I have actually known about the questioning of Wikipedia's reliability for a while now. I think it has many similarities to many other so-called reliable sources in the internet. For one, any person can make a Wikipedia page, just like anyone can make any other website that's out there, except of course, the other websites take more time and money to make. On Wikipedia, you must have reliable sources to make a page on a certain topic. Of course, these sources can spin things to create an advantage for themselves, but so can other websites if you think about it.
For me, Wikipedia is used the same way as most of my resources. I try not use just this website when researching for something that's important to me. I think it's reliable enough to get the basic information out something, but it can also leave out some important details that the source might not want people to know. I think that is why it would be smart for everyone to use multiple sources.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wikipedia
I have actually known about the questioning of Wikipedia's reliability for a while now. I think it has many similarities to many other so-called reliable sources in the internet. For one, any person can make a Wikipedia page, just like anyone can make any other website that's out there, except of course, the other websites take more time and money to make. On Wikipedia, you must have reliable sources to make a page on a certain topic. Of course, these sources can spin things to create an advantage for themselves, but so can other websites if you think about it.
For me, Wikipedia is used the same way as most of my resources. I try not use just this website when researching for something that's important to me. I think it's reliable enough to get the basic information out something, but it can also leave out some important details that the source might not want people to know. I think that is why it would be smart for everyone to use multiple sources.
For me, Wikipedia is used the same way as most of my resources. I try not use just this website when researching for something that's important to me. I think it's reliable enough to get the basic information out something, but it can also leave out some important details that the source might not want people to know. I think that is why it would be smart for everyone to use multiple sources.
Wikipedia
I have actually known about the questioning of Wikipedia's reliability for a while now. I think it has many similarities to many other so-called reliable sources in the internet. For one, any person can make a Wikipedia page, just like anyone can make any other website that's out there, except of course, the other websites take more time and money to make. On Wikipedia, you must have reliable sources to make a page on a certain topic. Of course, these sources can spin things to create an advantage for themselves, but so can other websites if you think about it.
For me, Wikipedia is used the same way as most of my resources. I try not use just this website when researching for something that's important to me. I think it's reliable enough to bet the basic information out something, but it can also leave out some important details that the source might not want people to know. I think that is why it would be smart for everyone to use multiple sources.
For me, Wikipedia is used the same way as most of my resources. I try not use just this website when researching for something that's important to me. I think it's reliable enough to bet the basic information out something, but it can also leave out some important details that the source might not want people to know. I think that is why it would be smart for everyone to use multiple sources.
Wikipedia
I have actually known about the questioning of Wikipedia's reliability for a while now. I think it has many similarities to many other so-called reliable sources in the internet. For one, any person can make a Wikipedia page, just like anyone can make any other website that's out there, except of course, the other websites take more time and money to make. On Wikipedia, you must have reliable sources to make a page on a certain topic. Of course, these sources can spin things to create an advantage for themselves, but so can other websites if you think about it.
For me, Wikipedia is used the same way as most of my resources. I try not use just this website when researching for something that's important to me. I think it's reliable enough to bet the basic information out something, but it can also leave out some important details that the source might not want people to know. I think that is why it would be smart for everyone to use multiple sources.
For me, Wikipedia is used the same way as most of my resources. I try not use just this website when researching for something that's important to me. I think it's reliable enough to bet the basic information out something, but it can also leave out some important details that the source might not want people to know. I think that is why it would be smart for everyone to use multiple sources.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Randy Pausch video
The very first thing I noticed about the video, obviously, was that Mr. Pausch was in amazingly good spirits despite the fact that he probably only has a couple more months to live. I like the story of how when he played youth football, his head coach was really riding him hard in practice. After practice, the assistant coach mentioned to Randy that he noticed it and said it was a good thing. The reason it was a good thing is because when someone stops trying to correct you for making a mistake, that means they have given up on you. Another thing he mentioned when he was talking about football was how parents have their kids play sports because of "head fake". By this he means it's not football what parents actually want their children to learn, it's what they get out of football that's important. For example, teamwork, perseverance, and fundamentals are something you get out of football. This is something we can take out of everything we do. Sometimes as a college student we feel like there are certain classes that are just not important to us for the future. However, there are plenty of things we can get out of that class to help us in whatever we plan on doing.
Another thing Mr. Pausch talked about was the significance of brick walls being in our way. Those brick walls are there to prove how much we want something. If you want something bad enough, you will break through the brick wall. If you don't want it, you will never get through the brick wall. To me, college is a perfect example of a brick wall. He also spoke of how a very well know virtual reality colleague of his told him that if you wait long enough, people will surprise and impress you. By this, he meant that sometimes you just have to get to know someone before you really get to know them and understand them.
About halfway through the lecture, Mr. Pausch spoke about a two week assignment he gave the class. When the students presented their assignments, it completely blew him away. They were so good he didn't know how to go about the rest of the semester so he called a mentor. He told the mentor about the assignment, and that if they would have spent the entire semester on the projects, he would have given the class all As. The mentor told him to go into the class and tell them that he thought they were capable of much better. The reason he told him this was because he thought it was important to never set the bar. A lot of teachers always set a bar they want their students to reach. If the students reach that bar, then they usually don't go any further. If you never set the bar, the students are always learning more and wanting more.
Mr. Pausch's lecture was definitely an inspiring one. He spoke of many things, including how the best way to make your dreams come true is to help others make theirs come true. I think that everyone that is going into the profession of teaching must have this attitude to be a successful teacher.
Another thing Mr. Pausch talked about was the significance of brick walls being in our way. Those brick walls are there to prove how much we want something. If you want something bad enough, you will break through the brick wall. If you don't want it, you will never get through the brick wall. To me, college is a perfect example of a brick wall. He also spoke of how a very well know virtual reality colleague of his told him that if you wait long enough, people will surprise and impress you. By this, he meant that sometimes you just have to get to know someone before you really get to know them and understand them.
About halfway through the lecture, Mr. Pausch spoke about a two week assignment he gave the class. When the students presented their assignments, it completely blew him away. They were so good he didn't know how to go about the rest of the semester so he called a mentor. He told the mentor about the assignment, and that if they would have spent the entire semester on the projects, he would have given the class all As. The mentor told him to go into the class and tell them that he thought they were capable of much better. The reason he told him this was because he thought it was important to never set the bar. A lot of teachers always set a bar they want their students to reach. If the students reach that bar, then they usually don't go any further. If you never set the bar, the students are always learning more and wanting more.
Mr. Pausch's lecture was definitely an inspiring one. He spoke of many things, including how the best way to make your dreams come true is to help others make theirs come true. I think that everyone that is going into the profession of teaching must have this attitude to be a successful teacher.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Karl Fisch blog
I agree with Karl Fisch's blog for the most part, but I'm not quite as passionate I'd say. A teacher being technologically illiterate today is the same as a teacher not being able to read and write 30 years ago is definitely a bit over the top for me. I definitely think a teacher should be up to date on their technology, but if they are not, they are still very much capable of teaching students the basic concepts of most classes such as math, reading, and English. Technology would make all of these more beneficial, but you could still get it done.
Other than that, I agree with his blog. In this day and age, technology is really taking over and school is no exception. For one, most students today are caught up on all the technology quirks that are out there and for a teacher not to be just sends a bad message right off the bat.
Other than that, I agree with his blog. In this day and age, technology is really taking over and school is no exception. For one, most students today are caught up on all the technology quirks that are out there and for a teacher not to be just sends a bad message right off the bat.
It's not about the technology
Kelly Hines blog about technology and how there are far more important concerns that much come first when it comes to teaching is a great blog. I have had way too many teachers that seem to be in too much of a comfort zone when it came to teaching. By that I mean they seemed like they had the same exact routine for a number of years and had no intent of changing. Students change over the years and I think it is the teachers job to adapt to their students, not the other way around.
Technology is clearly going to be a big factor when it comes to teaching students, but the most important part about teaching will always be the teacher. I think just because a teacher can graduate from college just not mean that they are set for life. Teachers just be evaluated every so often to make sure they are still capable of being an effective teacher.
Technology is clearly going to be a big factor when it comes to teaching students, but the most important part about teaching will always be the teacher. I think just because a teacher can graduate from college just not mean that they are set for life. Teachers just be evaluated every so often to make sure they are still capable of being an effective teacher.
A Vision of Students Today
The video done by Kansas State University students did a great job of capturing the college experience for many students. I know for me, I have way too many things that I need to do each day that are either related to school or work. There are literally not enough hours in the day when you have to add in time to sleep and a little more time to do things such as relax. The only way to really keep up is to multi-task and simplify things. As bad as it sounds, sometimes you just have to take shortcuts.
Another thing I like about the video is that this really is what students, myself included, are doing in the majority of their classes. Not really paying attention. Too many classes have the traditional structure where the teacher is lecturing to the class and there is no interaction at all with the students. These teachers usually don't know their students at all and the students spend little to no time paying attention in class.
Another thing I like about the video is that this really is what students, myself included, are doing in the majority of their classes. Not really paying attention. Too many classes have the traditional structure where the teacher is lecturing to the class and there is no interaction at all with the students. These teachers usually don't know their students at all and the students spend little to no time paying attention in class.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Benefits of podcasting in the classroom
After watching the second link provided, Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom, I learned a few good things about podcasting. I didn't realize that students in secondary education are actually using podcasts to teach each other. I know we are doing that in class, but I didn't know they were also doing it at the middle and high school levels. That is a great way for students to learn because they are actually involved in it themselves. Podcasts can also be used in visual presentations for students to make their projects that much better. If a student is sick, they can simply watch a podcast of the lesson and it is almost like they didn't miss class.
Another big plus for podcasting is parents can see what their children are doing in class. Many parents are always curious as to what is being taught in class and how effective they are being taught. They also now know if their child is being treated fairly in class. There are no secrets. Podcasting also helps with students creativity. The last thing I learned about this video is that everyone who had a part in it should never act again.
Another big plus for podcasting is parents can see what their children are doing in class. Many parents are always curious as to what is being taught in class and how effective they are being taught. They also now know if their child is being treated fairly in class. There are no secrets. Podcasting also helps with students creativity. The last thing I learned about this video is that everyone who had a part in it should never act again.
Student Videocast
One of the first things I noticed in the video of the students talking about technologically literate teachers is everyone seems a bit nervous. Not that I can necessarily change that when I do one, because I'm sure I will be nervous too. Another thing I notice is that the students seem to be looking down at their notes a bit too much. Looking at your notes makes you seem unprepared and not really knowing what you are discussing. Another thing is they only seemed to speak when Dr. Strange presented a topic instead of jumping in after one of their classmates was talking.
Overall I actually think they did a pretty good job. They did look down at their notes a lot and didn't take enough control I thought, but when they did speak they made great points. Some of the things I think they could have improved on are some things that I seriously doubt I could do better myself so I don't want to criticize too much.
Overall I actually think they did a pretty good job. They did look down at their notes a lot and didn't take enough control I thought, but when they did speak they made great points. Some of the things I think they could have improved on are some things that I seriously doubt I could do better myself so I don't want to criticize too much.
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