Week 12 Conclusion

What is Learning
Wow, this summer has been full of learning experiences. It has been really beneficial going through the learning theories, to refresh my mind, and give me new ideas. I am sure I 'learned' most of this information in my Undergrad work, but it means so much more now that I have taught students for a few years. Learning is the process of putting information in a real life context over time, and in many different situations. That definition may only make sense to me, but so be it!

Learning can be best effectuated...
Probably the overwhelming theme from all the learning theories from my perspective is learning needs to have meaning. Learning needs to have personal meaning that connects students with past experiences, and links them to future experiences. As teachers we need to help students connect with what they are learning, and challenge them to use what they have learned in everyday life.

Week 11 Problem Based Learning

What is Learning?
Knowledge is being able to take what you have learned and use it in a productive way. As mentioned throughout the course of this semester, learning needs to have a purpose, and be usable. As I have completed the lessons on problem solving in the class I realize what an important real life skill that it is. If students know how to solve problems, they will be able to utilize what they have learned, and be able to find information to learn more.

So I guess what I am saying, is that learning is best effectuated when you teach principles that can be generalized to many different situations, in and out of the classroom. What is the saying, if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day, if you teach a man how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.

Week 10 Bruner

Learning is a discovery. I watch my 20 month old son, learn and discover each day. He likes to dig in the dirt, step in mud puddles, pull apart flowers. I feel as he engages in these somewhat destructive behaviors, he is actually learning! Children are naturally curious, and want to discover new things.

I think as teachers we can effectuate learning by plugging into peoples natural curiosity. I still remember a science lab I did in 5th grade. Our teachers gave us a mixture of lead, sand, sugar, and salt. In groups we had to figure out how to separate these items, using only a few items. We were all curious about this science project, and it was very memorable. This was a great activity, because it was not teacher lead, it was teacher guided, we came up with our own solutions, and tried to solve the problem. It was very empowering. As a teacher I try to think of ways that will also give students the joy of discovery.

Week 9 Situated Cognition

What is Learning...
Learning is gaining knowledge, that will hopefully be useful at some future date. Sometimes the knowledge might be needed for only a test, but I think learning is more meaningful if you will use the information in real life. Learning is a continuous process, and takes practice to master. Hopefully some of the 'practice' can be in a real life situation.
How can learning best be effectuated?
Learning is most effective when it can be applied to a real life. I am lucky because I have opportunities to take students on community field trips often. Students with disabilities often have a tough time generalizing skills across different settings. As a result, we take field trips often. If students are learning how to grocery shop, we teach them grocery shopping skills at school, we role play grocery shopping, and then we practice the skills we have learned at the grocery store. This helps students apply what they are learning to real life.

Case Base Week 8

What is learning?
Learning is growth. Learning is seeing things from a new perspective. Last semester I had a class where we studied Web 2.0, and it was about web applications. One of the goals of this program was to become life-long learners. It is amazing to me all of the knowledge available to us. Their is more knowledge available then we could ever possibly dream to learn. A high school teacher told our class we are only allotted a gallon full of knowledge in a vast ocean of life. The more I learn the more I realize their is to know.

This week learning about the case based theory, I have been thinking a lot about storytelling. I use social stories quite a bit as a teacher, as more of a therapy item. For example, I wrote a story about the fire drill for an autistic student scared to death of the fire drills. It may have gone something like this...
Sometimes at school we have a fire drill. Often fire drills come as a surprise. The fire drill is not meant to scare people. It is so all of the students know what to do if their were a fire. We all have specific places to line up.......etc, etc.
I guess I was always amazed at how well these usually worked. It is only the truth, written as a story. But students could connect with them, illustrate them, it became such a help to them. Moreover, I love stories, some of the most interesting people I know are fantastic story tellers. They have a way of making stories come to life. I had a very theatrical history teacher, it was so much fun to learn about history through his stories. Learning can be best effectuated when told in story form.

Week 7, motivational learning

What is learning?
This week I have been thinking about learning in the context of my life. It seemed that during high school, I would learn to get a grade. I did not put much stock into my learning, and I don't think I took full advantage of my learning opportunities. In my pre graduate studies, I took learning a little more seriously, but still going to classes, doing homework, studying for finals was more a chore. I did not learn in the context of, how will I use this knowledge in my life? I think now that I am at the end of my formal education, I look at the classes I take as opportunities. As I take classes I try to apply the material to my life, and utilize it, not merely just get a grade. This has me wonder, is learning an attitude? Surprisingly, quite a few of the parents of students I have taught never graduated from High School. Usually, in the IEP meetings, the parent would explain to their child how important education is, and how they wish they would have stayed in school, and took advantage of it. I think we value learning more as we mature.
How can learning best be effectuated....
The teachers who have had the most impact on my life are teachers who are passionate about what they teach. Teachers who have experience in their field, love it, and want to share their knowledge with others. Usually these teachers have an interest in helping students share their same passion, or at least understand why they are passionate about their field of study. I think excitement about a subject rubs off on those you teach.

Week 6 Human Development

What is learning?
This week in pondering about learning, I have begun to ponder about knowledge. How do learning and knowledge differ? What is knowledge, and how does it relate to learning? Is knowledge the end result of learning? Piaget says to know an object is to act on it. Knowledge is not rote memorization or copying information. Knowledge is being able to modify, change, and transform an object. So I guess according to Piaget, we can learn many things, but only truly have knowledge on a few things. To a point I agree with Piaget. I have learned many things, but I do not still 'know' them. If you asked me to complete a derivative problem, I could not. At one time I could, but I have completely forgotten how. I am going to have to continue to ponder on this subject....
How can learning best be effectuated?
I have learned the most when I have been stretched. When I have had a task that I thought was just out of my reach, but somehow completed it. Looking back at the classes I have been privileged to take in my life time, I would have to say the classes that I have enjoyed the most are definitely not the easy ones. The classes I have valued the most have stretched my intellectual limits, and have caused me to think from a different perspective. My favorite teacher in high school, Mr. Staker taught me that learning causes us to expand our horizons and look at life differently. In Mr. Staker's class we learned the parts of the frog, the shrubs native to Utah, and how to appreciate the complexity and simplicity of life. Learning is best effectuated when it causes you to think in a way that you have not before.

Week 5 Schema

What is learning?

I have been finding my inner schema this week, about learning. As I mentioned last week, I think learning should be connected with our past experiences. I think this is very crucial in the younger age when students are learning so much. It makes learning more meaningful.

How can learning be best effectuated by teachers?

I think a teacher should connect what they are teaching to students experiences. I have taught a site based reading program called Edmark. I think this program is really good because it helps student immediately connect what they are reading to, to familiar objects. For example the student will read a sentence like put the apple in the box. After the student reads that sentence they put a card with an apple on it, on top of a card with a picture of a box on it. The real objects would probably be better, but the cards work well too. This helps the students realize the letters they are putting together refer to an actual object.

Week 4 Meaningful Learning

What is learning?

Should learning be meaningful? Should what we learn in our classes have meaning in our everyday life? I have been pondering these questions this week. As I mentioned in my last weeks blog, I am a strong believer in generalizing what we have learned into other areas. The more 'connections' we have with the content we are learning the more we will internalize what we learn. Learning is being able to connect with prior knowledge, other content areas, and future adaptations.

How can a teacher best effectuate learning?
I think in some skills it is hard to help students connect with experience, but it is extremely important. For example, I am taking a class where we are required to make a website using HTML, I have never used HTML, I have no previous experience with anything close to HTML, as a result, it is like learning a foreign language. However, my good teacher, has helped me out be comparing HTML to dictating a document. I have some experience with this, so it has given me some connections. These connections have helped me see the big picture of HTML. I think the more we can connect past experiences to learning new content, the better students will grasp what they are learning.

Week 3 Cognitism

What is learning?
The cognitive process is all about organization. How the content is organized helps the student learn the information. To learn something we need to know it, not just for the moment, or to pass a test, but to retain the information over time. As a teacher I am very concerned about how students generalize information from one setting to another. If I am teaching a reading class, and we are learning about comprehension, I want to generalize the comprehension strategies to multiple settings. For example we might practice the strategies by studying for a science test, or making a recipe.

How can a teacher best effectuate learning?

A teacher can best effectuate cognitive processing by breaking tasks into meaningful steps, and generalizing those skills in different setting. It is important for students to apply what they have learned to multiple settings so they can internalize their knowledge. I remember in college I took human biology, we were learning about the Krebb's cycle. I had a tough time with this concept, and today I could not tell you much about it. My boyfriend (now husband), was an Animal Science major, so I had him help me. He knew the Krebb's cycle in and out from other classes, and could explain it, and teach it, he really internalizes what he learns and remembers everything!! He definitely uses the cognitive process to learn most thing. I on the other hand never quite grasped the Krebb's cycle, I just memorized enough to pass the test. Hence, I was using the behaviorism theory, I wanted reward (a grade), and he used the cognitive process because he internalized it. In the long run internalizing the information is much more important, then simply being able to spit out information for the sake of the grade. As a teacher we need to reinforce to our students the importance of not only knowing the information, but being able to apply the information to everyday life.

Week 2 Behaviorism

What is Learning?
Learning is the act of gaining knowledge in a specific area. One of the greatest way to assess what has been learned is by physical evidence. As mentioned in the first post for this class, most of my knowledge about learning theories is that of behaviorism. One of the strong points of behaviorism is that learning requires an observable change. For example, if I am teaching students how to go grocery shopping, after the instructional unit, I would test their knowledge by observing if they could 1) make a list of ingredients for a specific meal 2)travel to the grocery store 3) find the needed ingredients 4) pay for the items 5) put items away in appropriate places. If a student could successfully complete the lists of tasks over multiple times, I would conclude that the student had in fact learned how to go grocery shopping. In sum, learning can definitely be an observable change in behavior. I do not believe this is the only form of learning, but I think it is one of the major ways in the school system checks for learning.
A contrasting example might be, during my Calculus class I took in college, I learned how to be disciplined in studying at the math lab for two hours each day. I was not tested on this, but I personally learned this was the only way I would succeed in passing this class.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?
I use principles of behaviorism all of the time when teaching students with severe special needs. For example, I taught a nonverbal student sign language. We worked on signing the letter W for a very long time, it was difficult for her to keep three fingers strait while grasping her thumb and pinky fingers. We would praise her efforts when she could successfully keep one finger up, then two fingers up, then finally three fingers up.

I also use the principle of positive reinforcement all of the time. It usually takes the form of verbal specific praise. For example, I might tell a student thanks for raising your hand. Reinforcement is all around us. I don't think I would be a teach school, if I didn't have the scheduled reinforcement of a pay check!

Additionally, I use the principle of chaining all of the time. I task analysize skills to make them into manageable steps for students with disabilities. For my lesson plan I am teaching how to introduce yourself. That skill is broken up into five steps; smile, look at the person, give a salutation, state name, and shake hands. This may seem very simplistic to most students, but many students with sever special needs need tasks broken up into very small chunks.

What does all of this have to do with being an effective teacher? I think a effective teacher, teaches content so that her learners understand, and can succeed. I also believe an effective teacher gives feedback both positive and negetive.

How can learning best be effectuated by a teacher or trainer?

How can learning best be effectuated by a teacher or trainer?  This is another very difficult question.  If there were a perfect answer, I am guessing we would not have so many learning/teaching theories.  I know from my own experience as a 'learner', I learn best when I am challenged to create or do something, rather then to merely read or hear instruction.  I think problem based learning is a very effective way to teach.  I think a teacher should be a guide, to help lead students through self discovery, and intrinsic motivation.  Having said that I believe that while teaching you should use a variety of teaching strategies/theories.   I have learned so much of behaviorism in my field of study that I can not discount it.  I believe we learn through practice, and that behaviors can be shaped through antecedents.  Teaching students with severe disabilities, I know the importance of rote practice in maintaining and acquiring skills.  I am excited to learn more about teaching theories, and to further shape my own personal theory of teaching.

As a teacher we have to find balance, and find our unique style of teaching to best serve those we teach.  Learning can be 'best effectuated' in a variety of ways. I think it is important for the teacher to consider both the content being taught and the individual students, when planning instruction.

What is learning?

What is learning?  That sounds like a simple question.  If you asked me that a couple years ago, I might have been satisfied in coming up with a simple answer.  After taking some Instructional Technology courses, and while raising small children my perceptions have changed.  Learning is the processes of gaining knowledge, learning is a change in behavior, learning is the changing of attitude,  learning is acquiring knowledge or opinions through lifes experience.  Learning can be defined in so many ways.  I am amazed at my daughter Madelyn (almost 4), she will only wear pink and purple.  I certainly did not teach her to wear pink and purple, she had access to playing with dolls and toy tractors since she was a baby.  How did she learn this, who taught her this?  I think if I tried to teach her to love the color yellow, everyday, I would fail.  In contrast, I have been trying to teach her how to write the letter M for months now, we have tracing paper, and have practiced.  Through much practice she is getting better.  I guess these scenarios point out that learning takes many forms.

  I do not think I have a firm definition of learning, but I have a few things that I know to be true about learning.  Everyone has the capacity to learn.  As a special ed teacher I know this to be true.  Learning can be achieved in a variety of different ways, through life experiences, direct instruction, trial and error, conditioning, etc.

INST 6325

I will be utilizing this blog for my INST 6325 blog this semester.  The purpose of this blog will be to answer the questions, What is learning, and how can learning be best effectuated by a teacher or trainer?   I will relate these questions to different learning theories, as well as my own experiences as a special ed teacher.   I hope to receive feedback from my peers, as well as learn from my peers and their different experiences, and perceptions.

New Baby

 Savannah Rose Christensen

April 24, 2009

8 lbs. 11 oz.

19 1/2 inches

Week 13: Web 2.0 One last thing

I had so much fun doing the web 2.0 assignment.  It  was great to see what is available on the web.  The more I know the more I am overwhelmed by how much useful information is out their on the web.  This program has helped me on my life long learning quest by realizing their is so much out their!!!  I thought I knew a little something about web resources, but after completing the Web 2.0 I realize their is so much more!!  Improvement of the course:  I would just make sure all of the links still work because as I was going through, many did not work.  I would definately do another discovery program like this!!

Week 12: Web 2.0 Tag Clouds Rock

I have had so much fun playing with tag clouds on Wordle.  I did not realize that the valentine I made in a previous post was a type of tag clouds.  Tag clouds are fun ways to post information.  I made my tag clouds on library words.  This would be a fun title page for a report, or science fair project. Or a good beginning of the year activity for students to write words that describe them.  Super fun.

Week 11: Web 2.0 Podcasts and Movies

I had a lot of fun exploring this week.  For this week I surfed youtube, not a new experience but still fun.  I mainly looked for movies I could comment on for my Information Literacy Synthesis Assignment.  I found many videos on Media Violence and Children, many were spoofs on how media violence did not affect children I did find a few to comment on for my project here are the links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-a9O_rCRIE&feature=related  Entitled Violence on Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RupkNr4TbVA&feature=related  Entitled Effects of Media Violence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ui6zClK0xc  Good Interviews from every day people.

I found the Podcasts really fun.  Since I already have an iTunes account I chose that method to find podcasts.  I subscribed to Old Time Radio Westerns for my husbands.  He loves these shows.  He always listens to them when he is bailing hay all night.  (That is the only time they are on).  Now we can put them on the iPod and he can listen to them whenever he wants.  I am a good wife.

The library net looks interesting because I am not a librarian I could not figure out how to subscribe.  The tutorial really interested me.  I can not believe how much information is out their.

Information Literacy Activity 6

Okay, first the cell phone case, I think the author did a very nice job of synthesizing the articles about cell phone.  I did not agree with this person that she would just limit phone use all together.  I think that if their was a huge health concern, we would know all about it.  I think that is a little over reactive, but I am generally more easy going.  We all have to die somehow.  Maybe it will be from to much cell phone use (ha ha).

My Scenerio:  Is their a correlation between viewing violent media and violent behavior in children.

Like the cell phone case, my case had much contradictory information.  Their has been so many studies on this topic.  Most of the articles I have come across agree that their is a correlation, and violent TV viewing is not recommended for children.  However, most admit their are other factors as well, as to why a child might be aggressive.  I have learned a lot from researching these articles.  But I must say my ultimate educated decision is based on the research and some logic.  

Ultimately I think I would mention to my sibling the research I found on violence on TV.  I would not approach her by saying your kids are so violent because they watch to much violent TV.  I would simply point out that for a class I have been researching the effect of violence on TV has. I would let her know up front that I did find contradictory information. I would explain that most of the findings indicate that violent media viewing can effect children in the areas of aggression, desensitization, and fear.  Although I fully agree that you can not blame all violence on the media, I think we should recognize that it is their.  Logically, if you think about it, what good comes from children watching violent TV, or playing violent video games.  I think parents have the responsibility to censure what they watch, and educate children on how to make good viewing choices.  I might give my sister a library card, and tell her to read more books, rather then watching TV.

Information Literacy Activity 5

I was very excited to start researching the USU electronic library.  I used Ebscohost to find the following articles.  Like the cell phone example, I was able to find quality references.

Meanness Appears to Rub off on Viewers

This article was in USA today that summarizes a BYU students study to see if violence or 'meanness' would rub off after having viewed violent material.  The study was set up so that 53 college age women, participated in the study were asked to take part of a study, where they watched a violent movie or video clip then answered a questionnaire.  After they completed that activity and left the room a different researcher that was rude in nature asked if they would like to participate in a study involving reaction times.  The students who watched violent scenes were more aggressive to the rude researcher.  The findings suggest that parents should pay more attention to relational aggression when viewing television. 

Toppo, G. (n.d.). Meanness appears to rub off on viewers. USA Today, Retrieved March 19, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

Is Aggression in Children with Behavioural and Emotional Difficulties Associated with Television Viewing and Video Game Playing

This was a scientific Article that looked at different research done to see if their was a correlation between Children with Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties and viewing violent Television and video game playing.  Although this scientific study did not yield any results, the fact that it did not both intrigues and frustrates me.  Because of the results being contradictory or methodology being flawed, they could not find any consistent results.

 

Mitrofan, O., Paul, M., & Spencer, N. (2009, January). Is aggression in children with behavioural and emotional difficulties associated with television viewing and video game playing? A systematic review. Child: Care, Health & Development, 35(1), 5-15. Retrieved March 19, 2009, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2008.00912.x

Media Violence:  The Effects Are Both Real and Strong

This article contradicts the previous article completely.  It states that over the past 50 years media violence has been of concern for parents, psychologists, and sociologists.  One fact that I was surprised to learn was that in 1992 (pretty dated), that prime time television had 5 to 6 acts of violence, will Saturday morning programs had 20 to 25 acts per hour.  I wonder how many their are now?  I liked how this article took into account many different types of research such as correlational research, case studies, experimental studies, over a long period of time (50 years). Murray found that in general there were three main classes of effects including; aggression, Desensitization, and fear.  The author included studies that showed which part of the brain were active while watching violent media in eight children.  This is what really got me, it showed that viewing violence appears to activate brain areas involving arrousal and attention, detection of threat, episodic memory encoding, and motor programming.  

This APA recommends that American society should teach media literacy to children, so they have the ability to evaluate media.  Encourage the entertainment industry to link violent behaviors with social consequences (fat chance).  Develop a content based rating system for video games and interactive media.  Finally to have a warning before playing violent video games, or watching violent movies that it may increase aggressive thoughts and behaviors in children and adolescents.  To conclude the author says it is up to the public the parents, educators, concerned citizens to demand action from the media industry's and government.  I was most impressed with this article, I think it was very comprehensive, and convincing.

Murray, J. (2008, April). Media Violence: The Effects Are Both Real and Strong. American Behavioral Scientist, 51(8), 1212-1230. Retrieved March 19, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

 Imitating Life, Imitating Television: The Effects of Family and Television Models on Children's Moral Reasoning

This article looks at the effects of TV on moral reasoning.  This article found that violent television viewing has a negative effect on a childs ability to reason.  It indicates that children have a tough time distinguishing between fantasy and real life.

Krcmar, M., & Vieira, J. (2005, June). Imitating Life, Imitating Television: The Effects of Family

and Television Models on Children's Moral Reasoning. Communication Research, 32(3), 267-294. Retrieved March 19, 2009, doi:10.1177/0093650205275381

Information Literacy Activity 4

After looking over all of the research I realize that it is very important to find reliable resources on the web.  I think that their is so much information it is hard to sift through at times.  

The major findings I found through this first search was, yes their seems to be a correlation between violence on TV, and violent behavior displayed by children.  Children who watch violent television and video games typically engage in more violent behavior compared to those who do not.  I feel that this first preliminary search did not provide enough actual research studies.  It was mainly a summary of many research studies.

I would like to find some specific research studies.  I still do not at what age TV violence effects children the most (toddlers, children, teens).  I still do not think I have enough information to make an informed decision.  I think if I search academic databases such as Ebscohost or Academic Search Premier, I will find more reliable sources.

I did this preliminary quest for information without the use of academic databases.  I found this search to be quite frustrating.  Their is so much information, and much of what I found was either opinions from parents, or general information without good citations.  I will be glad to search more academic type of databases. 

Week 9: Zoho--web 2.0 Online Applications and Tools

Wow, I must admit I was very skeptical before I looked at Zoho.  Zoho is an online word processor similar to Microsoft Word.  At first I thought no way, I love microsoft word, nothing could possibly come close.  Although I am not ready to get rid of Microsoft yet by any means, I do think I could create a professional looking document on Zoho.  I think it is amazing all of the free sources on the web for the public.

As I looked over the web 2.0 winners I found a funny site called Hairmixer.  (It took second place in fun stuff).  Any way what you do is download a picture of you, and you can put different celebrity hair on your face.  I must admit I could not get my face just right it looks a little funny.  It is super fun to play with though.  I will post a picture, I think it is the new me.

Week 8: Web 2.0 RSS and Newsreaders

RSS, is a simple way to consume information and save your precious time.  If you are the type of person that follows different new and bargain websites this is for you.  You sign up for a free bloglines account, and find the sites you used most.  I have chosen to follow the dictionary word of the day site, and the quote of the day site.  I must confess, I usually do not follow many sites mainly because I am busy trying to follow my Information Access, and Technology classes discussion board.  Maybe they should create a blogline for that!!!

Information Literacy, Activity 3

When I first started searching out information on Violence on TV and its effect on children, I first started by searching 'violence and TV'.  I used the google search engine.  I was pretty mortified at this first search.  Six of the ten research results were pre-made essay papers you can either buy or download for free.  Most were tried and tested to get good grades.  What is this world coming to?I did find one good source from that first search from the organization, American Academy of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry.  They provided a good general overview of what the research says, however it was written in 2002, so I should probably find something a little more recent.  I found really good information from 'parentstv.org'

Most all of the information I found was from parent organizations, or psychiatric organizations.  I tried to find information from news organization and news reporters.  Sure enough I could not find much information at all.  I guess the news does not want their viewers to know the truth about how violent the shows they have are.  I did find one website that had tips for watching the news with their children.  The information sources I found did not have an agenda, with the exception of the websites trying to sell pre-made essays.  I did find information that I do consider pretty legitimate based on the organization the information is from.    

Who is funding the research?  Most of the information I found was from psychiatric and parent organizations.  Most of their research methods were looking over and compiling studies that have been made in the past from universities and organizations.  I suppose the parents organizations might have their own agenda of taking the media down, or improving the media.

The issue that emerged most important was that many, many tests have been done on this subject, and they collectively admit that TV violence does correlate with violence in children in many ways.   Such as becoming immune to violence, gradually accepting violence as a way to solve problems, and even imitating the violence they see on TV.  Because in the exercise were not supposed to search the scholarly journals I would be interested to see some more specific studies, and not a summary of them all.  I would like to know what age groups are most likely to imitate violence, and how much TV kids should watch.

My search in comparison to the cell phone search.  I do not think our search was completely similar.  We both used google to find answers to our questions.  The cell phone researcher found information that was funded by cell phone companies.  I thought I would find research funded by the TV stations say that TV was not violent.  In my searches I did not.  I am sure if I tried harder I could probably find some, but the TV producers information was not on the surface of the Web.  As in my research the cell phone researcher led to more questions.  The bloggers comment definitely added more questions such as the cell phone damage in your pockets to other parts of your body.  Also they added suggestions on where to look.  So if any of you have ideas for me, let me know!!

Sources I found most interesting:

http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_and_tv_violence

http://parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/stateindustryviolence/main.asp

Week 7: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati: del.icio.us

This weeks learning 2.0 assignment was to check out blog tags, on del.icio.us.  I must say I was not extremely impressed.  It seems that my bookmarks bar can do just about the same thing.  However, it can not tell me other popular sites according to me interests etc.  I honestly feel overwhelmed with all of this web-mania.  I think it has some good points.  I just don't think I would have the time to luck into it that much, in real life.

Journal Entry for Activity 2, Information Literacy

I choose to study about scenario number one which reads.

"You notice your nieces and nephews watch a lot of violent television and play a lot of violent video games.  You also noticed a change in their behavior.  You want to say something to your siblinb, but you aren't sure what to say.  You are interested in learning how violence on television affects a child's behavior"

What do you already know about the scenario you selected?

I have heard that their is a correlation between television violence, and violence done by children.

What are you uncertain about?

I am uncertain how much television viewing, causes violent behavior.  What the target ages are.  What type of violent media, TV, movies, video games?  

What are some of the specific questions that you have about the issue?

What are some  studies concerning violence and media?  How do you know if a child's violence is due to media or other factors?  Which type of media is most likely to cause violence?  How is violence most often displayed?

What do you need to know to understand the issue better?

What is the recommended maximum viewing of TV of children of different ages?  What types of shows are my nieces/nephews watching? 

KEY WORDS for searching:  Violence, television, video games, media

Reflection of Example:

I could not believe the example of the cell phones popping popcorn.  I must admit when I first saw it, I believed it.  I did not know a website like snoops exist.  I think that is a great example of indirect advertising.  I really did not think it was that funny, like the man on CNN who created the videos claimed.  After seeing all the clips it does make me wonder about radio waves and cell phone usage.  It might be helpful to read an academic journal article on the subject.

Week 6: Web 2.0 Play Happy valentines!!

I made this valentine from the generator blog.  I could not figure out how to save the animation anyway, it was super fun.  Happy valentines day Madelyn & Sawyer!!

Information Literacy Assignment

Activity 1

How important is the skill of information literacy?

Information literacy is the ability to both find and utilize information.  I think this skill is extremely important.  We have so much information at our fingertips, if we can find it.  Being able to sift through all of this information is power, because of the time we save, and the information we gain.

Why is it important to understand that there are various types of information that can found in different ways, using different tools?

I think this is important because each different source, location, has some definite benefits.  For example a library has books, encyclopedias, magazines, scholarly journal.  An added bonus is a reference librarian is usually available to help you in the search, if you are still learning like I am.  In addition libraries usually pay for subscriptions to specialized online research such as electronic journals etc.  

Another huge source for information is the internet.  So much free information is given on the internet.  However, it is skill to be able to find information that you need.  By researching search engines we can greatly improve our success at finding information on the web.  I recently studied the search engine Dogpile, and I was amazed at the tips and tricks I learned just by researching on Dogpiles home page.  In Utah, we have a huge resource it is the search engine PIONEER, that anyone who is a citizen of Utah can use.  This search engine includes many databases for scholarly journals.  If you have kids in school, I am sure they can tell you all about it.  The internet is great because it is so accessible.

Why is it important to have good searching skills?

So you can get results.  Find relevant results that help you find the information you need quickly.  So you fully understand what different sources have to offer, so you can find the source(s) that best fits your query.  As I said above, if you have good searching skills, you find the results you need in a timely manner.  I have known people to say, the internet has so much information, if only I could find what I am looking for.  I do not think information literacy is something you are born with, it takes time and development to acquire this talent.

Week 5: Web 2.0 SKYPE

If any of you out there do not know about SKYPE, I highly recommend it if you have family out of the area.  It is so much fun.  It is basically a free video phone.  My sister is going to be in Hawaii this summer, so I think we can stay in contact :D

Week 4: Web 2.0 Wiki Wiki Wow

This week we are learning about Wiki's.  Wiki are databases that users create.  The most famous being Wikipedia.  I did not know how many wiki pages are out their.  Last semester our instructional design class created our own wiki pages on instructional design theories.  It was a lot easier than I imagined it to be.

This is a face only a mother could love.  This is my boy how I like him best, good and dirty.  We can not wait for spring to get here, we are so tired of being cooped up in the house.

Week 3- Photo and Images: Flickr

So, I  studied flickr, and I must admit that it sounds very fun. I have a similar account at www.heritagemakers.com.  I liked the fact that on flickr you could edit your pictures, whereas on Heritage I have to edit my pictures before I go.  Heritage makers is more into digital scrapbooking, then creating a book poster, pages, etc. on what you made.  I also like how it is easy to share photos using Flickr.  Flickr is a great tool for free digital editing.

Week 2 Web 2.0: 71/2 habits of life long learning

I think the easiest habit for me is number 7 and 1/2 play, explore, curiosity. I am a natural curious person, and with two young children, I have a lot of experience with play.  I think one of the best ways to learn is to explore something that you are interested in or learn a new hobby.

I think the hardest habit for me is number 3, View problems as possible challenges.  It is sometimes hard for me to see the light when I am in a dark situation.  

New to Blogging

This is my first ever blog, so I am kind of excited.  I am doing this for my library class.  Anyway, I am excited to get started!!