Considering my own opinion on using technology in the classroom, I find Chapter 5 informative on how the use of technology is not always positive influence. Students today learn how to browse the internet at an early age, and they learn how to use it outside of the classroom. Students are teaching themselves how to obtain information from the web and it is not necessarily from the most reliable sources. Much of what we have learned so far has only been about the advantages of technology, not the disadvantages. Chapter 5 states four ways on page 113 that the Internet can create a dilemma when it comes to retrieving information. They include misinformation, malinformation, messed-up information, and mostly useless information. To control and manage the types of information mentioned, the following can be used: censorship, filtering software, partitions, labels, and critical reading. The chapter also discusses the validity and reliability of Wikipedia, which we discussed in the previous class.
There is so much information that is readily available to students, but they must be taught how to access and utilize their resources properly. This is important when students have to obtain information for papers as they must also learn to cite their work and pratice
safe, legal, and ethical use of digital
information, including respect for copyright, intellectual
property, and the appropriate documentation of source.
Chapter 6 lists various educational websites that teachers can use. I personally think these would be very resourceful. The chapter also touches on virtual cooperative learning and how students are not only limited to learning and interacting with peers in their classroom, but with students in other schools, in other states, or even other countries. Students are also able to use technology outside of the classroom to practice and learn on their own and stay motivated and engaged in the learning process.
For Thought...
(1) How would you teach your students the process of obtaining reliable information online?
(2) How would you handle situations of plagiarism? What would the consequences be?
(3) What is your opinion on online learning and virtual schools?
(4) Would you allow your student to use Wikipedia as a reference for research?
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteYou made some great points in your discussion on the two chapters. The internet is one of the greatest resources available to students. The tools , and information on the internet has the ability to serve as a great catalyst for academic success. Educators must engage students in dialogue about the harmful , and inaccurate information that may surface during internet searches. Truthfully, prior to even assigning projects or work that requires students to use the internet, there needs to be a class session devoted to how to use the internet properly. This would encompass information about plagiarism , and the seriousness of the issue. Teachers can walk students through the steps of using student appropriate sites, and how they can use the internet to successfully complete assignments. In regards to plagiarism, student would need to be equipped with the proper skills of summarizing from a provided text. Students need to be adept to paraphrasing and citing the sources in the proper manner. Educators could provide students with examples of how to summarize and refrain from copying verbatim. The preparation that the teacher provides would not only help build digital citizenship,but it would minimize plagiarism. Issues with plagiarism can be decreased through providing examples of how to use the information on the internet safely, and legally.