Friday, May 4, 2012

WebQuest

Green School

Finally it is finished and refined. I think it is a motivating concept and that students will really enjoy the project. I especially like how the tasks have a group and individual component. The students will be offered the ability to specialize yet still learn about the different areas of the project. Working with students of a similar interest they can become specialists and work together to explore their concept. After the research is complete they can then join their school team as the specialist. The group writing tasks requires everyone to collaborate and gain an understanding of the complete project.

Wiki Changes and Edits

Edits to Clare’s Geocaching Wiki Page by KatLeitch and gmitesses
Geocaching edited ... A Sport for Every Generation A new sport i... KatLeitch 6:53 pm
Geocaching edited ... Geocaching A Sport for Every Generation ... t.KatLeitch 6:44 pm
Geocaching edited ... Geocaching A Sport for Every Generation ... gmitesser 5:23 pm
CacheSg8.jpg uploaded  gmitesser 5:19 pm
locknlock.png uploaded  gmitesser 5:16 pm
matchstick.jpeg uploaded  gmitesser 5:12 pm
bisontube.jpg uploaded gmitesser 5:09 pm
nano.jpg uploaded gmitesser 5:06 pm


Clare’s Edits to Wiki Pages
Wikis edited ... Another idea is to use a wiki ….claretaylor05
iPad-iTouch edited (view changes)claretaylor05
iPad-iTouch edited ... in the Classroom Technical claretaylor05
Prezi edited ... Educational Uses Prezi can be used in a variety..claretaylor05
Google Docs edited ... See revision history Access from …...claretaylor05
iPad-iTouch edited ... This website lists useful educational apps alon... claretaylor05

On-Line Safety and Security

A code of ethics has a heightened importance in a technological world. The ease of access and the solitude of computer work increases the temptation to take intellectual property off the internet. In an education environment it is even more critical that children are taught safety and security rules early in their school years and often. The Internet is analogous to trying to teach in a candy store in this respect and children can be easily tempted to take and be detracted from learning. The district technology safety and security policy needs to include a complete summary of what is allowed and not allowed. The challenge is that as fast as the content changes no policy can cover everything. The policy also has to be reviewed often and all teachers need to be familiar with its contents.

When I worked in broadcasting licences to music, photo and graphic libraries were purchased by the TV station and we were under strict regulations to stay withing the legal rights we purchased. It is important that we protect the intellectual property of everyone who publishes. The online access to music, photos and movies offers access to many who are not educated in the legal issues of copyright and fair use. In fields that specialize in multi-media it is common knowledge but not so in other professions. The Creative Commons site offers education and a rating system that can be easily understood. The different licence offer levels of access and credit that creates an honor system that is easy to abide by. My student are aware of copyright law but they have to be reminded often to site sources. I have a lot of problems with their use of graphics, pictures and clip art. They will forget to cite or incorrectly cite Google as their source and not the original source where Google pulled in the graphic.

An online security filter or blocking needs to be in place in all schools. Years ago the filters were very strict and it was difficult to freely surf on the net. As restrictions are lifted more responsibility is placed on the teacher and student to act responsibly on line. Just today we had a presentation by our community police officer on Internet safety. I am glad that my district is actively education my students but I am concerned at the lack of education their parents receive. The district offers workshops and classes for parents but not many take advantage of this. Parents are not as aware of what their children can access and are not able to keep ahead of the technology pace that their children are moving. That is why it is critical that the moral issues are discussed and taught to all school children. The access students have to information and the access the internet users have to our children is daunting, The ability to discern right from wrong, good from bad and truth from fiction is critical today and teachers are key to this education when it comes to internet use.