I was interested in the information about copyright laws and the practice of fair use for educators. I did not know about fair use before taking this course. I know now that I can use copyrighted materials without permission or payment to the author/originator if the social and cultural benefits are predominant. The example used in the class of the artist who mocked up a newspaper image of B. Obama which became a huge sensation around the country made this a bit clear to me.
I also thought that the develpment of creative commons was interesting and also very useful. I like that it eliminates getting permission from the originator or making payments to them in some cases is no longer needed if the originator agrees to release dome of those rights.
I was also interested to see the many websites, such as Flickr, that offer free pictures for use, with the attributions, w/out violating any copyright laws.
I do think this is important to discuss in MILI. I have felt that I have violated the copyright laws when using materials in class in the past, but after reviewing the code of best practices I feel much better. I don't believe I was in violation of the code (at least most of the time.)
I guess the experiences relate to the use of videos/DVD's (a few were taped at home and not purchased -- which is probably not ok) and, more often, using newspaper/magazine articles for use in the classroom. I think that I have used attributions for these materials in most cases. I will be more diligent in the future about doing this.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thing #7
I spent some time looking at the different search engines and how they are alike/different. First of all, I didn't know that most of them existed! Beyond Google and Yahoo, I had heard of Dogpile from my husband, but the other search engines were new to me.
A few observations:
Each of the search engines had a different way of displaying results. This was interesting. I was used to the lists posted on Google and Yahoo, but I thought some of the other sites were more creative. Kartoo displayed their results using a web-type graphic, Search Me displayed its results like pages in a book. The one I liked the best was Viewzi, which displayed results across the page, giving each result its own "square" with a picture and heading.
I experimented with several of these search engines by putting in the same search term/phrase to see what the results would be. Once again, each one had different results. Once again, I liked the results displayed by Viewzi the best. I was looking for background information on Obama's cabinet members (I like to talk to students about the "spoils system" in the White House office v. the Cabinet.) Viewzi's results were from what I would have considered more reputable newspapers, websites, etc. For example one of the top results was from the New York Times, and it had exactly what I was looking for. Using the same search phrase with Search Me, I got an article from the Flint Times as one of the top results, and another result was a sight called "The Obama File", which is completely devoted to discrediting the President. The sight discusses how Obama is not a natural born citizen, how he has a lot of skeletons in his closet but that know one knows about because he has a team of people who have erased any trace of this info. from the web and all other sources. Anyway, I was really turned off by this.
I also took a look at Polycom.com where you can do a search using two search engines at once. I thought this was very ingenious! I did the same search on Obama's cabinet and could see the difference in the results on the same screen.
Beyond that, I did take a look at the articles and graphs that compared the various search engines,but I did not take away as much from this. I am still a little overwhelmed at the volume of information available for each topic we have covered from month to month, so the speed of one search engine versus another isn't a big deal to me.
I will definitely check out some of these different search engines more. I want to see which ones will provide me with the best results for my needs.
A few observations:
Each of the search engines had a different way of displaying results. This was interesting. I was used to the lists posted on Google and Yahoo, but I thought some of the other sites were more creative. Kartoo displayed their results using a web-type graphic, Search Me displayed its results like pages in a book. The one I liked the best was Viewzi, which displayed results across the page, giving each result its own "square" with a picture and heading.
I experimented with several of these search engines by putting in the same search term/phrase to see what the results would be. Once again, each one had different results. Once again, I liked the results displayed by Viewzi the best. I was looking for background information on Obama's cabinet members (I like to talk to students about the "spoils system" in the White House office v. the Cabinet.) Viewzi's results were from what I would have considered more reputable newspapers, websites, etc. For example one of the top results was from the New York Times, and it had exactly what I was looking for. Using the same search phrase with Search Me, I got an article from the Flint Times as one of the top results, and another result was a sight called "The Obama File", which is completely devoted to discrediting the President. The sight discusses how Obama is not a natural born citizen, how he has a lot of skeletons in his closet but that know one knows about because he has a team of people who have erased any trace of this info. from the web and all other sources. Anyway, I was really turned off by this.
I also took a look at Polycom.com where you can do a search using two search engines at once. I thought this was very ingenious! I did the same search on Obama's cabinet and could see the difference in the results on the same screen.
Beyond that, I did take a look at the articles and graphs that compared the various search engines,but I did not take away as much from this. I am still a little overwhelmed at the volume of information available for each topic we have covered from month to month, so the speed of one search engine versus another isn't a big deal to me.
I will definitely check out some of these different search engines more. I want to see which ones will provide me with the best results for my needs.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Google Docs powerpoint
Since I learned about how Google Docs works, and how easy it is for two or more people to collaborate on a project, I have been asking students to use google docs when creating powerpoint presentations. Students say it is easy and it is helpful, so I thought I would give it a try. I have only transferred a small portion of my class notes for the various coursed I teach into powerpoints, so when I did decide to make a powerpoint last week, I thought I would use Google Docs. Much to my surprise, I could not figure out how to import graphs, pictures, etc. Now I know I am technically challenged, to say the least, and I haven't used powerpoints that much, but the previous ones I had created, I was able to navigate these aspects pretty easily. Anyway, true to my form, and under some time restraints, I abandoned Google Docs, and went to a template I found of of MSN. I am sure that with a little more time and effort, it would have worked out, but I was frustrated. If there is any quick way to point out the mechanics of this it would be appreciated!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thing #6
1. Do you think using Google Docs can improve your productivity?
I read the article that discussed marking papers using google documents and came away rather conflicted as to whether or not it would improve productivity. Also, the article would probably best apply to english teachers. While I do assign essays periodically, because of time restraints, I do not have them submit drafts that are reviewed by myself prior to the final paper being handed in. The writer also commented that time is an issue: it seems tht it takes more time to correct/give feedback on papers through this method than the tradisional method. The author also felt that because the feedback was immediate, that it benefited the students. I think that the more one works with this tool and learns how to organize the marked v. ummarked papers, etc. that the benefits would outweigh the costs.
2. Tell us some ways you have used google docs to collaborate with others.
I think this is a good tool that I am glad to know about. It seems pretty straight forward and makes a lot of sense when students are working together on a project. I have introduced google docs to a few classes this year. I feel that it has helped them create presentations with more ease than the traditional methods (emailing back and forth.) I have not used it individually to collaborate with others, however. I need to play around with this so that when I assign future projects sctudens can benefit more and I can provide some feedback during the process of creating the document. There are some tips for teachers on this "Thing" that I am going to print off and review for later use.
3. Have you participated in a Wiki? Tell us about it.
The only wiki I have participated in is this one for the MILI class. I honestly didn't know what a wiki was before taking this class.
4. Have you created a wiki for group use? Why? How did it go?
Rachel Harvieux and I created on several months back to give the social studies department a forum to discuss issues together. We did use it for a few weeks, but eventually reverted back to emailing each other, so I would have to say that it didn't work out as well as planned.
I read the article that discussed marking papers using google documents and came away rather conflicted as to whether or not it would improve productivity. Also, the article would probably best apply to english teachers. While I do assign essays periodically, because of time restraints, I do not have them submit drafts that are reviewed by myself prior to the final paper being handed in. The writer also commented that time is an issue: it seems tht it takes more time to correct/give feedback on papers through this method than the tradisional method. The author also felt that because the feedback was immediate, that it benefited the students. I think that the more one works with this tool and learns how to organize the marked v. ummarked papers, etc. that the benefits would outweigh the costs.
2. Tell us some ways you have used google docs to collaborate with others.
I think this is a good tool that I am glad to know about. It seems pretty straight forward and makes a lot of sense when students are working together on a project. I have introduced google docs to a few classes this year. I feel that it has helped them create presentations with more ease than the traditional methods (emailing back and forth.) I have not used it individually to collaborate with others, however. I need to play around with this so that when I assign future projects sctudens can benefit more and I can provide some feedback during the process of creating the document. There are some tips for teachers on this "Thing" that I am going to print off and review for later use.
3. Have you participated in a Wiki? Tell us about it.
The only wiki I have participated in is this one for the MILI class. I honestly didn't know what a wiki was before taking this class.
4. Have you created a wiki for group use? Why? How did it go?
Rachel Harvieux and I created on several months back to give the social studies department a forum to discuss issues together. We did use it for a few weeks, but eventually reverted back to emailing each other, so I would have to say that it didn't work out as well as planned.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Thing #5 Libraries
1. What is your experience with public libraries?
I had a public library a few blocks from my house as I was growing up. I used it quite a bit. These were the days before comuputers. In college I worked at one of the Univ. of Minnesota's libraries, which I loved. I learned the dewey decimal system quite well and also checked out books to users, etc. Once again, there was no internet service, so we had the little cards we placed in the back of the book that indicated the due date. I did become aware of the interlibrary loan service and also Minitex through my work at the library and subsequently used these services when I wrote some of my research papers.
Today, I still use the library in my neighborhood (for my chilren mostly.) Although, they have many more books at home than I did when I was a kid. A few weeks ago we were there and my ten year old son informed me as we were leaving that he had ordered two books from another library. I was impressed that he had navigated that without my help. The books arrived within the week as well!
2. What would you improve about your library card and its services?
It is hard to say. They are valid in all of Minnesota (am I right?), or at least where I would need to get a book or service (that would be Hennepin, Ramsey or Carver counties. And through this class I have become aware of the many online services that are available to me. There seem to be so many different ways to access information from the various state libraries, and university services that I could spend a year trying them all out. I guess the one thing that is worrisome to me is the reduction of library hours during the tough budget times over the last few years. This is when people use the libraries even more, and many users need to use the computers and internet service available, indicating that they do not have internet access at home.
3. How do you use the public library to support your teaching?
I have not used them enough. In the past, when a research paper of some sort was assigned, I would encourage students to use their local libararies to find books, since sometimes there were not enough in the Chaska High library to go around. I have used them to check out videos for use in class,as well as particular magazines and magazine articles for use in class as well. I have not used the many online sources of information as well as I could have.
4. How will you use MnLINK to help your students?
I think that exposing MNlink to my students will provide them with another valuable tool to use to access materials for projects without having to worry about whether or not a particular book is checked out.
5. How can you help students plan for ILL for completing their projects?
Under the current block scheduling at Chaska, I think that it is difficult for them to use ILL for projects, since the timelines on projects are so quick. I foresee a better opportunity next year, when we transition to a 7 period day. Even then, I think that students should be exposed to this at the beginning of the school year. I think that it should be included in presentations the media specialists do when they introduce students to the various online resources, and reinforced as teachers assign research projects throughout the school year.
6. Have you used MnLINK before? No, I am sorry to say that I have not used this service before.
I had a public library a few blocks from my house as I was growing up. I used it quite a bit. These were the days before comuputers. In college I worked at one of the Univ. of Minnesota's libraries, which I loved. I learned the dewey decimal system quite well and also checked out books to users, etc. Once again, there was no internet service, so we had the little cards we placed in the back of the book that indicated the due date. I did become aware of the interlibrary loan service and also Minitex through my work at the library and subsequently used these services when I wrote some of my research papers.
Today, I still use the library in my neighborhood (for my chilren mostly.) Although, they have many more books at home than I did when I was a kid. A few weeks ago we were there and my ten year old son informed me as we were leaving that he had ordered two books from another library. I was impressed that he had navigated that without my help. The books arrived within the week as well!
2. What would you improve about your library card and its services?
It is hard to say. They are valid in all of Minnesota (am I right?), or at least where I would need to get a book or service (that would be Hennepin, Ramsey or Carver counties. And through this class I have become aware of the many online services that are available to me. There seem to be so many different ways to access information from the various state libraries, and university services that I could spend a year trying them all out. I guess the one thing that is worrisome to me is the reduction of library hours during the tough budget times over the last few years. This is when people use the libraries even more, and many users need to use the computers and internet service available, indicating that they do not have internet access at home.
3. How do you use the public library to support your teaching?
I have not used them enough. In the past, when a research paper of some sort was assigned, I would encourage students to use their local libararies to find books, since sometimes there were not enough in the Chaska High library to go around. I have used them to check out videos for use in class,as well as particular magazines and magazine articles for use in class as well. I have not used the many online sources of information as well as I could have.
4. How will you use MnLINK to help your students?
I think that exposing MNlink to my students will provide them with another valuable tool to use to access materials for projects without having to worry about whether or not a particular book is checked out.
5. How can you help students plan for ILL for completing their projects?
Under the current block scheduling at Chaska, I think that it is difficult for them to use ILL for projects, since the timelines on projects are so quick. I foresee a better opportunity next year, when we transition to a 7 period day. Even then, I think that students should be exposed to this at the beginning of the school year. I think that it should be included in presentations the media specialists do when they introduce students to the various online resources, and reinforced as teachers assign research projects throughout the school year.
6. Have you used MnLINK before? No, I am sorry to say that I have not used this service before.
One result of taking the MILI class for me is that I have become more tune to the various technology tools -- or should I say Web 2.0 tools -- that are available today. Just this week I read an article in Time magazine about the social networking site Twitter, and then yesterday in the Star Tribune there was another article discussing it. I find that I pay more attention to these articles as a result of this class. I can also better understand how it works and how they interact with other web 2.0 tools. According to the Star Tribune article, this online service was created in 2006, and it is already the 3rd most popular social networking site behind My Space and Facebook. Time magazine said that Twitter grew by 900% last year. The Dali Lama twitters, as does Barak Obama, and apparently dozens of members of Congress (Time Magazine.) The service is free through the twitter website, and you can write messages that are 140 characters long. It's like a mini blog that can be accessed through your ipod (and I am sure a number of other methods.) According to a comment someone put on the Star Tribune website regarding the article, when you "tweet" this also automatically updates your Facebook page as well. Amazing.
As popular as it is, I do wonder whether or not it is contributing to a better society. In the Star Tribune article one twitter user said "It means you can follow or be somewhat intimate with people without needing to directly engage them." I find this aspect of Twitter and other social networking tools worrisome. It seems very voyeuristic. Does this replace personal contact and engagement with other people?
I would not call this an AHA moment, but I do feel much better informed and in touch with the lingo and logistics of these web 2.0 tools, and the more I read and listen to others the more I realize how widespread their use is.
As popular as it is, I do wonder whether or not it is contributing to a better society. In the Star Tribune article one twitter user said "It means you can follow or be somewhat intimate with people without needing to directly engage them." I find this aspect of Twitter and other social networking tools worrisome. It seems very voyeuristic. Does this replace personal contact and engagement with other people?
I would not call this an AHA moment, but I do feel much better informed and in touch with the lingo and logistics of these web 2.0 tools, and the more I read and listen to others the more I realize how widespread their use is.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
I just read N. Flom's last blog and felt a bit better, because I am in the same shoes as she seems to be. I have not been blogging much at all. I hope to make this the beginning of a very regular blogging routine. The fact that I have not been blogging does not mean that I don't find the MILI class enriching or informatif. In fact, it has expanded my awareness of the vast and varied web tools and lingo that I knew was there, but did not take the time to investigate or educate myself about.
About a month or two ago, while searching the web (I think it was during a MILI Wed. class) I came across a great blog that was devoted to teaching AP government and politics. It had lots of info on teaching tips, lessons and readings for the course. Unfortunately, I did not save it into any file (such as a favorites list) and now I cannot find it anywhere on the web. I wonder if I need to be looking for it while using a specific web tool, or if it could have been taken down? I am very puzzled by this. Anyway,it is a frustration for me, for I thought I was making some progress.
I will continue to search and try to keep my blogging efforts up in the future.
Until next week,
Carrie
About a month or two ago, while searching the web (I think it was during a MILI Wed. class) I came across a great blog that was devoted to teaching AP government and politics. It had lots of info on teaching tips, lessons and readings for the course. Unfortunately, I did not save it into any file (such as a favorites list) and now I cannot find it anywhere on the web. I wonder if I need to be looking for it while using a specific web tool, or if it could have been taken down? I am very puzzled by this. Anyway,it is a frustration for me, for I thought I was making some progress.
I will continue to search and try to keep my blogging efforts up in the future.
Until next week,
Carrie
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Thing #4 questions
1. Which customizeable homepage did you use? Why did that appeal to you? Will you make it your permanent homepage?
I used igoogle. I choose it for two reasons. One, it is private. I am not sure of the implications of not being private on the other sights, but I do know that I have no desire to share or give access to this to anyone else. I know there is nothing on there that is in any way objecionable or "private" to me, but I prefer to keep as low a profile online as possible. It was also the most logical to me to use another google product. It will be easier for me to remember and access, it think. I liked how easy it was to set up, but I am not sure if I set up the homepage address correctly. I am going to try to ask for assistance on this at the next Wednesday meeting. I also liked the overall look and information that I choose to display. I really would like to have this homepage.
2. Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at school or home?
I am not sure what kinds of tools you are thinking of, but I did find a few that will be helpful. I like the to do list that is going on the igoogle homepage. It looks like it is very easy to use. I find that when I write things down I have a much greater chance of remembering it. I also found a number of feeds that will let me know what important events happened in history each day. I think that could be helpful to me as a U.S. History teacher. I want to tell students what was significant about certain days during the year, and this will be a great source and handy reminder of these events. Some of the feeds also offered videos relating to the event as part of the feed. I didn't have time to explore this as well as I would have liked, and I am not sure if I have the capacity to download them on my home computer, so I am going to try when I return to school.
3. How can the online calendar be useful to you?
I think this could help me remember what obligations I have on a given day. What I need to do is to commit to adding in the events each time I need to and then checking the calendar each day. But definitely a good organizational tool.
4. What about the do do lists. Helpful or too much work?
The one that I added to the igoogle homepage doesn't look very difficult or time consuming, but knowing myself, I may not remember to use it as often as I should.
5. How would you compare and contrast the use of paper-based assignments and assignment notebooks to the potential use of online assignment calculators and to do lists for students?
I think the online assignment calculators have the greater potential of giving students access to their work more efficiently than paper assignments. Most students are so connected to the web that they would have no problems accessing the assignments and would appreciate it. It is also helpful if a student is not in class on a particular day and wants to see what assignments they missed, etc. It would not work for all students, however, especially those who do not have computers at home. This is important to remember. Computers and Internet access cost money!! The economy is down, and I read recently that many people are cancelling their high speed Internet access to save money and are lining up at the doors of libraries in the morning to get access to Internet service offered there. I know that many teachers are already doing this for their students and I am sure it will be required of teachers in the near future.
1. Which customizeable homepage did you use? Why did that appeal to you? Will you make it your permanent homepage?
I used igoogle. I choose it for two reasons. One, it is private. I am not sure of the implications of not being private on the other sights, but I do know that I have no desire to share or give access to this to anyone else. I know there is nothing on there that is in any way objecionable or "private" to me, but I prefer to keep as low a profile online as possible. It was also the most logical to me to use another google product. It will be easier for me to remember and access, it think. I liked how easy it was to set up, but I am not sure if I set up the homepage address correctly. I am going to try to ask for assistance on this at the next Wednesday meeting. I also liked the overall look and information that I choose to display. I really would like to have this homepage.
2. Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at school or home?
I am not sure what kinds of tools you are thinking of, but I did find a few that will be helpful. I like the to do list that is going on the igoogle homepage. It looks like it is very easy to use. I find that when I write things down I have a much greater chance of remembering it. I also found a number of feeds that will let me know what important events happened in history each day. I think that could be helpful to me as a U.S. History teacher. I want to tell students what was significant about certain days during the year, and this will be a great source and handy reminder of these events. Some of the feeds also offered videos relating to the event as part of the feed. I didn't have time to explore this as well as I would have liked, and I am not sure if I have the capacity to download them on my home computer, so I am going to try when I return to school.
3. How can the online calendar be useful to you?
I think this could help me remember what obligations I have on a given day. What I need to do is to commit to adding in the events each time I need to and then checking the calendar each day. But definitely a good organizational tool.
4. What about the do do lists. Helpful or too much work?
The one that I added to the igoogle homepage doesn't look very difficult or time consuming, but knowing myself, I may not remember to use it as often as I should.
5. How would you compare and contrast the use of paper-based assignments and assignment notebooks to the potential use of online assignment calculators and to do lists for students?
I think the online assignment calculators have the greater potential of giving students access to their work more efficiently than paper assignments. Most students are so connected to the web that they would have no problems accessing the assignments and would appreciate it. It is also helpful if a student is not in class on a particular day and wants to see what assignments they missed, etc. It would not work for all students, however, especially those who do not have computers at home. This is important to remember. Computers and Internet access cost money!! The economy is down, and I read recently that many people are cancelling their high speed Internet access to save money and are lining up at the doors of libraries in the morning to get access to Internet service offered there. I know that many teachers are already doing this for their students and I am sure it will be required of teachers in the near future.
Thing #3 Questions:
1. What is easy for you about teaching research?
I like students to do independent research. It gives them a chance to focus to delve deeper into issues of interest that I do not have time to teach (I speak specifically about U.S. History. A very crowded curriculum.) I always go into it thinking this is just what the students want and need: time to work independently and learn something on their own.
But I come away from it (Q. #2: What are the challenges) many times frustrated. My biggest disappointment is that so many have no intellectual curiosity. Internet tools such as Wikpedia, Infoplease, etc. have made it too easy to find information on a person or topic. They do not care to check for accuracy of information, because they believe whatever is said over the internet.
3. How might the RPC Teacher Guide help you plan and manage research projects?
I think it will help a great deal. I am working on a project for U.S. History where a group of students research a decade in the 20th century and prepare a presentation on it. I want to use the RPC to help students develop a unique thesis question on the decade they have chosen, so as to make the final product more authentic. I think that I will also use other tools offered by the RPC to guide them in the 5 steps of the rsearch process. I haven't finished this yet, but I am working on it and will report other tools I use.
4. How can you keep the planning, teaching, and managing of research projects sane for you as a teacher?
That is a good question. When students are given researh projects, I used to think that it would be great for me, because I would be free to do other work as they researched. Of course I was sooooo wrong! I think the best way to keep it sane is to plan the project well. I need to have timelines for student work to be completed, provide more oversight into the work they are doing to ensure that quality research is being done, and provide more clearly articulated expectations from the beginning. Students need to know what is expected of them and how they are going to be able to access the information and other tools necessary to complete the project. I think this will help me a lot.
5. What additional support or resources do you need to be successful in this area of information literacy?
I need to talk more to the media specialist about my plans and see what she has to offer. As a result of this class, I can see that there is a wealth of resources; now the trick is to identify which resources are best to help me in this project.
1. What is easy for you about teaching research?
I like students to do independent research. It gives them a chance to focus to delve deeper into issues of interest that I do not have time to teach (I speak specifically about U.S. History. A very crowded curriculum.) I always go into it thinking this is just what the students want and need: time to work independently and learn something on their own.
But I come away from it (Q. #2: What are the challenges) many times frustrated. My biggest disappointment is that so many have no intellectual curiosity. Internet tools such as Wikpedia, Infoplease, etc. have made it too easy to find information on a person or topic. They do not care to check for accuracy of information, because they believe whatever is said over the internet.
3. How might the RPC Teacher Guide help you plan and manage research projects?
I think it will help a great deal. I am working on a project for U.S. History where a group of students research a decade in the 20th century and prepare a presentation on it. I want to use the RPC to help students develop a unique thesis question on the decade they have chosen, so as to make the final product more authentic. I think that I will also use other tools offered by the RPC to guide them in the 5 steps of the rsearch process. I haven't finished this yet, but I am working on it and will report other tools I use.
4. How can you keep the planning, teaching, and managing of research projects sane for you as a teacher?
That is a good question. When students are given researh projects, I used to think that it would be great for me, because I would be free to do other work as they researched. Of course I was sooooo wrong! I think the best way to keep it sane is to plan the project well. I need to have timelines for student work to be completed, provide more oversight into the work they are doing to ensure that quality research is being done, and provide more clearly articulated expectations from the beginning. Students need to know what is expected of them and how they are going to be able to access the information and other tools necessary to complete the project. I think this will help me a lot.
5. What additional support or resources do you need to be successful in this area of information literacy?
I need to talk more to the media specialist about my plans and see what she has to offer. As a result of this class, I can see that there is a wealth of resources; now the trick is to identify which resources are best to help me in this project.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)