Citizen Journalism

This project seems pretty interesting. I know in the health career field we are always speaking our opinion regarding some treatment or procedure. This can become a forum to speak with a little authority.

■Identify resources student will use to create their print texts, people to interview, phenomenon  to observe that would enable your student to become a citizen Journalist.

• The students can use whatever is at their hearts desire. I will suggest to start with print texts or online research that can be validated. I will suggest interviewing peers and experts. They will also have patient charts to review or patients to interview.

■Identify lesson plans or resources that you would use to design a Citizen Journalism project.

• I would use TrackStar to lead the student through the project. I haven’t figured out where to start but probably with articles on citizen journalism and what it is.
• I also found a site that has pros and cons for just about every topic Pros and cons.
• I was going to have them submit something to blackboard, but I think I will make it a class presentation or maybe a pro /con type debate.
• I am still whittling down my topics

■Identify the media tools student will use to create their final product.

• Since this will be a presentation, the student can use whatever media they feel comfortable with. As simple as index cards to full blown media production. They can use a blog or powerpoint ,  Youtube, digital story, ipods, prezi to name a few ideas. I would prefer they keep it simple and I will put a time limit.

■In a blog posting describe your citizen journalism project and link to resources you will use to design your project.

• I will be doing something in the respiratory field.
•  There are many controversies in the medical field, from simple treatments to major ethical decisions.
• The most recent is the lung transplant of the child with Cystic Fibrosis and the controversy over the guidelines. Another is stem cell research.
•  Still another is from our (respiratory therapy) journals about medical controversies.  
• Transplants myths and facts
• Stem cell research
• Respiratory care controversies

Week #6 Reading Authentic Research

1. Reading #1

Quote:
“In addition to giving student opportunities to do research that is about important topics and providing students with chances to share their findings with real audiences, we can encourage students to conduct primary research.”( Herrmann 2012)

• I totally agree with statements, simply because I use authentic research in my class curriculum. In the health careers field research is the leading edge for so many different cures, treatments and ways to diagnose. One does not need to be a pure clinical researcher to make a difference in their field. I did not realize I was doing authentic research; I was just trying to get them to think outside of the box when it comes to respiratory therapy. Everyday any respiratory therapist can research a new modality, or medication in the hospital setting, collect data, synthesize and report their findings. But they still need guidance and that’s what I teach them.  
• For the past four years I have had my students research a topic of their choice, preferably one that they have observed while doing their clinical rotations. Then they do a poster presentation, similar to those at larger national symposiums, where they discuss their topic with college faculty, hospital personnel and anyone who may be interested.    

This is one of my students presenting her topic to visiting hospital directors

This is  one of my students presenting to the  Provost

( I couldn't get any unposed face shots.) 

 Reference:

Herrmann B. 'Writing as an exploration: rethinking the research paper.' Wisocnsin English Journal   (54),2 2012
Reading#2

1. What is the difference between writing a report and "doing research"?

• Writing a report involves looking up information, compiling facts and regurgitating it on a ‘word’ document. Writing a report does not ensure reliability and validity of results.  It is an English assignment with the purpose of learning how to write a paper with proper citations and references. It does not expand the students’ knowledge or teach investigative methods necessary to a specific discipline.
• Research on the other hand is a “learning environment outside the world of text and into the real world phenomena” (Gordon n.d.). Research can be consist of, conducting an interview, administering a questionnaire, or keeping a journal. Students are put in an active role of collecting data and constructing meaning. They do the analysis, write and present their findings. 

2. How might doing authentic research better prepare students for the 21st century work place?

•  As stated by Lloyd (2011) , “The aim of this refocusing [ that it is the workplaces that should be used to inform library and educational sectors’ provision of information literacy education.] is to produce future workers who have the capacity to recognize and understand the central place that information, it’s creation, production, reproduction, circulation, and dissemination play in sustainable workplace performance.” 
• Authentic research helps future workers become more engaged in the research process at anytime in their career. It gives them the tools to become an integral part of their workplace and not just a ‘worker bee’.  Do authentic research teaches them where to get information, reliability and validity of results regardless of the topic.  

3. Why might Constructivist type learning better prepare students for the 21st century work place than Behavioral approaches?

• Constructivist type of learning translates to real world situations.
• Critical thinking are issues important to students to be successful in the workplace.
•  To be prepared, students must learn to identify what is important to them. They need to construct new meanings, and explain their understandings to others in some way that is authentic to their topic.
• What I am finding in my students is that they have been going through their college career learning from the behavior model of rote learning or memorizing what they need to know to pass their exam and then on to the next. 
•  The health careers field is ever changing and memorizing for the exam does not work. It is my job to coach the students to make behavior changes to  anticipate events and respond accordingly or critically think through a process to a successful conclusion.

4. How does authentic research support new media literacies?

• To me authentic research is researching in the moment, what and where the most current information is located. When researching new medical modalities, one must have the most current information available to explore and assess the validity of the theories.
•  Jenkins stated “… In this new media age, the ability to negotiate and evaluate information online, to recognize manipulation and propaganda and to assimilate ethical values is becoming as basic to education as reading and writing.” (2007).
• I am still swaying about Wikipedia, however , Jenkins makes the case when he states “ Wikipedia empowers students to take seriously what they have learned in other classes, to see their own research as having potential value in a larger enterprise, and to take greater responsibility over the accuracy of what they have produced.”(2007).
• This exactly what authentic research is all about.

References :

Gordon, C. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/slmrb/slmrcontents/volume21999/vol2gordon

Jenkins, H. (2007, June 26). What Wikipedia can Teach us About New Media Literacies (Part One). Retrieved from Confessions of an Aca-Fan: The Official Webblog of Henry Jenkins: http://henryjenkins.org/2007/06/what_wikipedia_can_teach_us_ab.html

Lloyd, A. (2011). Trapped between a rock and a hard place: what counts as information . Library 

Trends, 60(2), 277-296.

 

TrackStar Final Product
I found this project to be user friendly and an excellent way to tech my students about research and the internet. I added a final site to my rough draft and it's for my students to do a think aloud process for internet site validity. I have already linked this to Blackboard with an assignment. I'm excited to see how it goes over. My seniors need to do a research project and this is the perfect starting point. They will be presenting their research on Mon. Dec 2, 2013 at Falcon Center 3rd floor hallway. 11-1. Stop by and see the results.

Weekly Reading #5 Between a Rock and a Hard Place

1. What does the term "discursive practices" mean?

• Simply put conversational practices [Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)]

2. What does "discourse" mean?  

• Dialogue [Encarta Dictionary: English ( North America)]

3. What is the "rock" and what is the "hard place"?

• The ‘rock’ is the current conception  that represents information literacy as a skill or a competency. To be used for information access and use , and associated with tools such as text or technology. The ‘hard place’ refers to the attempts to translate this conception from the formal learning regimes of education and academic libraries to less structured or systemized sectors but just as important( Lloyd ,2011) 

4. What are the differences between the skills prescribed for information searching in academic and workplace settings?

• Academia has a particular set of rules, regulations and curriculum that are strengthened by an influential logic. Academia knowledge is based on knowledge that is unquestioned, objective and explicit measured against formalized set of criteria.

• Work places, on the other hand, offer a less restricted environment.  Information is distributed through a range of practices that contribute to the collective performance of work. Their knowledge is shaped through unrecognized sources such as experience, which is reflective of the ongoing process of collaboration.

5. How do academic notions of information literacy undermine workplace notions information literacy?

• Academia attempts to translate librarians’ ideas of the operational skill list and standards identified in the education sector. Also academia focuses on individual information use rather than information used as a collective activity. Academia tends to dislike the concepts of teamwork and group problem solving to build collective knowledge spread across a team rather than an individual.

6. How are information needs identified in work place setting like nursing and emergency workers?

• In most health care fields problem solving is group activity. Health care professionals work as a team to discuss the problem or issue at hand and draw on a range of experiences and expertise within the group.  In hospitals and other health care facilities the teams are made up of EMTs, nurses, respiratory therapists and nutritionists to name just a few. Then decide the best course of action based on the rules and regulations of the medical profession.

7. Why do issues of plagiarism not resonate in workplace settings?

• The type of knowledge shared in the work place is considered to be a collective possession, distributed and circulated throughout the work place, by story- telling, and accepted through the networks of professional practice.  As such plagiarism is not an issue.

8. Are information literacy skills transferable across contexts and settings? Why or Why not?

•  I had a very hard time translating what our author was trying to emphasize here. I believe that these skills are transferrable; however, our author does not. I believe once you have the basics it does not matter where the information comes from. It is important and needs to be stressed to students that not all information is equal. It is our job as educators to teach the students “...application and operationalization of information skills (i.e., the ability to effectively search for information and evaluate results)…” ( Lloyd, 2011).

9. What is "practice theory"?

• Practice theory emphasizes the analytical way of engaging with world. Practice theories have the ability to produce accounts of how different types of information and knowledge are produced and how information literacy happens.

10. How does the author of this article define information literacy?

• Lloyd (2011) states “Knowledge of information sources within an environment and an understanding of how these sources and the activities used to access them are constructed through discourse. Information literacy is constituted through the connections that exist between people, artifacts, texts and bodily experiments that enable individuals to develop both subjective and intersubjective positions. Information literacy is a way of knowing many environments that constitute an individual being in the world. (Lloyd, 2010 , page 26)”

11.How do educators need to change their understanding of information literacy in order to prepare student for the information literacy practices they will encounter in workplace settings?

• I, as an example, need to loosen up a little. Not all information on the web is taboo. Wikipedia is okay and a good starting point. We need to learn that not all research is empirical and collaboration and teamwork shape some of our health care protocols. 

12. What do the terms "ontological" and "epistemological" mean?

• Onto- is the prefix meaning being       –ology means the study of.
• Ontology is the study a particular theory of being [Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)]
• I believe this means that “…organizations, institutions and settings, and the people in them, create practice architecture with prefigured practices, enabling them and constraining particular kinds of sayings, doings, and relationships among people  within them and in relation to others  outside them…” (Lloyd, 2011)
 
• Epi- means within    –stem – means genealogical time   -ology means the study of.
• Epistemology is the study of the nature of knowledge, it’s foundation, scope and validity. [Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)]
• It also means within the system of the information landscape. In medical workplaces the health care professional is situated in balance with other medical professions and other areas of expertise based on the knowledge of patient care, policy and procedure.

13. After reading this article, how useful is the traditional research paper we expect students to produce in school in preparing them for workplace settings? What are traditional research papers useful for? Should we still assign traditional research papers?

• I think the traditional research paper is still useful. The students still need to learn the basics.
• They need the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use that information for the issue or problem at hand. Since we all don’t know where our students are headed in their future endeavors, a traditional research paper would be a good starting point.
• Tradition research papers are the foundation with which to build information literacy. This will never change. The student’s learn fair use and guidelines. Such as web site validity. The building blocks are communication, collaboration and teamwork and can these be moved around to meet their research needs.
• Yes traditional research still needs to be assigned. But not as rigid doctoral desertation.

14. What is one of the biggest challenges to changing the way information literacy is conceptualized in school settings?

• That sharing is not a bad thing. Collaboration is okay, but as stated above , the students need to now the basics first. My idea of research is still old fashioned in the sense one person, one paper. It’s hard to break from old traditions. 

15. What attributes of the 21st century make it essential that educators change their approaches toward information literacy?

• Information is arriving on the web fast and furious. Anyone can type anything and it might be considered a standard. It is our job as educators to lay the foundation so that our students aren’t saying “if it’s on the web it has to be true”. 

16. What changes can teachers make to their classroom activities to engage students in the information literacy practices they will encounter in 21st century workplace settings?

• I will start assigning more activities that will engage the student in researching information from early in our program, such as, just look up a site and do a web evaluation. Get the students comfortable with what to look for. I’m also assigning group projects that will involve researching our libraries resources.

References:

Lloyd, A. (2011). Trapped between a rock and a hard place: what counts as information . Library  

     Trends, 60(2), 277-296.

Microsoft Encarta Dictionary: Retrieved from  http://books.google.com/books/about/

Week # 4 Reading

1. What surprises you about the strategies digital age students use as they conduct research for course assignments?

·         I honestly thought that every student jumped on the web and started their research from there. However, according to this study  "Almost every student in the sample turned to course readings before google or Wikipedia for course related research assignments.” (Head & Eisenberg 2009)

·         The study doesn’t say whether it is a paper text or an e-text, but since I am old fashioned I going with paper text.

·         Although I’m beginning to think e-texts are the way of the future

2. How accurately do the findings from this study reflect your own research strategies?

·         I feel this study pretty much hit the nail on the head. “ ……nearly all of the students in our sample had developed an information-seeking strategy reliant on a small set of common information sources—close at hand, tried and true.”  (Head & Eisenberg  2009).

·          This pretty much how I start my research.

·         I also like EBSCO for journal references, but it’s hard to find in our library databases.

3. This study provides a detailed description of the parameters of research assignments typical required for academia. How does it differ from the kinds of research people do in the workplace?

·         I don’t think there is much of a difference.

·         The students doing academic research turned to the information that they were the most comfortable with, these include course readings, library sources and public internet sites such as google and Wikipedia.

·         Today’s students doing everyday life research whether in the workplace or independently have developed strategies that help them meet their school and everyday needs.

4. Do you think the recommendations to improve research process for college students will better prepare students for the world outside of school?

·         I agree that there is a perceived view of library services as not being very helpful, by the students. The students know there are resources at the library, but go to faculty instead of the librarians for guidance.

·          Sadly librarians are truly underutilized.

·          I asked an FSU librarian a resource question, she went directly to the computer to look up a source that I had tried just a few moments earlier. I was hoping they would expound on my queries.

·         New students and faculty to the campus are given a crash course on all that the FSU library has to offer. We can teach them about the library and it's wealth of information and it would behoove us ,as faculty, to send them there for guidance.

 

 ·         Librarians need to be on top of what they have to offer also. Just looking something up on a computer and regurgitating information does not bode confidence in their knowledge.

Reference:

Head, A.J. & Eisenberg, M.B. (2009). LESSONS LEARNED: How College Students Seek Information in the Digital Age. Retrieved from: http://kennison.name/files/zopestore/uploads/libraries/documents/student-info-seeking-2009.pdf

5. Find an image that relates to searching for information. Embed the image in your blog and provide proper attribution.

I thought this is so appropriate ...actual title

Learning at the Library
Research tips: Database features that will make your life easier

Retrieved from: http://gottesman.pressible.org

My Trackstar

My respiratory students must do a research project on something new and improved in the health career field. Most have never done one, this will be so helpful in getting them started.  
 My TrackStar

What are the strengths of your TrackStar in terms of promoting content learning and information literacy?

•  Words can't describe how excited I am about TrackStar.
•  I teach nontraditional adult students who have never written a research paper or it was so long ago, they were using note cards (remember writing your citations on note cards).
• I never realized I was throwing these people into the ocean without a life preserver.
• With information being updated every second of everyday on the internet, TrackStar will give them the step-by-step instructions on what is reliable, credible and valid.
• Research in the medical field can be quite rigid and certain rules need to be followed. TrackStar will give these students the knowledge to be successful.
• The seniors have a research project due in Dec and they will be getting this assignment on day 1. I will be starting the new students earlier on this also. 

How does your TrackStar differ from typical classroom research projects and how it better prepare students for research in the workplace.

• Have I said how much I like this.
• TrackStar differs from typical research because it gives the students guidance, especially those who have either never written a research paper or it was a long time ago.
• Depending on the demographics of the class Trackstar can be modified and designed for the needs of the class.
• It better prepares the students because, in the medical field there is a lot of collaberation, but still rely on classic research to make decisions and being able to determine a good study from the others is very important.
• This can be taught in didactic lectures but I have seen the deer in the headlights and this way they work on their own or within groups with appropriate due dates. 
• I don't want to be Charlie Brown's teacher.   

Week #4 Trackstar, first impression

·         My first impression of Trackstar, after reading the three projects, was where has this been all of my researching life. As a professor at Pierpont, we have specific guidelines to follow regarding technical literacy, qualitative anaylsis and critical thinking.

·         Trackstar looks like a great tool to teach my students about research, how to assimilate data, how to navigate the world of research and determine if a study is creditable.

·         Respiratory Therapy is a fast paced changing medical field.

·         Everyday new drugs, therapies or protocols are released. Research study after research study is done to test these theories. Sometimes, depending on who is sponsoring the research determines its validity.

·         My students do a research project in their senior semester, and Trackstar will help me teach them what to look for in the journals.

·         No Child Left Behind’s project is the perfect starting point for my students. I can show how to look for bias and alternative views.

·        Drawing Conclusions on Bilingual Education would be step #2 how to read the numbers and comparing other sites.

·         I think the time travel project would be a very good ‘icebreaker’ for the serious job ahead.

·         Trackstar will also help my students in any future endeavor relating to the health care world.

"Textbooks, Wikipedia and Schooling"

Should teachers be armed in schools from jodeenelson

• I felt that the Think aloud project was enlightening. I wish we had for the first Wikipedia project. I now know what to look for in credibility, validity and reliability. When my students start their research projects in the fall, I will definitely be showing them this.
•   It would be very hard to have intelligent consumers without giving them the tools to know how to consume.It's pretty scary to see students believe whats out there because "if it's on the internet it has to be true". It is our job to start early to teach how, who, what and where to look for reliable and credible information. The digital age is moving so fast and furious we as instructors need to be there to guide the students.
• This project reminded me of the good ol' days, when I studied with texts , paper and pencil( we did have electricity) I would write out and talk aloud to remember the facts. Thinkaloud is pretty much the same concept only on the internet. I found it to be extremely helpful in find the who,what,where and how of the sites. Text books are often outdated or edited to meet someone's needs. I've always pretty much new that, but this brought it to light. I so agree with the Geoff Ruth when his first statement was "The students in my general chemistry class almost never open their textbook. My reason: The less I use the book, the more they learn."(http://www.edutopia.org/teaching-without-text.)I find I'm doing the same thing in my Respiratory Classes. The internet is so much more up to date, I am constantly updating my material. But I still have a very hard time getting rid of the texts. Old habits are so hard to break.

• Web Page Evaluation Checklist
• Name of page: National School Safety and Security Services
• Address/URL: http://www.schoolsecurity.org/ Date Accessed: 6/6/13
• How did you find the page?Google search
• 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? Yes it does
• AUTHOR/AUTHORITY
• Kenneth S. Trump is the author and president of this organization.  
• Mr. Trump  is one of the nation’s leading school safety experts and has 25 years of front-line     school security experience working with school and safety officials from all 50 states and Canada.This lends a level of credibility to his statements.
• Some bias regarding security in schools. It is his website. However, there is no political association so all opinions are his.
• Mr.Trumps contact information is located under the tab 'contact information'
• I feel with Mr. Trump's experince and expertise he is  qualified to make these statements.
• INTENT
• The purpose of the page clearly stated under the 'about us' tab
•  The purpose is to inform school district administrators about security and safety
• There are no adverisements , this a for-profit consulting corporation.
• INTENDED AUDIENCE
• The audience is school superintendents, principals, and school boards  
• CURRENTNESS
• This site is updated on aregular basis and is maintained properly. All links work.
• RELIABILITY
• He has a board of directors
• I feel with his credentials and experience in the field he is very reliable
• CONCLUSIONS
• I have np reservations that I feel this source is reliable and would recommend it others.

READING FOR WEEK #3
How do you feel about using web-based resources instead of textbooks in school?

• I like using web-based resources; it’s Wikipedia that throws me for a loop.
• I like the factual articles all lined up in rows or columns.
•  Wikipedia kind of vomits out information.
• I‘google’ something before looking it up in a text.
• In the health care field, as in most fields of study, information changes on a daily basis.
• Looking up health based organizations gives the most up to date information.
•  Wikipedia can guide the student to these organizations, but so does google or bing or whatever search engine one wants to use.
•  Last year I actually took the plunge and put the whole class on Black Board and gave web-based readings instead of text reading. It was well received by the younger students the over 40’s not so much.

What opportunities for the development of information literacy skills for students if they began to learn without textbooks?

• Opportunities are endless.
• As long as a student has a computer with internet access, the world is a wide open space.
•  You can Google or Bing absolutely anything and everything.
•  It’s access to the internet that may be a problem for some students.
•  It’s also appropriate education regarding credibility, reliability and validation that is important.

   3.How do these articles change or support your stance on using Wikipedia learning resources in the classroom?

• I always suspected that texts were a conglomeration of facts mushed together to accommodate the school buyers. I never dreamt it to be this extensive.
•  I remember reading my children’s textbooks. The civil rights era and Vietnam were just footnotes in their history books. Both of which were still considered distasteful at the time.
•     The author Tamim Ansary said it best “In fact, most of these books fall far short of their important role in the educational scheme of things. They are processed into existence using the pulp of what already exists, rising like swamp things from the compost of the past. The mulch is turned and tended by many layers of editors who scrub it of anything possibly objectionable before it is fed into a government-run "adoption" system that provides mediocre material to students of all ages.”(Tamim)
• As far as not using texts I agree with Geoff Ruth when he stated “The students in my general chemistry class almost never open their textbook. My reason: The less I use the book, the more they learn” (Ruth)
• I have been pulling away from using the texts that we have.
• I haven’t been able to totally make the break completely, because I want to believe they can be valuable resources for their future references. Especially when the students go take their credentialing exams. However there are so many on line practice exams, I wonder if they really use the texts.
•  For the first time this year, ebooks are available, I am not going to discourage the use of these. I believe Wikipedia has a place in the classroom, it is a powerful tool as a resource to start the imagination process. To be used to start the student exploring the world around them.

• References
•  Ruth , G. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/teaching-without-text
• Tamim, A. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/muddle-machine

I feel this was me before this project.

The unhelpful teacher, only we are not this young.

http://troll.me?p=70532

Reading Week #2 Henry Jenkins

What are Henry Jenkins main arguments about Wikipedia?

Henry Jenkins had quite a few excellent arguments regarding Wikipedia.

• What I thought was interesting was, he did not want to convince anyone to use Wikipedia in class, but gave some pretty strong arguments for it.
• Educators, such as myself, need to understand what is going on well enough to offer them meaningful advice and guidance because this is where the young students go first.
• ‘Old literacy ‘educators, like myself, need to adopt an “informed skepticism” rather than a dismissive attitude.
• I now have ‘informed skepticism”.

What is "participatory culture"?
This was pretty self-explanatory to me. But what is very important to remember is; it is a space where youth and adults learn from each other. I thoughts these points from the text said it best.

• Where there is strong support for creating and sharing what you create with others,
•  Where there is some kind of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced gets passed along to newbies and novices,
• Where members feel that their contributions matter.
• Where members feel some degree of social connection with each other at least to the degree to which they care what other people think about what they have created.
• Where teens and adults interact but with less fixed and hierarchical relations than found in formal education.
(http://henryjenkins.org/2007/06/what_wikipedia_can_teach_us_ab.html  Part1)

What is the relationship between "old literacies" and "new media literacies"?

• “Old literacies” are the aspects of traditional research methods, text-based literacies, and critical analysis that have long been valued within formal education. This includes spending time in musty old libraries searching for and photocopying journals to validate your theories.
•  “New Media Literacies” are the skills that have taken on new importance as young people move into emerging media institutions and practices. These new technologies have enabled shifts in how we as a society produce, dissect, and circulate information.

What are the reading and writing behaviors associated with "new media literacies".

I thought these four skills discussed in Part 1 were the most important and condensed so that, even I, was able to understand.

• Collective Intelligence — the ability to pool knowledge and compare notes with others towards a common goal. This also needs to be done without bias and egos.
• Judgment — the ability to evaluate the reliability and credibility of different information source.
• Networking — the ability to search for, synthesize and disseminate information.
• Negotiation — the ability to travel across diverse communities, discerning and respecting multiple perspectives, and grasping and following alternative sets of norms.
(http://henryjenkins.org/2007/06/what_wikipedia_can_teach_us_ab.html Part1)

According to Henry Jenkins why is it important to teach "new media literacies" in school?

There were so many points on why it is important to teach “new media literacies” in school , here are the ones I felt stood out to me. Mostly has to do with the older generation.

• Value what teachers, parents, librarians, youth workers, and others bring to the conversation. We may not know it all, but we know a lot.

• There’s still a strong role for adults to play in insuring that young people develop a critical vocabulary for thinking about the place of media in their lives and engage in meaningful reflection
about the ethical choices they make as media producers and participants in online communities.

• Help these adults respond to the changing circumstances young people face in a period of prolonged and profound media change. This is very important to me.

• New media literacies need to inform all aspects of the educational curriculum; they represent a philosophical shift in how we teach English, social science, science, math, and the other schoolroom subjects.

• If these skills are going to reach every American young people, it is going to require the active participation of collaboration of all of those individuals and institutions who impact young people’s moral, intellectual, social, and cultural development

• Access to this participatory culture functions as a new form of the hidden curriculum, shaping which kids will succeed and which will be left behind as they enter schools and workplaces.

• Educators need to work together to insure that every American young person has access to the skills and experiences needed to become a full participant.

• Young people are going to the site in search of quick data and may lack the critical vocabulary necessary to use its contents meaningfully. So, at the most basic level, a media literacy practice around Wikipedia needs to focus attention on the basic affordances of the site, so that students are encouraged to move beyond the top level and see what’s going on underneath the hood.

What can young people learn through contributing or even consuming Wikipedia?

• “An educated consumer is our best consumer” (syms.com) This was a saying from one of the retail shops from Cleveland. They have since gone out of business in Cleveland .

• New literacies are like almost all social skills which have to do with collaboration and networking.

• Just as earlier efforts at media literacy wanted to help young people to understand their roles as media consumers and producers, young people need to better understand their roles as participants in this emerging digital culture.

• Much as young people become more critical consumers of media when they have engaged in production activities, young people ask better questions about the nature of scholarship and research when they contribute to Wikipedia.

• What it is like to work together within a knowledge culture.

Jenkins, H. (2007, June 26). What Wikipedia can Teach us About New Media Literacies (Part One). Retrieved May 29, 2013, from Confessions of an Aca-Fan: The Official Webblog of Henry Jenkins: http://henryjenkins.org/2007/06/what_wikipedia_can_teach_us_ab.html

 

How do you feel about Wikipedia after reading or listening to Henry Jenkins? Do agree or disagree with his arguments? Why?

My jury is still out. I am totally waffling. On one hand it is an excellent tool to begin any project. On the other, I believe it is being used a quick fix to a research project. All of my student’s research papers started with a citation from Wikipedia. I also agree that if Wikipedia is to be used in the classroom, the student must know reliability, validation and  bias. Today’s students want fast, “if it’s on the internet it has to be true” attitude. The young students, before college, are hopefully being taught the ins and outs of Wikipedia. My students are the ‘in-betweens’ where they have not been taught about the power of media literacies. I will need someone to give a lecture on Wikipedia.

Find an online resource that supports your position on using Wikipedia as a resource for learning in school. Summarize the argument being made in the resource and explain how it supports your position.

 http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2006/07/wikipedia_in_the_classroom_con.html
This is a blog posting from 2006, quite a while ago, but none the less very interesting. I also believe it will hold up today.  It supports my position, because like the teachers posted I have definite mixed feelings about Wikipedia.  Opinions varied, many valued it an excellent teaching tool, which I whole heartedly agree. But there was also skepticism because of who is allowed to edit and are they experts?


I though this is so me.
 http://themetapicture.com

Discussion 2 Wikipedia

Does the Wikipedia article appear to be biased in any way or does it maintain neutrality?

Is it biased?

I believe so. In my years of research one was always a little biased toward their topic. I do believe it covered the facts, it did have descending opinions, although hard to find. They showed data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change where scientists and experts contribute to writing and reviewing reports—voluntarily, along with other international committees.

Controversy in Global Warming

There is a strong consensus that global surface temperatures have increased in recent decades and that the trend is caused primarily by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases. No scientific body of national or international standing disagrees with this view, though a few organizations hold non-committal positions. Disputes over the key scientific facts of global warming are now more prevalent in the popular media than in the scientific literature, where such issues are treated as resolved, and more in the United States than globally. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming_controversy)

Step Two: Scientists for or against global warming:

Scientist against global warming

Name of page: Arguments against Global Warming

Address/URL: http://www.aproundtable.org/tps30info/globalwarmup.html

Date Accessed: 5/30/2013

How did you find the page? Google

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 feel it adds

AUTHOR/AUTHORITY

Is the author of the page identified? No

This  is a corporation, institution responsible for the web site clearly identified? Yes: American Policy Roundtable

Does the organization have a reputation for credibility? This is the first I have read them

Does the organization explain its purpose, mission, goals, or guiding principles? Yes

Does the organization provide the names of its officers, editors, staff or other major participants? Yes

Does the organization provide contact information (phone, address, or at least an e-mail address)? Yes

Does the organization appear to filter the information appearing under its name? No

Does the organization display any obvious signs of bias? Yes against global warming

I was all for them until I read one of their mission points included ‘overcoming evil in society and promoting political alternatives to policy’’. This gave me pause.

In conclusion, do you think that this organization is qualified to present the information found on its web page? I feel anyone is qualified, it’s the public who determines what to read and believe.

INTENT

Is the purpose of the page clearly stated? Yes

What is or appears to be the purpose of the page?

·         Rekindle American Spirit

·         Build a networks of leaders, who will help others join in the adventure of responsible citizenship.

·         Overcome evil in civil society by promoting positive alternatives in public policy.

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? Not really Might they be necessary to support the organization responsible for the page? They might if they want their opinions published

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Who appears to be the intended audience for this information/page? Every day Americans

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?This particular article was written in 2007

Are the dates of articles, news stories, newsletters, reports and other publications given? It does highlight their resources , there are more updated articles

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

RELIABILITY

Is the content peer-reviewed, authenticated by experts, or subject to some sort of editorial scrutiny? It seems to be a public forum, however there is an editor and researchers on the staff.

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? I feel it is reliable to those who believe this political stance. I would do more research before believing all they say.

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 but not as the only source. This is just one opinion. More need to be investigated.

What reservations, if any, do you have about the source? I feel it has a significant political agenda to one side.

Scientists for global warming

Name of page: Scientists Agree Overwhelmingly on Global Warming. Why Doesn’t the Public Know That?

Address/URL: http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/scientists-agree-overwhelmingly-on-global-warming-why-doesnt-the-public-know-that/

Date Accessed: 5/30/2013

How did you find the page? Google search

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? Not really

AUTHOR/AUTHORITY

Is the author of the page identified? Yes

Is the author of the page an individual? Yes Christopher Schuetze - contributor

Is the author clearly affiliated with a corporation, institution, organization or group? Yes writes for the Global NY Times

If so, does this affiliation lend credibility to the author? Yes

Are the author’s educational, occupational or other credentials identified? No

Is the author a professional in the field or a layperson interested in the subject? Seems to be well read in environmental areas

Does the author present any other evidence that supports his/her ability to accurately present the information that he/she is presenting? Not here

Does the author display any obvious bias (religious, political,commercial or other)? I think since he is a news organization contributor he has some bias toward his own work.

Is the author the original creator of the information presented? Yes

If not, does the author acknowledge the sources of the information he/she is presenting? He does acknowledge his sources.

AUTHOR/AUTHORITY, cont.

Does the author provide his/her contact information (usually an e-mail address)? I’m sure it’s there somewhere, however I had to subscribe to find more details.  

In conclusion, do you feel that the author is qualified to present the information found on his/her web page? At this point yes.

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

Does the organization have a reputation for credibility? YES

Does the organization provide the names of its officers, editors, staff or other major participants? Yes

Does the organization provide contact information (phone,address, or at least an e-mail address)? Yes

Does the organization appear to filter the information appearing under its name? NO

Does the organization display any obvious signs of bias? No

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

What is or appears to be the purpose of the page? That scientists overwhelming agree on global warming.

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? I think Yes

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Who appears to be the intended audience for this information/page?

People of all ages who are interested in global warming.

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? Created May 16th,2013

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? Yes Properly maintained

RELIABILITY

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

Does the page display any awards given by reliable sources, or link to favorable site reviews by reliable sources? Not for this particular page. But it’s the NY Times…

How reliable does this source seem? Reliable

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, but not as the only source

What reservations, if any, do you have about the source? None

Step Three:

What does it mean that this article and its editors are subject to General Sanctions?

“Global warming is a featured article; it (or a previous version of it) has been identified as one of the best articles produced by the Wikipedia community. Even so, if you can update or improve it, please do so”( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Global_warming )

However, Wikipedia does have the right to impose general sanctions on all editors working in a particular area usually following a request for arbitration.

Usually at an administrators' noticeboard, the community may also impose general sanctions on all editors working in a particular area

Article probation  

Anyone editing an article on probation should be especially mindful of content policies, such as WP:NPOV, and interaction policies, such as WP:CIVIL, WP:NPA, WP:3RR, and WP:POINT.

Community article probation

Editors making disruptive edits may be subject to various administrative restrictions, depending on the terms of probation. This type of probation is similar to article probation, above, but is imposed by the community rather than by ArbCom.

Step Four:

Verify the answer using another online source http://www.ipcc.ch/index.htm.

Q11: Are the IPCC reports prepared by biased UN scientists?

A11: The IPCC reports are not produced by "UN scientists". The IPCC does not employ the scientists who generate the reports, and has no control over them. The scientists are internationally recognized experts, most with a long history of successful research in the field. They are employed by a number of different organizations, including scientific research institutes, agencies like NASA and NOAA, and universities. They receive no extra pay for their participation in the IPCC process, which is considered a normal part of their academic duties.

Was the answer in Wikipedia accurate? Yes the answer was accurate.

Name of page: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Address/URL: http://www.ipcc.ch/

Date Accessed: 5/30/2013

How did you find the page? google search

DOMAIN

What is the domain of the page?.ch

Do you feel that the domain type helps add to or lessen the page’s credibility? Not sure never saw it before

AUTHOR/AUTHORITY

Is the author of the page identified? YES

Is the author of the page an individual? NO

If the author is an individual: There are more than 800 authors that contribute to this site.

Is the author clearly affiliated with a corporation, institution, organization or group? YES

If so, does this affiliation lend credibility to the author? Not really Are the author’s educational, occupational or other credentials identified? YES

Is the author a professional in the field or a layperson interested in the subject? A professional in their field.

Does the author present any other evidence that supports his/her ability to accurately present the information that he/she is presenting? YES

Does the author display any obvious bias (religious, political, commercial or other)? YES toward global warming

Is the author the original creator of the information presented? YES

If not, does the author acknowledge the sources of the information he/she is presenting? YES

AUTHOR/AUTHORITY, cont.

Does the author provide his/her contact information (usually an e-mail address)? No email, but the institution with which they are affiliated is posted.

In conclusion, do you feel that the author is qualified to present the information found on his/her web page? YES

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

Does the organization have a reputation for credibility?YES

Does the organization explain its purpose, mission, goals, or guiding principles? Yes when tabbed on Organization

Does the organization provide the names of its officers, editors, staff or other major participants? YES

Does the organization provide contact information (phone, address, or at least an e-mail address) ?YES

Does the organization appear to filter the information appearing under its name? NO

Does the organization display any obvious signs of bias? Yes toward 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,  The IPCC's work is guided by a set of principles and clear procedures for all the main activities of the organization. This page serves as a repository for all official procedural documents guiding IPCC activities.

What is or appears to be the purpose of the page? To inform the public regarding the scientific research applicable to global warming.

Does the page contain advertisements? NO

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Who appears to be the intended audience for this information/page?

All people interested in the research about global warming. Researchers environmentalists etc.

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? Updated daily

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? YEs it is proprerly maintained

RELIABILITY

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

Does the page display any awards given by reliable sources, or link to favorable site reviews by reliable sources?YES Nobel on the face page

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?Seems to be very reliable.

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?NONE

How does this influence your perception of Wikipedia as a resource for learning in school? I’m liking it a little more. Information is still overwhelming

Step Five:

What did you learn about issues related to global warming?

I learned that it is a hotly contested issue with way too much information to sift through. I was absolutely overwhelmed and spent hours reading and sifting through the material.

How does reading this section influence you perception of Wikipedia as a resource for learning in school?

I never doubted that Wikipedia would make an excellent resource in schools.

Justify your stance using concrete examples.

However, it took me a week just to read through all the information. In today’s instant society, students would never take that time. The first page was so full of data links, blue words, black words and graphs, that is was so easy to get sidetracked onto another section. When doing a topic so broad as global warming being able to identify the subchapters on the side was extremely helpful, but if you are not sure what you are looking for, you could be looking a long time.

Step Six:

How does this information make you feel about the credibility and validity of information on Wikipedia.

They really don’t give me any confidence about credibility and validity. Looks like a bunch of emails on different topics. Such as : This doesn’t involve global warming

“25-50-25

• 25% of people will be mad at you (or unteachable) no matter what you do, so don't waste your time trying to change them.

• 25% of people will be thrilled with you (or self-directed learners) so don't waste your time trying to change them.

• Just focus on the 50% where you can make a difference”

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:NewsAndEventsGuy)

Step Seven:

How do think Wikipedia could be integrated into classroom activities?

The possibilities are as endless as the imagination allows. It could be incorporated into the curriculum in all aspects of education.

What do you think about using Wikipedia as a source of information instead of textbooks?

Textbooks are frequently outdated and edited to the publishers’ discretion and chosen at the school boards discretion.

Has your opinion changed?

I am waffling. There was so much information, I was totally overwhelmed. Why? This information changes daily. All students need access. If one student doesn’t have computer access, as is the case in many homes in WV , then how is this student to learn? The students must be started very early in their education, Kindergarten/pre-school.