In this chapter the authors compare the internet to the
library of congress, which is considered the world’s largest library. But one difference
is that the internet contains a lot of materials of “questionable quality.”
Many students in the current system lack the knowledge to differentiate between
quality information and questionable information. There is a big difference between knowing how
to access information and how to assess information, and I personally think
this is where problems occur. Students know how to access information but they don’t
know how to proceed after that. According to the text 94% of high school
students use the internet for research for school assignments, which means
having information literacy is important more than ever before.
Information
Literacy should be a part of the curriculum because the modern students rely on
internet sites for everything, from using WebMD for self-diagnosis to googling
answers to homework assignments. Having
this immediate access to online information is great, but students need to
learn how to use this information accurately and appropriately to function in
our society. The ETS pilot study found
that only a few college and high school students demonstrated strong
information and media skills. This proves that our schools need to come up with
better ways to educate our students in terms of informational literacy. As
university of Wisconsin professor James Paul Gee stated “in the modern world,
print literacy is not enough” which is the scary truth that many students and
teachers are currently facing.
In David H.
Jonassen’s theory of constructivism he believes in the use of “mindtools” to
help engage students in activities that support critical thinking and problem
solving. When referring to mindtools he
believes that using different computer software programs as cognitive tools can
support critical thinking and problem solving. I definitely agree with his idea
of using these different soft wares. If
students can be better at critical thinking and problem solving this might help
them have more informational literacy skills to use and understand information
on the internet accurately.
Focus Questions
1. Do you think websites like Wikipedia should be banned and restricted from school computers?
2. Does the same form of intellectual and personal growth be developed when reading online compared to reading printed books?
I don't think websites like Wikipedia should be banned and restricted from school computers. I believe that teachers should show students how Wikipedia and other similar websites are not reliable sources. If students do not understand the unreliable sources, than how can they understand the reliable sources. It's a good lesson on comparing and contrasting reliable vs. unreliable sources. Wikipedia is also good in presenting bias as a writing skill for an English class.
ReplyDeleteNena, question two is great. I don't have a correct answer. Glenda found a really good article posted in her blog about reading online and reading printed books. You should check it out. I think we need to blend reading online and reading printed books because students develop both intellectually and personally. The article mentioned how students develop intellectually by reading online from blogs or other interactive websites. Reading printed books is more personal and independent. The internet allows students to converse their thoughts online. I never really thought about how the internet allows students to engage in conversation, but we're doing it right now. Our blogs are proof of intellectual and personal growth.
Nena, your questions about Wikipedia is an interesting one. I think Wikipedia is valuable in terms of putting one search term in the context of others. For example, you can use Wikipedia to determine the historical context of a particular event and help student's elicit their own background knowledge about a subject. As the context of Wikipedia are not reviewed by a publisher or peer-reviewed, it is not a valid or reliable source of information, but I believe can still be helpful in getting students started on a research task.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I think Wikipedia should be banned exactly but I think it proves a good teaching point. I feel its more important for us as educators to show the students that ANYTHING can be put online and how easily information can be spread and changed. It's important for them to know that not all online information is true. Teaching them more creditable sources would be better.
ReplyDeleteI don't think wikipedia should be banned from school computers. If anything, it can provide a decent overview of a topic and can provide a starting point for cross-referencing with other more reputable sites. To be honest, I have used wikipedia for exactly this purpose in the past, and while it is often derided as unreliable, some of the pages on that site are impressive in their scope and accuracy when I've compared them to other sources.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that Wikipedia should not be banned. I agree with Jennifer, Kaitlyn and Jason in terms that it proves a good teaching point that can be discussed in the classroom. students should be given examples of websites that are unreliable and websites that are suitable and peer-reviewed. It will help students carefully analyze websites and have a clearer understanding that not all websites are safe.
ReplyDelete