Module Three Blog

Search Engines

The use of the internet has revolutionized the ability of students to access information from a nearly unlimited number of resources. The speed which information can be attained has also changed the way in which educators must teach students. An important aspect of using this new technology efficiently is the use proper use of search engines. The vast amount of information, both valuable and not valuable, available on the internet makes the use of search engines essential. Learning to critically evaluate this vast amount of research material is not only a necessary academic tool but also a 21st century life skill students must acquire during their educational experience. Educators can and must develop this skill by requiring the use the internet and search engines for classroom assignments.

Just as students have access to a nearly unlimited amount of research material instructors also have access to a larger amount of classroom resources on the internet than ever before. Instructors can use these tools available such as virtual field trips and wikis to keep the modern student engaged in the learning process. Instructors have to switch from being the fountain of all knowledge to being the oracle who guides the use of the fountain because the internet and search engines such as Google are now the fountain of all knowledge.     

Website Evaluation Video

I chose this video because I believe it does a good job of breaking down the steps a researcher needs to go through in order to critically evaluate websites. It stressed the importance of understanding the amount of information on the internet and how to best determine its value. This video could be shown early in the year during a lesson specifically on the proper methods of dong research focusing on the most common research method of the 21st century which is the internet. A lot of Social Studies is based in opinion and theories so it is important for students to gain the ability to differentiate between opinions and theories based in sound facts and those that are based in weak facts and bias. This video gives a step by step tutorial on how to begin doing that. 

Favorite Web Site #1

http://www.historynet.com/

Historynet.com is an excellent website for history teachers. It is run by World History Group the largest publisher of history magazines in the world. The site is easily navigatable between it various options of content and time periods. It contains daily features, images and article from various history magazines that can by accessed either for instructor presentations or student research projects. It is easy to find information on topics of history that range form periods of American history such as the Civil War and Vietnam War to cultural history like art history. 

Favorite Web Site #2 

http://mrbruceshistory.wikispaces.com/

I chose the wiki created by Mr. Bruce because it resembled the type of wiki I would like to create for my own class room. It is a really good example of how the teacher and students can collaborate to create an engaging educational experience that benefits both. This web page has a nice visual design to it that looks professional and is easily navigated. The purpose of the page is clearly stated on the first page of the wiki. "Welcome to our class wiki. Created for students (and some sections by students)the pages represent the collective efforts waged by all of us as we work to understand the complexities of U.S. History."I like that much of the content in this wiki was developed by students. I feel like this type of Wiki could create an interactive classroom allowing students to take more ownership of the learning experience. This type of website can be used to not only engage the students but also the parents which would allow even more of the community to become part of the learning process.