" for their research papers.

Blog # 6

Wow! What a helpful resource that website it! I am profoundly amazed that there is a whole website dedicated to making sure that teachers have all the resources they need in order to make the correct decision about which computer software to purchase. This is a a time saver becuase all of the resources are located on one sheet but not only that it's perfect for teachers. It's well known that teachers don't have a huge budget, websites like this make it easier for teachers to decide whether or not they will buy a program. By having check sheets and questions already made up it makes evaluation of a program much easier and time effective. This resource helps to save money instead of making an educated guess on which software is best for your class. This website makes it easier to see whether the advertising is false or whether it used minimal standards when testing for results of product.
I really really enjoyed the link on the website titled www.ecs.org this link gave about thirty questions for teachers to ask themselves when reviewing the program. Questions based on how to make technology more useful in the classroom, whether the technology is useful, whether the technology is time effective, will it improve my goals for the year let alone enhance student scores? The check list of questions is phenomenal. They are questions that are highly relavant.
The next favorite resorces link that was featured on this website was www.child'ssoftware.com. It offers a long and detailed check off list to use when deciding on whether or not to purchase the software. This link breaks it down into sections. A few of the subtitle sections are: Ease of Use, Child proof, educational, and entertaining. This link is very intriguing because a few of the check off items are funny but well needed. The check off list is easy to read and seems like it could done in a few minutes. It seemed to me to the quickest and most effective way to go about selecting a new software or program.
Lastly, I wanted to talk about the very first link, Technology in Education. This is quite valuable becuase it shows you how to judge whether or not a program is effective or not. I like that it shows red flags when software claims seem a little unclear or skewed. It reeally examines if the technology is inflating actual results or stating false results. The software takes all of the guess work out of purchasing technology. It even breaks down the cost by showing purchase price, estimated future maintence and future upgrades.
I am impressed that this website is out there with all of these helpful links. A teacher doesn't have a lot of time to double check the effectiveness let alone if it's new technology they might not know what to look for, this website does their homework in a sense. It's like insurance. It already has thought about for them. Also, it's looking after the teachers budgeted money, that way he or she doesn't spend what little budget they have on bunk software.