Information Literacy Discussion

To effectively search for information you should make sure to use proper terms and search techniques while using your specific search engine. Some good search techniques are using quotation marks around words or phrases you want to keep together in the search, e.g. "state flower." Another way to effectively search for information is to use the advanced search tool. This will give you more options to narrow down your search, e.g. domain type, language.

Once you have found a site you think has good information, check to make sure it is credible. Some of these ways are by checking the publisher, the author, if the article or journal is peer reviewed, the type of writing, and the date it was published. Usually if the publishing date is older, the information may not be quite up to date and reliable. Another important way of checking to see if a website is credible is by checking the domain type. Usually, .com is the domain that is going to need the most research of it's credibility.

"Lights, Camera, Learning!"

In Glen Bull and Lynn Bell's article, they dive into the many uses of videos in the classroom. Since the transition of video went from analog to digital, the possibilities and accessibility of videos is incredible. Bull and Bell give excellent examples of how digital video can help in science, social studies, mathematics, and English language arts. In science, videos can be useful for examining and exploring natural phenomena. They explain that with the options of rewind, slow motion, extensive zoom, etc. students will be able to observe, infer, classify, predict, measure, communicate, and hypothesize easier. For social studies, documentaries and Hollywood's interpretations of certain historical events can give students a little bit better idea of what happened or what might have happened in the past. Many students are more visual learners, so this definitely helps in the understanding of historical content. Digital video can be useful in mathematics because it gives students mathematical models that can be broken down and examined in a more entertaining way. Last, Bell and Bull explain that digital video can be used in English language arts because students are always making new videos, taking new pictures, etc. and this can be a way of communicating ideas to each other and especially communicating ideas in presentations. So many people nowadays believe that videos and movies and digital media are harmful to students' intelligence, but this article proves that digital media have so many other uses aside from just entertainment. Overall, this just explains how much videos affect students in the classroom in positive ways.

This article is great for teachers just entering the teaching career and even those who have been teaching for a long time. This article can give examples to teachers about how to use all types of media (digital or not) into their classroom for easier understanding by the students. I would definitely use this article to help give me a few ideas how to encourage all types of learning in the classroom using videos.

With this specific article, the teacher and students standards can both be applicable, but the ISTE NETS standard for students I believe this article relates most to would be standard one: Creativity and Innovation. These digital videos can give students "models and simulations" that they can explore and help them learn new ideas and pieces of information. Also, they can use digital media to help them creatively express their own ideas on a certain topic to discuss with the classroom.

Bull, G. & Bell, L. (2009) Lights, Camera, Learning! Learning & Leading with Technology 36(8), 30-31. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20090607#pg32

"When Will We Ever Use Math in Real Life?"

Jennifer Ware and Sarah Stein both show the same interest in explaining to students when, where, and how they will use math they learn in school in the "real world." Ware and Stein wanted to invite people in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers to talk to the students about how they use math in their careers and also how they, themselves, felt about math back when they were in school. Unfortunately, they weren't able to have many of the experts come to them, so instead, they went out and made videos at a different workplace and had them explain what kind of math they use and what exactly they use it for. One example was of an architect on his build site. There was a point where they had highlighted geographical shapes the architect used to shape his buildings. After compiling around eighteen videos, the student interest in math actually increased.

In the classroom this could be a great tool because there are many people, including myself, who really don't know where they will need or use some of the information they learned in school. If we could do this for all subjects, this could really help students understand why they are learning what they are learning and why it is important to retain that knowledge and hold on to it for future use.

I feel like this would work better with the standards for teachers, but if I had to pick one, the ISTE NETS standard I feel this pertains most to would be standard three: Research and Information Fluency. I feel like students can research their career paths and interests because of these videos especially because these videos are giving explanations for how and why math is important in a specific field. By being able to pick up information in the videos, they could also take that information and do more detailed research elsewhere.

Stein, S. & Ware, J. (2012). When Will We Ever Use Math in Real Life? Learning & Leading with Technology, 39(8), 34-35. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20120607/?pg=36&pm=2&ul=friend

"Should Students Use Their Real Name on the Web?"

In this article, David Wees and Dan Maas argue their opinion about if students should use their real names on internet websites. On one hand, Wees believes that it is okay  for students to reveal their identity on the internet. Some forms of cyber-bullying tend to be more likely when the option of being anonymous is present. He thinks by allowing students to reveal their identity, the amount of hateful comments or remarks could lessen. Wees also implies that a student should never have to hide on the internet, but instead build communication skills necessary to deal with other issues that might come up in the future. Overall, Wees says students should use their real names on the internet because it could encourage them to post their work, or ideas, freely and people all over the world could admire them for it. On the other hand, Dan Maas thinks students shouldn't post their real names due to mostly safety issues. Although withholding a name from the internet doesn't automatically mean they are free from the hands of online predators, it definitely lessens the odds of crossing paths with one. He believes that between students and teachers there should be some form of naming, that way teachers can know exactly who posted something so they can be accountable for it. But students are not mini-adults and should not be treated that way until they claim to be ready for it, Maas explains.

I feel this pertains to teaching because nowadays students are using the internet a lot more for homework assignments, and discussion posts, etc. Back when I was a young student this didn't pertain so much to me because internet use for school was very very rare. I believe that students should have the option to display their full names online, but if not, just use first name and a last initial. Depending on which grade level you would like to dive into, internet assignments for students might be scarce. I hope to teach younger kids between kindergarten and second grade, so when I start teaching, I don't plan to be requiring my students to use the internet for personal assignments or reflections. If I assign something that needs the use of the internet, it would be something for the child to do with their parents like a quick learning game or something along those lines.

The ISTE NETS standard I find this article pertains most to is standard five: Digital Citizenship. This gives the students the opportunity to use the internet in a safe and legal manner because their names are tacked on to whatever they may be posting on the internet. Students will also demonstrate leadership in lifelong learning because this makes the student responsible for their words and actions and by being responsible with what you do and say on the internet can have a positive effect for students in the future.

Haas, D. & Wees, D. (2011). Should Student Use Their Real Names on the Web? Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(8), 6-7. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20110607/?pg=8&pm=2&ul=friend