CHAPTER 5: Research and Evaluating Internet Information
1. Chapter five states "Almost all teenagers (94 percent) use the Internet at least some of the time to do research for school" (pg 114). This is an extremely large percent of students that are using the Internet for academic based research. I always wondered how I would in my own classroom teach my students how to properly use internet research, what sites to use, how to use them, how to tell what information is necessary or true, etc. My first thought was to have a list of scholarly websites that they are allowed to use for the task at hand, and if they found other websites they would need to in advance give me the link so I could evaluate it. How will you, or how do you in your classrooms have your students use internet research? How will you teach them to use it properly? Lastly, will you only have your students use the Internet for academic research?
2. I found one part of the chapter extremely interesting and worth debating a little. On page 117 the text states, "Is time spent online reading really reading?internet critics say no, contending that reading printed books is the time-honored, proven path to intellectual and personal growth." When I read this quote I really stopped and thought about what the text was saying, and personally I had to agree with it. Reading off of the Internet or on an Ipad, or Nook, etc., is not really reading because you are taken by the technology part of it and not just focused on the reading aspect. Some things, like reading from a book should be kept traditional and not changed. Do you believe that reading from the Internet is not really reading? Will you have your students read more from books or online?
3. The text states that to be IT fluent a teacher must be able to use the application of computers and other technologies in the classroom in all subject areas. This made me think what exactly does it mean to be able to use technology and the computer in the classroom, does that mean a simple slideshow, a projector, a film, etc. or is it more. To me being IT fluent is the ability to navigate the computer, use search engines, online grading, slideshows, a smartboard, video, and some educational websites. What does it mean to you to be IT fluent? Do you believe you are IT fluent?
You bring up one of the parts I found most interesting in the chapter. I feel that reading on a nook or kindle is reading. I personally read on my kindle more that a physical book. I still use the same comprehension skills I use when reading a physical book. I still highlight and make notes I just do it on the technology I am using instead of physically writing them out. This does not change the comprehension and active reading skills I am using. Therefore if students are more likely to read off a kindle, nook, or ipad shouldn't we just appreciate the fact that they are interested in reading?
ReplyDeleteThe first point that you raise about how prevalent internet use is in schools brought a thought to my mind: what does that mean for the percentage of students that don't have internet access? It is becoming such an important part of education that I wonder how we can expect students to keep up if they don't even have the opportunity to use the internet to search for information. I guess they will have to keep it to books like 'back in the day'. Slightly off topic, but just a thought that crossed my mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your belief that online reading does not constitute real reading. Reading is a unique and special process that we all approach with different ideas and expectations. However, the one constant is that we are engaged with a book, article, etc. that requires all of our attention. Holding a book or magazine in our hands, we are immersed in the events unfolding before us, establishing a special relationship and connection with our reading material. As a result, we find ourselves completely focused on our material, whether or not it is interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting that they chose a quote from historian David McCullough to make the case against online reading as real reading. This award-winning author has a unique ability to transport the reader into the very heart of his stories and make you feel as if you are really there, living out the events along with his characters. His 1776 is a masterpiece of American History literature yet I doubt I would have appreciated it as much had I read it off a Nook. Online reading is so cold and impersonal that I highly doubt it could achieve the same effect as holding the book in my hands.
Thanks for the great post, Im glad you agree with me on my thoughts that reading from a book is actual reading not from the internet. I like how you stated that it is "cold", I never thought of it that way but now that you have said it I can see it as very impersonal.
DeleteJason F,
ReplyDelete1. I think incorporating the internet in my class will be as vital as the lesson plans I create. I would like to teach in one of these new age schools that are up to date and have smart boards. I am looking forward to teaching in the new age but not all schools are up to date with technology in every class or even a computer lab. So the amount of technology I will offer the student’s will vary but how I will incorporate it into my lesson plan may not change. I would like to have some lessons online on sites such as Weebly, and if projector and computer screens are not offer then I will improvise. Use my own lap top and an Apple projector to show some lessons. I would like to use YouTube video’s other student’s have made to encourage the student’s to do one of their own for a final project. I want to have fun and interesting lesson plans and the internet can greatly assist with that.
2. I think the point the book was making was that reading online is not considered reading because a lot of what is read is public forums and chat room material. Reading is reading if you ask me and as long as their mind is being stimulated, some stimulation is better then none. Of course the richer the material the more thought provoking questions they can form but it’s a start if their reading something. As a prospective English teacher I wrestle with this point, printed books or digital and I have come to a conclusion. I will let the student’s decide. Just because a physical book is more appealing to me then scrolling online does not mean that works for everyone. As long as the material is read, I do not care which forum they use; digital or physical copies.
3. I do not think I am IT fluent but I can get around. At the moment I use the internet for my daily use but that is not to say I am IT fluent. I need to work on learning how to use the internet for school purposes and where to look for proper material as well. There are tons of sites for teacher’s I am not yet aware of and even more for online activities for students. This is something I need to work on and will continue to work on it as a professor.
I agree with you that teaching students to properly use the internet is a daunting task. Even if we are teaching older students, it is our job to make sure that they understand the porper ways to use the internet for research. I enjoyed the part of the textbook which described the different type of URLs. I feel that students and parents alike can use these URLs to figure out which website is credible and appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that being IT fluent is the ability to use the modern technologies available. The problem with technology is that it is always changing faster than I can master it. For this reason I do not feel I am IT fluent. Im hoping that this class makes me more comfortable using newer technology.
I am not sure whether I feel that online reading is really reading in the traditional sense. I understand that you are focused on something that is not a book or article but you are comprehending something new and learning new vocabulary. This is an interesting question.
Tatiana-
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post. I really enjoyed the way you formatted your thoughts on the readings with follow up questions. I am considering modeling my own future blog posts after this set-up. Nicely done. Additionally, I enjoy the questions you posed. I think they are contemplative and relevant without being too complex or abstract. Now, to answer you first set of questions: How will you, or how do you in your classrooms have your students use internet research? How will you teach them to use it properly? Lastly, will you only have your students use the Internet for academic research? In my classroom, I want to find a balance between authentic exploration and pre-established, guided internet research. I believe it is important to allow students to make discoveries on their own and navigate through large chunks of information in pursuit for what is of importance, but I am nervous that students would be able to easily get off track or navigate to inappropriate sites if given full freedom to roam the web. WebQuests and other teacher generated websites would help alleviate some of this straying. By composing a database of information that has be prescreened, students will still be able to explore the topic in depth and pertaining to their specific interests, all while being sure to navigate only to suitable sites. To answer you second set of questions: Do you believe that reading from the Internet is not really reading? Will you have your students read more from books or online?, I must disagree with the statement here. Reading on the internet or on a technological device is just as suitable as reading from a book. I use a Kindle Paper White as my main source of reading, and do not see how anything is lost by using this device as opposed to a traditional book. In fact, the device allows me to highlight text and make notations, just as I would in any other book. However, I do not usually like to mark up my paperback books, so this technology really enhances my reading experience by allowing me the both of best worlds. I understand that many people like to read from printed materials; I myself often print out articles I need to read for class instead of just reading them online, but much time, money, and resources are wasted because of this. In my classroom students will complete readings from both mediums, and we will adjust as needed to better suit their needs.
thank you for the compliment, and you may steal my format : )
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