Final Project

https://sites.google.com/site/classportfolioeduc2201/home

Webquest

https://sites.google.com/site/arewereallyalone/

Webquest

My role was the efficiency expert. Our group decided on the Underground Railroad because it has a combination of internet research, role play, interaction, and time management.

Wikipedia

a. What is Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is a multilingual, Web-based encyclopedia project, operated by the Wikimedia Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
b. How would you answer the question posed in this piece “How reliable can a source be when anyone can edit it?”? 
Many people watch what appears there, so there is a good chance any errors will be caught.
c. Who do the creators of Wikipedia place their trust in when it comes to weeding out misinformation?
wisdom of crowds
d. Why did founder Larry Sanger leave Wikipedia?
He believes that it should give more authority to experts
e. What would abuse or vandalism look like on a Wikipedia page?
It looks obvious sometimes, and other times there is not reference.
f. What do the statistics quoted in the third paragraph of this piece reveal?
A lot of people visit Wikipedia and read the articles.
g. Why do you think Wikipedia is so successful?
Its a place that contains lots of information from many different places.
h. Why might Wikipedia’s creators not want to accept advertising?
They want the information to be available for free and not have the information biased due to advertising.
i. How does Wikiscanner help increase the reliability of Wikipedia entries?
It quickly exposed examples of self-interested editing by prominent businesses and governments around the world.






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand_New

1. Start with the main page. Does it have any cleanup banners that have been placed there to indicate problems with the article? (A complete list is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Template_messages/
   Cleanup.) No

Any one of the following cleanup banners means the article is anunreliable source:

This article or section has multiple issues.
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
The neutrality of this article is disputed.
The factual accuracy of this article is disputed.
This needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling.
This may contain material not appropriate for an encyclopedia.
This article only describes one highly specialized aspect of its associated subject.
This article requires authentication or verification by an expert.
This article or section needs to be updated.
This article may not provide balanced geographical coverage on a region.
This is missing citations or needs footnotes.
This article does not cite any references or sources.

2. Read through the article and see if it meets the following requirements:

Is it written in a clear and organized way?	Y
Is the tone neutral (not taking sides)?	Y
Are all important facts referenced (you're told where they come from)?	Y
Does the information provided seem complete or does it look like there are gaps (or just one side of the story)?	Y

3. Scroll down to the article's References and open them in new windows or tabs. Do they seem like reliable sources? (For help in determining the general reliability of a source, check out the Knowing What's What and What's Note: The 5 Ws (and 1 "H") of Cyberspace handout.)
   
   Reliable references:
   
   
   Possibly unreliable references: ^ "Brand New". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
   
   
   Definitely unreliable references:
   
   
    
4. Click on the Discussion tab. How is the article rated on the Rating Scale(Stub, Start, C, B, GA, A, FA)? What issues around the article are being discussed? Do any of them make you doubt the article's reliability?

        GA, there are only some simple facts that are being disputed.

5. Based on the above questions, give the article an overall ranking ofReliable, Partially Reliable or Unreliable.

• You may use a Reliable article as a source (but remember that even if a Wikipedia article is reliable, it should never be your only source on a topic!)
  
• You may use a Partially Reliable article as a starting point for your research, and may use some
  of its references as sources, but do not us it as a source.
  
• You should not use an Unreliable article as a source or a starting point. Research the same topic in a different encyclopedia.

How did you rank this article (Reliable, Partially Reliable or Unreliable)? Give at least three reasons to support
your answer.

        Reliable. There article is not biased, contains many straight facts, and has a community behind it to make corrections. 

thinkaloud

View more presentations from mitchrosko

Website Evaluation

NLCB Activity

The highest peak occurs in Special Ed. Reading Level 1. However, Reading Level 2 has more peaks than Reading Level 1. Reading Level 1 has 3 peaks while Reading Level 2 has 5 peaks. The lowest peak occurs in Asian Reading Level 2. There are no modes in this set, so there is also no bi-modal score.

More Stats

Voki

Week 7 Double Journal

"Unlike reading assigned textbooks, reading online challenges students to make judgments about the reputability and validity of the information they see. Researchers who directed several hundred college students to three bogus Web sites about fictitious nutritional supplements found that half of the students lacked the skills to identify the trustworthiness of the information, yet most thought they had strong research skills (Ivanitskaya, O'Boyle, & Casey, 2006)."


Kids need to learn that everything that they may read online is not necessarily true. This same point holds true for what they may see on TV, magazines, or in life. Being able to find and take different perspectives helps students to find their own truth in what they are researching. Not only is this a good skill for life, but it helps students learn to critically think, and question things that they see and read. It demonstrates the importance of individuality and the freedom to think for oneself. Having students develop as thinkers and inquirers will only improve their intelligence and progress not only in the classroom, but for the rest of their lives.

Image: http://www.cclscorp.com/ESW/Images/Kid_Thinking22.png

Article: David, J. (2009). Teaching media literacy. Educational Leadership,66(6), 84-86. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Teaching-Media-Literacy.aspx

Magazine

Week 6 Double Entry

"Body language codes are  specific to cultures; this hand position, posture, and eyes would be read quite differently in a less egalitarian culture."

I chose this quote because it is perhaps why many cultures don't like Americans. Unfortunately, the leaders of America feel that the entire world needs to accept and adapt to the American culture. Frankly, I think the picture of Teddy Roosevelt in the background makes George Bush look more like a cowboy than he already tries to be. The media has a need to make the president look as they please depending on how they feel about him at the moment. I apologize for the opinionated response; it's been a long day.

Abilock, D. (2003). A seven power lens on 21st century literacy. Retrieved from http://www.infotoday.com/mmschools

http://www.metafilter.com/65554/Windshield-cowboy

Critically speaking...?

1. Study the Photograph for 2 minutes. Form an overall impression of the article.

 

Caption: 

White House: Obama ready to seize claims process.

 

The president is walking tall and ready to take control. There are a lot of people walking with him who support him. The view of the ship behind him with the American flag on it represents the American people and military who stand behind him. The picture makes him look like the most powerful person in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

2.Divide the photo into quadrants and study each section to see what new details become visible. Use the chart below to list people objects and activities in the photograph. 

People	Objects	Activities
Sailor	Ship, American flag	Standing guard, the country is supporting president
Sailors	Ship	Supporting president
President and people walking with him	Ship	President is walking tall. The people are walking with him or supporting him
People walking with the president	Ship	More people backing the president

Based on what you have observed list three things you might infer from the photograph.

1. The president is enforcing his power.

2. The American people is standing behind him

3. The president has strong people who support him.

What questions do the caption and article title raise in your mind?

What does the president need to seize the claims process? Does he need all of the support? Why is he even doing this? From the picture, it looks like the entire country supports his decision.

 

Study the Photograph for 2 minutes. Form an overall impression of the article.

 

The president seems very anxious, stressed, and concerned. The image is up close, so it feels like the president is backed into a corner or a tight space. You can see from the look on his face that he is weakened and doesn't exactly know what to do. It seems that he wants to fix the situation immediately but can not and does not have the ability to do so.

Photo in the Washington Post Tuesday June 15, 2010

Article Title: Oil Spill: BP Gulf leak could stain President Obama like Iran Hostage crisis destroyed Jimmy Carter

Caption:

President Barack Obama is briefed on the BP oil spill relief efforts in the Gulf

2. Divide the photo into quadrants and study each section to see what new details become visible. Use the chart below to list people objects and activities in the photograph. 

People	Objects	Activities
Barack Obama	Barack's head	He looks tired and stressed and it is easily visible on his face.
Barack Obama	Barack's head	"
Barack Obama	Barack's face	"
Barack Obama	Barack's face	"

Based on what you have observed list three things you might infer from the photograph.

1. Barack Obama is stressed and anxious.

2. The president looks helpless, as if the situation looks grim.

3. The president looks weak, there is no one there to support him, and he doesn't know what to do.

 

What questions do the caption and article title raise in your mind?

Does he have the power to fix the leak? How will the American people react to his reaction to the spill? Is the oil leak going to destroy his reputation and kill his chances for a second term?

 

The first picture displays more confidence. He is seen having a relaxed confidence because he knows he's going to get the job done. He is with a team of people who support him, and also the flag behind him represents the entire country behind him.

Which picture gives you more confidence in the presidents leadership abilities? Why?

Friday 9/23/11

Describe the digital story project.

In my digital story, I came up with the idea to use the movie Big Daddy as a medium to show how teaching affects both teacher and student. In the movie, Adam Sandler learns about himself by teaching his new "son" things about lift. Not only does he learn, but he grows as a person. At the end of the movie, he has become a successful person because by teaching he learned about the rewards of learning.

Make a connections between the digital story project and the ISTE NETS-T

The connections I made are: creativity, using digital tools, demonstrating fluency in technology, responsibility, and growth and leadership. All of these things came together to create the digital story. Not only did I create a digital story using software, pictures, and music, but I also had to give credit to the things that I used in the story.

Explain how they might promote learning in your future classroom.

Using digital media promotes students to express their opinion and release their creativity. Students may learn better from using a computer to find answers rather than searching for them in a book. Students will also learn that there are more "correct" answers than the ones they read in a book. There can be many correct answers that students can discover by using digital media and communicating with their peers.

Find a lesson plan, activity or idea that involves digital story telling in your content area and describe the activity or idea

"Description:

In this lesson, students create original stories that include text, drawings, photos, animation, audio, and video. They use technology tools, such as digital cameras and computers, to bring their stories to life. Story ideas can come from personal and family experiences, connections to other cultures, and real or imaginary people, places, or events."

-http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/lessonplans/index.cgi?show_record=22

Copyright in an Electronic Environment

Can students upload their multimedia project to YouTube?


Yes, however there are limitations. "Fair use ends when the multimedia creator loses control of his product's use, such as when it is accessed by others over the Internet." -http://www.ncpublicschools.org/copyright1.html


Are the limitations to the amount of pictures or length of music or video that can be used in a multimedia project?


Yes, there are limitations on music and video, also.

"Motion Media

• Up to 10% of a copyrighted work or 3 minutes, whichever is less
• Clip cannot be altered in any way"

"Music

• Up to 10% of a copyrighted musical composition, but no more than 30 seconds
• Up to 10% of a body of sound recording, but no more than 30 seconds
• Any alterations cannot change the basic melody or the fundamental character of the work"

-http://www.ncpublicschools.org/copyright1.html


Do you need to request permission from the original creator in order to use copyrighted material in multimedia project for school related assignment?

"Educators or students need not write for permission if their presentation falls within the specific multimedia fair use guidelines; however, "educators and students are advised to note that if there is a possibility that their own educational multimedia project incorporating copyrighted works under fair use could later result in broader dissemination, whether or not as commercial product, it is strongly recommended that they take steps to obtain permissions during the development process for all copyrighted portions rather than waiting until after completion of the project." -http://www.ncpublicschools.org/copyright1.html

Story Time

Comic

VARK Questionnaire

Your scores were:

• Visual: 0
• Aural: 3
• Read/Write: 4
• Kinesthetic: 9

The VARK questionnaire told me that I am a kinesthetic learner. I find this to be true because I like to get my hands on something and use it to learn it. I believe it is easier to learn concepts by seeing how something works. I feel like I need to go beyond looking at something in order to learn better.

Are Digital Media Changing Language?

Quote:
"These days you sometimes hear students saying "brb" (be right back) to one another when they temporarily take their leave. I have also overheard "lol" (laughing out loud) in conversations among young people. However, these neologisms need to be put into perspective. Infusion of written acronyms into everyday speech is a common linguistic process—to wit, RSVP, AWOL, or ASAP. If a few more lexical shortenings make their way into general usage, that's nothing out of the ordinary."

Reaction:
New abbreviations in the English language should accepted in the correct environment. Middle school to high school students know that they should not write BTW in their schoolwork. The English language goes through cycles and new words are created constantly. For example, the acronym ASAP from my quote above is a generally accepted term in the English language. However, students know that using the abbreviation in a paper or homework is not acceptable. The same goes for LOL, BRB, and IMO. Students may write IMO to state their opinion on an online blog, but would not write it in a school paper about global warming. All is not lost in the English language by creating more shorthanded words. We are in the digital age, after all.

Baron, Naomi. "Are Digital Media Changing Language?." Educational Leadership 66.6 (2009): 42-46. Web. 4 Sep 2011. <http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar09/vol66/num06/Are-Digital-Media-Changing-Language%C2%A2.aspx>.

Week 2 Post

Wordle is a text analysis tool. I used it in class by writing ten characterstics I would like to have as a teacher. I wrote the most important characteristic ten times, the second nine times, and so on. Wordle created a visual, customizable mapping of the text that I entered.

Poll Everywhere is an audience response system. I used it in class to ask my classmates about a specific band, and which album was their favorite. It is useful to find out how people think or feel about a certain topic, and it is easy to do because it is anonymous.

The activity I came up with is based off of an activity I found at ttp://sites.google.com/site/edinatechresources/wordle-activity.
I would change the questions to the following:
1. What are your 3 favorite activities of the year?
2. What are 5 new words that you learned this year?
3. What are your 5 favorite things about summer vacation?

The connection between Wordle and Poll Everywhere to ISTE NETS-T is simple - technology. Teaching is moving from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age. Students now learn differently than they did in the Industrial Age. They retain information better by performing online activities and sharing thoughts with eachother instead of reading from a physical book the entire school day. Sharing information and using technology in the classroom will easily promote learning in the classroom. Students want to use technology and share thoughts, opinions, and ideas with eachother. Using technology will hold their attention and make it more fun to learn. This is how students are going to learn in the new age.

Wordle

Poll

Take my poll

Week 1 Post

Quote:
What if, indeed. After studying the matter, Ms. Davidson concluded, “Online blogs directed at peers exhibit fewer typographical and factual errors, less plagiarism, and generally better, more elegant and persuasive prose than classroom assignments by the same writers.”

Reaction:
According to Ms. Davidson, students write better than they would by following the structure of a term paper. Instead of being stuck in the prison of MLA formatting, the freedom students are given in blogs allows them to communicate their thoughts more easily. Not only do students' thoughts travel more easily, but it is easier for them to share thoughts with one another. Students do not care about writing term papers. Students do not grow as writers or thinkers from writing term papers. Students grow as writers by sharing their opinions with one another. Allowing students to write about things that are relevant to them gives them more incentive to write. I believe implementing technology into lessons in the classroom will aid children in learning in the 21st century. The future of work will require to require technology that does not even exist yet, but we need to prepare children for it in the best possible way.

Resources:

Heffernan, Virginia. (2011, August 7). Education needs a digital-age upgrade. Retrieved from http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/education-needs-a-digital-age-upgrade/?hp

 

 

First Post

My name is Mitchell Rosko. I am from Johnstown, PA. My hero is Dave Grohl and I want to teach high school Spanish.

The best way to teach students is to let them have fun in the classroom. They should interact and communicate instead of sleeping.