CEdu 571 - 02/09/11

1. Describe 2 ideas that were brought up in the Article #2 discussions.  How can you relate this information to your professional life?

I really liked the web-based informational games to both learn and teach reference skills.  I think that's a great way for students, at least in the primary grades, to get not only exposure to reference learning, but to additional computer access and use (which is lacking in my schools).  I also liked the idea of a "wiki sandbox" that students could freely edit and play with.  Many times, learners learn better when things are more hands-on.  At least I know I am.

2. Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings for this week.  Why was it significant for you?

In Ch. 3, in talking about style, the importance of teaching about editorials was mentioned.  It referenced that some students would use editorials as factual references if not taught the difference.  Heck, I find that many adults have that issue.  I also liked the evaluation checklist at the end of that chapter as a student research tool to evaluate the worth of reference pieces.  Though I could perhaps only apply it in a simpler form to my primary students, I thought it seemed good.  Plus, I could use it myself in evaluating the validity of some of my own references.

3. How is the Internet Log coming?  Questions/concerns?

Slowly.  Honestly, I keep putting it off.  I hate to be the excuse maker, but a ton of other things keep getting in the way of working on work.  And I'm not worried yet, but soon I'll be approaching critical mass.

4. Library Visit Questions?

I have none.

5. Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?

None about these yet either.  My tiny corpus callosum allows me to multi-task about 2 things at a time, and one of them is breathing...  So I haven't given these a ton of thought yet.

6. (Louis Question) – How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.

They haven't yet effected my professional life, I don't think.  I learned about a few strategies to get unretractable teachers onboard with technology, including administrators.  And I also learned a few new cool websites to help reference instruction!  Neat-O.