Literacy

√ How do we help our students effectively gather, synthesize and transform information using digital resources?

I have my students read online and I'm teaching them how to use info. from articles and books to complete graphic organizers--on the computer and on paper.   We are also reading online and text book info. then summarizing online in our own words.   I'm trying to teach them to question where the information is coming from, and to find what is important info. and what's just extra.

I plan to go through the World Book Online student center information on research, and have them practice finding information.    I have them use graphic organizers, and have them complete a Venn diagram for 2-3 articles on the same topic, so that they can see what information is common to them.   These are generally the key ideas from all of the articles or books, and show the students what key info. they need to include in their summaries.                 

When it comes to presenting to the class, I ask for more than one source of info. and encourage a variety of sources to be used.   Students also can present their learning digitally, which often makes it easier for them to manipulate the information and be creative in their sharing.

√ Who owns the information on the web?
The authors, although some have given permission to use their work.
√ What resources can I use and how can I use them in a wired classroom?

World Book Student Research guide.   Various websites.  Programs such as Glogster, Keynote, etc. for sharing learning.

Reflection on popular culture #2.

Well, we've now looked at the sources of media, and how bias, purpose and intended audience can affect how messages are portrayed, and how personal experience changes the way that we receive and interpret those messages.   
I still think that we can use popular culture within the classroom, if it fits within the guidelines issued to teachers.   I wouldn't show the articles, photos, clips, etc. if I haven't seen them first.   This is just like when we were choosing videos to show and were asked to preview them before using them.   Using media allows us to have a discussion about questioning media and the reasons that things are presented in a certain way.

Popular Culture: part 1

Should we use popular culture in the classroom?  Why or why not?


I believe that we should use popular culture, if it fits the parameters of our lessons and is appropriate for sharing within a school setting.  
The students are inundated with youtube, itunes, google, facebook, msn messenger, etc. and respond better to material that is presented in a familiar way rather than simply as text in a book or an article.   If I can better grab and keep all student's attention (or many,) particularly the boys, why would I choose not to?   I want their attention, and so long as the focus is on what is done with the knowledge and content, rather than simply showing movies for entertainment, I believe the more teaching tools I can use, the better.