The article I read is called "What is a Wiki?". It defines wiki as "a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser". At the end, it states that the first wiki created was for the Portland Pattern Repository in 1995 and includes links to other wiki sites.
It relates to teaching by allowing students, or teachers, to go into the site and broaden the meaning of a word. As the years go by, the meanings of certain words change or have an extended meaning that may be too new for others to know. With the use of a website such as Wikipedia, you can include the new meaning or change a current meaning that no longer fits the word.
I have mixed emotions for websites such as these. It is good in the sense that you can broaden a meaning but it also allows one to go and completely change the meaning of a word all together. For instance, I could go to one of these websites and change the sound a cat makes to "woof", and say a dog makes the sound "meow". I am sure the creator had good intentions when he invented it but I am just not sold on the idea yet.
I will have to do further research of my own on this subject to see if it is something I would encourage my students to use. I like that it lets you extend the meaning of a word but not that you can change the meaning all together.
http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Blogs
The article I read is titled: "Top 100 Education Blogs". It begins by stating that education blogs are becoming a new way to interact. It includes a list of blog categories that range from College to Technology that includes what the website finds to be the top 100.
Blogging relates to teaching because for one, it is something that can be done anywhere in the world, and in just about any location as long as you have Internet connection. It connects you to people that may be half way around the world and is a link to other people that feel the same as you on a certain subject or gives a written understanding of the opposing side. Also, blogs that are public can be viewed by anyone and is a helping tool if your stuck on something and need some advice on the matter. It can be beneficial for teachers that, for instance, are in a field with limited colleagues of the same subject and they need help with an assignment, all they have to do is log onto a blog site, and write out their problem. The only set back is that it may take awhile for the feedback to reach you.
In my opinion, blogs are very beneficial, not only to teachers but also to parents, classmates and many other people. It connects you to a world that you may not of known otherwise. Some of the setbacks, though, include anyone being able to view your opinion and work, and not always getting an answer right when you need it.
I never really considered blogs until this class but finding out more information would definitely be interesting to me. It opens up more opportunities for information than the ordinary face-to-face relations.
http://oedb.org/library/features/top-100-education-blogs
Blogging relates to teaching because for one, it is something that can be done anywhere in the world, and in just about any location as long as you have Internet connection. It connects you to people that may be half way around the world and is a link to other people that feel the same as you on a certain subject or gives a written understanding of the opposing side. Also, blogs that are public can be viewed by anyone and is a helping tool if your stuck on something and need some advice on the matter. It can be beneficial for teachers that, for instance, are in a field with limited colleagues of the same subject and they need help with an assignment, all they have to do is log onto a blog site, and write out their problem. The only set back is that it may take awhile for the feedback to reach you.
In my opinion, blogs are very beneficial, not only to teachers but also to parents, classmates and many other people. It connects you to a world that you may not of known otherwise. Some of the setbacks, though, include anyone being able to view your opinion and work, and not always getting an answer right when you need it.
I never really considered blogs until this class but finding out more information would definitely be interesting to me. It opens up more opportunities for information than the ordinary face-to-face relations.
http://oedb.org/library/features/top-100-education-blogs
Friday, January 18, 2008
Virtual Field Trip
The article I found is titled "The Nine Planet Solar System". The article begins by informing us that there is now officially only eight planets. It includes links such as "observatories" which directs the viewer to another page that has a list of telescopic observations that scientists have made, and a content page with links to the eight planets with pictures, and other information about them.
This technology can be very valuable to students. They can get a sense of a place, such as the Solar System, that they may never get the opportunity to see other wise. Also, some of the virtual field trips are made by students and other students can relate better when it is created by one of their peers.
With school only in session for approximately 8 hours a day, many teachers may feel like they do not have the time to get information across to their students, and encourage out of school learning. With websites such as the virtual field trips, students get to have a fun, interactive tool that, in my opinion, is more beneficial and interesting right at their finger tips. It also gives students a chance to visit a place that they may be nervous or scared about and can put them at ease.
The teacher can benefit from virtual field trips too. Schools have a certain criteria of what is appropriate for their students and by 'visiting' the place ahead of time, everyone, including parents, get a better idea of what their children will be exposed to.
This assignment has definately stuck my interest in finding out about places I can visit without spending money to do so, and will broaden my education. As a teacher, I will use this technology to my advantage to help better educate my future students.
http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/
This technology can be very valuable to students. They can get a sense of a place, such as the Solar System, that they may never get the opportunity to see other wise. Also, some of the virtual field trips are made by students and other students can relate better when it is created by one of their peers.
With school only in session for approximately 8 hours a day, many teachers may feel like they do not have the time to get information across to their students, and encourage out of school learning. With websites such as the virtual field trips, students get to have a fun, interactive tool that, in my opinion, is more beneficial and interesting right at their finger tips. It also gives students a chance to visit a place that they may be nervous or scared about and can put them at ease.
The teacher can benefit from virtual field trips too. Schools have a certain criteria of what is appropriate for their students and by 'visiting' the place ahead of time, everyone, including parents, get a better idea of what their children will be exposed to.
This assignment has definately stuck my interest in finding out about places I can visit without spending money to do so, and will broaden my education. As a teacher, I will use this technology to my advantage to help better educate my future students.
http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/
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