The
internet can be both a wonderful and scary place. I feel it is important while
introducing the internet and its wonders to young children to also show them
what to look out for and be careful of. It is also important to teach children
what a creditable site is compared to a made up site that might be baring
faulty information. This chapter also touches on the topic of plagiarism and
how children can unknowingly commit this act therefore we must educate them on
how to rightfully state the sources we use.
One section
of chapter 5 struck my interest in particular, the section called ‘Evaluating
Online Information.’ The reason this struck me is because up until college I
feel I was not able to properly assess how credible a website and its
information was. That I feel is an imperative skill to have to be a sufficient
internet user. I also feel that it is important that schools have certain web
pages blocked. There are so many negative and inappropriate sites that children
can accidently stumble upon it is important to keep them shelters from that
possibility and also to teach them safe search skills for when they further
their research at home. I also feel it is a good idea to conduct a list of
creditable and useful internet sites for students to use and keep them up on a
chart in the classroom or in their notebooks so when searching on their own
those websites come to mind first therefore they learn how to search properly
and efficiently.
I also had
the pleasure of reading the article, “Computers as Mindtools for Engaging
Learners in Critical Thinking,” by David H. Jonassen. Mr. Jonassen explained
how computers could be used as mindtools and I completely agree. There are a
bunch of databases and programs children can use to ‘engage learners in
critical thinking.’ This is important, therefore students will not only be
using the internet as a tool for research but also for a tool to broaden and
challenge their mind.
Questions:
1.
What are a few valid and useful websites you
would present to your students to use?
2.
Do you think there are more negative effects on
the use of the internet then positive or vise versa? What is your opinion on
this?
To answer question number 1, depending the age group and subject matter there are websites that can be presented to students that are creditable and useful.
ReplyDeleteElibrary Elementary is an online research tool for elementary students. students can find information pertaining to a specific topic or subject area.
infotopia is another safe search engine for children.
awesome library.org serves as a useful database to research information as well with a variety of websites.
The internet can be scary, especially with all the negative images of the "teenage boy and girl". i think the internet has more of a negative effect on teenagers than positive with the upcoming generations. the internet makes them self conscious and allows a lot of negative images of what they should look like and how they should act. too many kids feel like they have receive over 100 likes on a picture or they will think they look "ugly" or that no one likes them. unfortunately the internet can provide our students so many positive opportunities but i believe that the social media is ruining these opportunities.
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