Evaluating Websites

     This article focuses on the different ways teachers can and should incorporate websites and technology into the classroom.  I liked the comparisons between the two teachers to how you can incorporate technology in a basic way and then how it can be used in a way to enhance literacy learning.  The one teacher just replaced a computer to do things that they could easily do with pen and paper.  The other teacher showed a way for students to take literacy to the next level using video, sound, etc.  The students in her class seemed very self-directed, and the teacher acted as a guide to finding relevant information on the web.  The list and explanations of the variety of ways to use technology in the classroom will act as a great resource to come back to as I take on these projects in school.

     I work with a teacher that is not afraid to try new technologies with her students.  She likes to test the boundaries of the school restrictions and create a classroom in which they can thrive using all types of new technology.  She allows students to use the cell phones in class as resources, since there are not many computers in the class.  She of course had a long talk with them about her expectations and respecting the situation to create a good working environment.  I think the kids respond great to her way of teaching and are eager to try new projects that she throws at them.  The only downfall to this is that she can’t use all of her creative ideas because she has to spend time with them on the test taking aspect, so that they are used to formats that they will see on their test using only pen and paper.
- “Becoming Literate in the Technological Age: New Responsibilities and Tools for Teachers”

      “By retaining student attention on the content space, there is a greater likelihood that information will be examined in greater depth and as such, comprehension and retention of the information presented is much more probable.” (p.299)  From this I feel like the article is saying that teachers should provide students with reliable websites so that they do not get completely off task while exploring the vast world wide web.  I know that when I am just exploring Google on certain topics I can easily get completely off task by going from one website to another, and I am an adult with some self-control.  Websites contain so many different things that students can click on that they need some direction in order to get anything out of a website assignment.  That is why I LOVE the idea of WebQuests from last week because they go through a process step by step, and even though they are given the websites to choose from it is still them exploring websites on their own.  They choose what they want to read.  They decide what information they want to take from it. 

- “Acquisition of Information Online: Knowledge, Navigation and Learning Outcomes”