Blog Reflection #2

At first glance the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus website looked a little fishy, but more investigation was obviously needed. The URL was somewhat revealing but not much. ZAPATOPI also wasn't helpful, but the fact that it was a .net website raised a flag or two. It wasn't until I started checking the external links associated with the website that I realized it was, indeed, a hoax. The external links took me to an octopus comic book website, an art/photoshop website, and a women's Internet science web magazine. The tell-tell sign, of course, was the numerous links to websites about the tree octopus being a fake or a spoof. Also, looking up the publisher/author information only revealed that the contact person was Kevin Fraites. Looking at the history of the site was of little help, revealing only that the site was first started in 2002. I believe this site was originally intended for entertainment purposes, but it looks as though many are using it as a source to help teach about the credibility of websites. When searching for information about the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus, I found AltaVista's information to be more beneficial. Google and Yahoo seemed to have more links to other blogs and wikis about the tree octopus than to links about it actually being a hoax.

After completing this exercise, I think I will be more likely to explore the external links associated with a website as well as using easywhois to determine a sites publisher or author. Examining a websites URL is a great start, but using these additional steps will help me become a much better evaluator of Internet information. I also hope to "borrow" a few things from this lesson to share with my 8th grade students!

As educators we are responsible for teaching our students how to think for themselves. If we do not give them the skills they need to identify credible websites, then we have failed to prepare them for the 21st century. The Internet and its wealth of information will only grow; therefore, we must teach our students not to take everything at face-value. By making our students aware of Internet pitfalls, we provide them with the knowledge they will need to be able to get the most out of what will be an invaluable resource.

Delicious and Google Reader

I've been using Delicious for a few years now, and I absolutely love it. Many times while searching for information on the Internet I stumble onto something I know I can eventually use. Having a Delicious account enables me to tag the information and come back to it at a later time from any computer. I also like being able to share the information I've found with others and to view their tags as well. It has been a great way for me to share information.

One I way I would like to use Delicious in the future is with my students. It would be a great tool to use for research projects and for Web Quests as well. Instead of me writing the links on the board or displaying them, I could have the students go to the appropriate tag in my Delicious account.

I'm new to Google Reader, but I see how it can be a time-saver. It's great to have one place to go to

catch up on the various sites I read on a regular basis. I'm going to connect with my friends who are already using Google Reader to see what they are reading. I think Google Reader is like any other new technology...once you get use to it, you don't see how you managed without it.

Wikis

I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed creating my wiki. When I first considered what I wanted to do with a wiki, I thought of creating one I could use with teachers across the district. I still think that is something I will do, but I wanted to create one I could use immediately and with my students. So, I began creating a wiki as a place for my students to discuss their summer reading assignments. It didn't take long though before it turned into a class webpage. I've got more work to do on it, but it's something I plan on using throughout the year. It will be a place where I can post assignments, post their class syllabus, and a place for them to do some peer editing as well. Thanks for giving us an assignment that we could customize and actually use. I'm thrilled with the endless possibilities it offers!

I see many advantages of using a wiki, but the most important advantage of a wiki is that it's a new and fun technology tool. As a middle school teacher, I've seen the impact that technology has on students. They truly love it and want to use it. Students are bored with creating Word documents. They want something that will provide them with interactivity; they want to be engaged. Wikis provide students with the opportunity to create something or change something. Wikis, and most other Web 2.0 technologies, appeal to all students. It doesn't matter if they're a visual learner, an auditory learner, a tactile learner; technology works for all native immigrants. After all, they've been using various forms of technology their entire lives.

As far as disadvantages of a wiki, I would say the fact that information could be easily edited or deleted. Another disadvantage with a wiki is that a student must have access to the Internet to be able to gain access or participate on it. Unfortunately, there are still students who do not have Internet access at home.

I'm familiar with most Web 2.0 technologies, but I haven't tried all of them. The two I'm most interested in trying soon are Twitter and podcasting. I know both of these are being used by educators, and I hope to find ways to incorporate them into my classroom this year.