Digital Badge # J-Chapter 5

Digital Badge #J-Chapter 5

This chapter examines the use of Internet for teaching, learning, and developing information literacy among K-12 students.  Students today need to be equipped with technology skills, to survive the digital world we have become.  Digital tools are updating daily and our students need to be aware of the available tools so that they are able to connect and create with the technology being introduced to them in the classroom.

The first section I found intriguing, was “Criteria for Evaluating Web Resources”.  In this section it gives support to educators when selecting a valuable and resourceful website.  It was stated that there are five ways to consider in determining the quality of a web resource.  The five ways are: accuracy, authority, objective, currency, and coverage.  First, accuracy is an overall reliability of the given information, while providing a clear description of who authored the site and for what purpose.  Second, authority displays the author’s credential, as well as the nature of the site. (i.e.: commercial or not for profit)  Third, objectivity is when the given information is fair and nonbiased and advertising is limited.  Fourth, currency is when the site was updated with new information, while clearly being noted.  Fifth, coverage is when the information on the site can be viewed without difficulty.  While the Internet community is available to all, anyone and anything can be published at anytime.  A vast number of resources are offered on every topic, which can be at times overwhelming while misleading information can be given.  We as future educators need to be aware of these five ways when selecting the best possible information to share.  If all five ways are confirmed, content will be informative and user friendly. 

The second section I found resourceful, was “Electronic Note-Taking”.  This method of learning can allow for computer technology to be able to help organize and expedite the process of precise note-taking.  Electronic note-taking can transfer ones writing and file/organize them into your computer so that it is easier to refer back to the content.  According to the text, Notestar seems to be a very common electronic note-taking tool.  It is an Internet-based electronic note-taking tool that can be used at the elementary and secondary levels.  Students can add this to their toolbar, so that it is easier to access while searching the web.  When a student discovers a useful resource, they can simply save this by clicking on the Notestar icon.  Another useful tool that I believe could be resourceful is OneNote.  This tool is a commercial software program/app available to all Macs and PC computers.  It serves as a digital notebook and can contain various types of data with the simple click of a mouse.  It also has the capability of recording your voice while notes are being taken.  Lastly, PaperHelper is an interesting tool that I believe could be useful while using a PC.  It provides the user with a split screen, where on half of the screen it displays the Internet and on the other half it will show the notes taken.  As an inspiring teacher, I believe that these resourceful tools are a creative way where students are able to incorporate technology when taking notes in the classroom. 

Teachers can incorporate digital note-taking in the classroom to enhance their student's technical learning.

Photo credited to samsungtomorrow on Flickr

The third section I believed to be helpful for both teachers and to students was “Strategies for Preventing Plagiarism and Cheating”.  It was stated in the text that there are various strategies to decipher if students are using material without being cited.  Students need to be aware of what can cause plagiarism.  An educator may teach their students that plagiarism is when one uses another person's words or ideas without giving credit to the other person.  Some of the strategies a teacher can use to help implement awareness are: provide them with the proper way of citing, require rough drafts, create unique assignments, and inform them with support services.  Teachers may be faced with students cheating.  At the elementary level, students typically sit and take assessments/tests with their "privacy" folders.  This can allow a student to work independently while they are restricted to their work space, only.  Other teachers may stagger their student desks while it is time to test.  As most teachers wish that they are not faced with the difficulties of catching one of their students plagiarizing, they need to be aware of the precautions and signs to look for.  

"This video shares some enlightening information for both teachers and students."

References

How to prevent plagiarism - Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation - Carnegie Mellon University. (n.d.). How to prevent plagiarism - Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation - Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies/writing/preventplagiarism.html

Integrating Technology into the Classroom. (n.d.). US News. Retrieved October 20, 2014, from http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2012/01/25/3-tips-on-integrating-technology-in-the-classroom

Trash or Treasure: Teaching Students How to Evaluate Internet Resources. (n.d.). Teaching Students How to Evaluate Internet Resources. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/issues/tips/trash_treasure/index.html