Double Entry Journal #5

“Communications networks, whether organized by the mobile phone or the Internet, are changing the scale, scope and dynamics of kids’ social worlds.”

I really think that this quote sums it up. I have found that it is not just the kids that are using social networks either, there are so many adults using them as well. This is something that I have seen while using a social network myself. My friends on facebook range in ages form 10 (my cousins children) to 60 (my father’s first cousins). The world of social interaction is changing all of societies ways of communication, not just that of kids!

“Children using the technology in public centers are generally from low-income families [Kaiser Family Foundation 2003], and their lack of access to technology and skill using it places them at a fundamental disadvantage in applying computers to complex tasks such as research, email or messaging [Levin & Arafeh 2002]. Access is an issue, for all kids are dependent upon the financial resources necessary to support the provision and use of computers, networks and mobile phones; but while access is necessary it is not sufficient to predict participation [Ba, et al 2001].”

I really felt that this quote hit close to home for me. I have grown up, still live, and teach in a rural county here in West Virginia. Majority of the students here in my county qualify for free or reduced lunch. The meals they receive at school are often the only ones they have throughout a day. Poverty and low SES are greatly affecting the children here in my area. I know that if the children are not being fed at home then the lack of access to technology has also got to be apparent. I never had a computer or internet in my home until I began college! I wasn’t from a “poor” family but we are so rural that it was still not available until then. Dial-up is still the only available internet service that is offered or available where I live. I would have to go to the public library during high school in order to work on research assignments or check my email. I really think that this is real problem that children are still facing today!!!

“Many of the findings about learning and digital media were conducted using technologies that are not optimized for learning, but could be. Secondly, many of the most exciting interventions involve empowering kids to design new media and new narratives, not just to consume them as found.”

I really feel that this quote makes perfect sense. This is what I feel I have been doing during this course. I have had the opportunity to have someone show me new ways to use technology that may also work in my classroom. As teachers, the more we learn, the more we can share!  

Wikipedia Activity-Post #2

Step Six: Click on the "Discussion Link" at the top of the Wikipedia Page. What does it mean that this article and its editors are subject to General Sanctions? (Blog posting) It means that all editors and articles must follow a set of rules that have been administered buy the community, as well as, the arbitration committee. In other words, there are a set a rules and consequences for the use of information that is placed in the Wikipedia site. Step Seven: Scroll down and read the section titled: Degree of consensus on warming and on causation. In the same blog posting as above, tell me what you learn about global warming as a result of reading this discussion? That the readers of Wikipedia, those that discuss the issues to be exact, are finding that there seems to be somewhat of a bias opinion about global warming and would like to see different opinions and theories put together so that readers can make up their own minds on how they feel about the issue. Step Eight: Click on the user Uncle Ed. Read his profile page. What kind of person is Uncle Ed. Read his Factoid section. What kind of person is "Uncle Ed"? I feel that he, in my opinion, is a cocky and arrogant kind of person. I say this because he brags about the things he has done while using Wikipedia over the years. I guess you could say that he is a “know it all”. What do you think his political affiliation (i.e. conservative, liberal, libertarian) are. Why? I would have to say that he is either a liberal or libertarian. I am not that great when it comes to politics but it seems as though he is open to the ideas of many different issues. What is his perspective on Global Warming? How do you know? He says that he has no position on global warming that he wants to share but feels that Wikipedia needs to be more open to other ideas and theories about the issue. Click on User Stephan_Schulz. What kind of person is Stephan Schultz? He is a person who is involved in the sciences and helps maintain valid and correct information on Wikipedia. What do you think his political affiliations are? Why? I am not sure where he stands politically. What is his perspective on Global Warming? How do you know? Reading his comments in the discussion, it seems as though he agrees that humans are the main cause of global warming. Step Nine: Complete the blog posting you started in step six by telling me what you learned about the validity of information from Wikipedia. How do think Wikipedia could be integrated into classroom activities. What you think about using Wikipedia instead of textbooks? Post an image that represents your views on Global Warming.

After completing this activity, I now feel that the information that is found in Wikipedia is much more valid that I had thought beforehand.  I think that Wikipedia could be used as a great starting point for students during research assignments. I am not sure how I feel about replacing textbooks with Wikipedia. As an art teacher, I feel that there is no use for textbooks in my classroom…it is my job to provide my students with the information, images, etc…that they need in order to be successful in my classes.   

 So, I had to find a bit of humor in such a serious topic! Let's face it, global warming is an issue that we are going to deal with till the end of time. While we can do our part in order to lessen the effects humans have in global warming, the Earth will continue to change forever!!!!

Wikipedia Activity-Global Warming Post #1

Step one:  Click Here to view article.

Step Two:  Read

Step Three: What stance on Global Warming does the article appear to take (ie. caused by humans, or a naturally occurring event; will have catastrophic implications)?

It appears that the site places most of the blame for the cause of global warming on humans and the release of greenhouse gases. However, they also talk about the natural causes that we, as humans, cannot prevent.

Step Four: Continue reading the Wikipedia article and chose a claim to verify (i.e since 1979, land temperatures have increased about twice as fast as ocean temperatures). 

“Other likely effects of the warming include more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events including heat waves, droughts and heavy rainfall events, species extinctions due to shifting temperature regimes, and changes in agricultural yields.”

Step Five: Web Page Evaluation Checklist

Keeping the Facts Straight (for the claim) 

Name of page: Global Warming-Fast Facts

Address/URL: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html

Date Accessed:  June 20, 2011

How did you find the page?  I linked from a Google search engine.

DOMAIN

What is the domain of the page? .com

Do you feel that the domain type helps add to or lessen the page’s credibility?

 I do feel that it has complete credibility. I say this because I often find that sites with the domain. .com, seem to contain factual information that is valid and not just the opinions of a particular group. In other words, in this case, the site will argue the pros and cons of global warming.

AUTHOR/AUTHORITY

Is the author of the page identified? No

Is the author of the page an individual? No

If no individual author is identified, is the corporation, institution, organization or group responsible for the web site clearly identified? Yes, National Geographic Society.

If the author is a corporation/institution/organization or other group:

Does the organization have a reputation for credibility? Yes

Does the organization explain its purpose, mission, goals, or guiding principles? Yes, this information can be found on the “About Us” page.

Does the organization provide the names of its officers, editors, staff or other major participants? Not that I was able to find, however, there is a place to contact the staff.

Does the organization provide contact information? Yes

Does the organization appear to filter the information appearing under its name? Yes

Does the organization display any obvious signs of bias? I would have to say no. It seems as though they are only trying to get the overall facts out there so that people are more aware of what is going on in the case of global warming.

In conclusion, do you think that this organization is qualified to present the information found on its web page? Yes

INTENT

Is the purpose of the page clearly stated? Yes, a mission statement is provided

What is or appears to be the purpose of the page? Their purpose is to inform and educated, as well as, promote environmental and historical conservation.

Does the page contain advertisements? Yes

Do the ads distract from the page’s content, affect the page’s reliability, or appear to be the main focus of the page? No

Might they be necessary to support the organization responsible for the page? Yes, they are a non-profit group that relies on donations in order to continue running.

 INTENDED AUDIENCE

Who appears to be the intended audience for this information/page?
Enthusatics, Scientist, Researchers, Citizens, Students of all ages.

Does the level or complexity of information provided, the vocabulary used, and the overall tone of the information/page match your needs? Yes

CURRENTNESS

When was the information on the page created or last updated?

October 28, 2010

Are the dates of articles, news stories, newsletters, reports and other publications given? Yes

Is the page properly maintained or does it have broken links, outdated events calendars or other signs of neglect? Maintained


RELIABILITY

Is the content peer-reviewed, authenticated by experts, or subject to some sort of editorial scrutiny? N/A

Does the page display any awards given by reliable sources, or link to favorable site reviews by reliable sources?  No

Considering your answers to the previous questions, other observations you’ve made, and your overall sense of the page, how reliable does this source seem?

The page appears to have valuable information and be credible.

CONCLUSIONS

Do you feel that this source is appropriate for your current assignment or information need? Yes

Would you recommend this source to a friend doing similar research? Yes

What reservations, if any, do you have about the source? No reservations

  Against the Claim

Name of page: Global Warming Myths and Facts

Address/URL:  http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=16257&source=ggad&gclid=CLaqwO3dx6kCFYeD5QodfRfpgQ

Date Accessed:  June 20, 2011

How did you find the page?  I linked from a Google search engine.

DOMAIN

What is the domain of the page? .org

Do you feel that the domain type helps add to or lessen the page’s credibility?

 I do feel that it has some complete credibility. I say this because I often find that sites with the domain. .org, seem to contain factual information that is somewhat valid, yet also contains the opinions of a particular group. In other words, the site will more than likely argue the pros or cons of global warming.

AUTHOR/AUTHORITY

Is the author of the page identified? No

Is the author of the page an individual? No

If no individual author is identified, is the corporation, institution, organization or group responsible for the web site clearly identified? Yes, Environmental Defense Fund.

If the author is a corporation/institution/organization or other group: Yes

Does the organization have a reputation for credibility? Yes

Does the organization explain its purpose, mission, goals, or guiding principles? Yes, this information can be found on the “About Us” page.

Does the organization provide the names of its officers, editors, staff or other major participants? Yes, there is a place that lists staff, as well as, ways to contact them.

Does the organization provide contact information? Yes

Does the organization appear to filter the information appearing under its name? Yes

Does the organization display any obvious signs of bias? I would have to say no. It seems as though they are only trying to get the overall facts out there so that people are more aware of what is going on in the case of global warming.

In conclusion, do you think that this organization is qualified to present the information found on its web page? Yes

INTENT

Is the purpose of the page clearly stated? Yes, a mission statement is provided

What is or appears to be the purpose of the page? Their purpose is to inform and educated.

Does the page contain advertisements? No

Do the ads distract from the page’s content, affect the page’s reliability, or appear to be the main focus of the page? N/A

Might they be necessary to support the organization responsible for the page? N/A

 INTENDED AUDIENCE

Who appears to be the intended audience for this information/page?
Enthusatics, Scientist, Researchers, Citizens, Students of all ages.

Does the level or complexity of information provided, the vocabulary used, and the overall tone of the information/page match your needs? Yes

CURRENTNESS

When was the information on the page created or last updated?

January 1, 1998

Are the dates of articles, news stories, newsletters, reports and other publications given? Yes

Is the page properly maintained or does it have broken links, outdated events calendars or other signs of neglect? Maintained


RELIABILITY

Is the content peer-reviewed, authenticated by experts, or subject to some sort of editorial scrutiny? N/A

Does the page display any awards given by reliable sources, or link to favorable site reviews by reliable sources?  No

Considering your answers to the previous questions, other observations you’ve made, and your overall sense of the page, how reliable does this source seem?

The page appears to have valuable information and be credible. However, that fact that it has not been updated since 1998, makes me want to rethink using this site before using one that has been currently updated.

CONCLUSIONS

Do you feel that this source is appropriate for your current assignment or information need? Yes

Would you recommend this source to a friend doing similar research? No, because it has not been currently updated.

What reservations, if any, do you have about the source? The only reservation I have about this site is the fact that it has not been updated on the last 13 years!!!