Impressions of EC&I 832: The Internet and Curriculum Integration

Personal Reflections on:

1.) What significant footprints have you made in the sand as a result of this class?
What are you now aware of and familiar with that was not a part of your sandbox prior to this class?
What achievement/progress/insight are your most proud of?

2.) As you move forward from this class, what new possibilities are guiding your thinking?
What new opportunities related to the Internet and your work do you want to pursue?

3.) Who will be walking along side you or playing along side you as you move ahead?
(Will it be students, administrators, colleagues, other educators in cyberspace, blogger etc.?)

I believe I have made many significant gains, and passive and active footprints in in my online journey beginning with just knowing what a digital footprint is. By logging on, I have made a digital footprint and actually knew I was creating one at the time I was doing it, is probably the first and most important realization I arrived at because of this class.

Knowing that I am making inroads into cyberspace willingly by choice to actively be participating,creating, collaborating and even having ideas of where to start looking and connecting on the Net has been a huge step forward because of what I may find there to help me learn,teach and understand are two more big prints in my learning journey. I realize that everyone had to start somewhere and that it is never too late to start learning about Web 2.0 because Web 3.0 is already happening. Sometimes when a person has too many choices, no choice is actively made except to not make a choice and therefore turn off the power. I am still embarrassed somewhat to think that my laptop was used primarily for Microsoft word documents that I created , searching the online libraries of the world for online resources and to play Mahjong before I started this class, even though I was paying for wireless high speed access!

I am now aware of all sorts of Web 2.0 tools and sites that I can access to find resources such as experts and others like myself who I can connect with to actively discuss questions, analyze problems and solutions to help myself and my students on any given day at any given hour. I have learned that "nobody is smarter than everybody" and as Einstein said "We are greater than the sum of our parts" and online access offers us this bonus of 'connected knowledge' quickly, quietly and very effectively. We can all be challenged to make slow and steady gains on the Internet. If I want to learn about something specific, I know it is out there and equally accessible to all types of learning styles. Differetiated instruction is now more easily accomplished with Information Communication Technologies.

The achievement I am most proud of is finding the courage within myself to believe that I could do this class despite feeling that there was tremendous, almost unbearable amount of technological knowledge that I didn't have to start the class with. I know now that by continuing to take a risk to reach out to strangers and even my own students that I will find answers to an ever growing list of questions that crops up on a daily basis when learning about and using the Internet. Fear is based on ignorance according to Vicki Davis and to manage this is to take charge and learn.
I was happy with learning how to create a blog and to accept that the problems that cropped up were manageable but also a necessary part of the learning experience. In addition, I know that any blog I create in the future will be better because I know more strategies now and have more connections to ways to make it better. (Everyone I work with is encouraged to get an email address!!)It is a scary but inspiring and an empowering fact to be able to publish as quickly and easily as a click of a key when something is created.

As I grow in my understanding of how technology is quickly changing the world and how I can utilize the tools to take my learning forward in a positive way, I know that Vicki Davis calls for creating 'intra connections' or working partnerships first with local people then on an increasingly more 'inter connected' or global basis so we can help ourselves and each other to create "flat classrooms". Helping others also helps us to filter useful from non useful information that may or may not have a shelf life as the 'half life of knowledge shrinks' as quickly as new information is created. To collaborate to find better solutions and and new questions that drives us in a new direction in our world development, communicate with others who offer a different perspective so we can help our students see that together we can become better problem solvers using the 'highest order of thinking skills' , critical and creative thinkers, and motivated team players willing to take risks and do things never done before in history.

The new possibilities that are now guiding my thinking are to take advantage of social networking sites like Twitter and Ning in order to make contacts in order to create a 'global knowledge bank' as K-12 online conference participants say where I can go to for ideas and help.
I would like to use wikis and blogs to enhance my students' school experiences ,keep track of day to day gains , keep a paperless archive on my own learning , to learn new knowledge and ideas from other's contributions, give and receive feedback and have support on project based learning activities. With colleagues and community members , I would like to share professional development learning opportunities by creating ,leading, and participating in these learning adventures. Then I would like to collaborate with others on collaborative based projects on a global level.
Because I believe that together we are greater, I am willing to work with and learn from my students, teaching colleagues, and others in the cyber classrooms of the world. I want to build a "Flat Classroom!"

I would like to thank my instructor Marnie McMillan for her encouragement, support, direction, and for sharing her insights, knowledge and secrets for success. In addition, every member of this class through their own pubished works and valuable comments as well as everything that I have read about as a result of this class has added an immeasurable amount to my learning and understanding. Not only have I learned , I feel I have bigger and better questions and my curiosity is larger than life and for that I am thankful and very appreciative.

Block Eight Highlights

I understood the term "disruptive technologies" by Dr. Clayton Christenson from Harvard's School of Business to mean that someone from somewhere along the steady flow of progress that we have traditionally followed, will grow from the 'bottom of the market' or go and grow against the traditional and expected grain of progress in a least expected or determined way. This new link provides a more functional and more successful advantages for members who no longer have or want a place in regular mainstream . A great example of this is creating programming via technology for students who want an education but cannot afford the high cost of tuition at a university or meeting the needs of those students whose own school cannot provide the courses they require because of a lack of teachers or service providers. Prince Albert Grand Council and a college in Alberta created a Virtual High School called Credenda. Students in PAGC schools in N.Sask. can take H.S. sciences and math online. THey meet on a regular basis online with their colleagues (teachers and classmates) and many are passing 20 and 30 classes with very good marks because the students love meeting online and they want to learn.

In essence, the failure of educational institutions to do their job of providing an education for students becomes the impetus for business organizations to get involved, take over, and do a better job providing students with an education that prepares them for their future quicker, better, and all the while making a profit. The motto of Florida's Virtual High School is "any time,any place, any path, any pace". This school's disruptive technology offers "personalized instruction" and "dynamic, flexible,engaged learning". The normal 4 walled classroom has become 'flat' according to David Warlick and CoolCatTeacher blogger Vicki Davis and in Oprah's words, the planet's "largest classroom" is created as students chat with professors via Skype, video conferencing, and use a myriad of other ICT's as they take courses with classmates who may never greet each other in real time.

Not using technology also puts us in a predicament when trying to create understanding and place in a world full of "chaos" or 'unpredictability'. By reaching out to others to help 'make meaning and create connections we can begin to make sense of the unpredictability of patterns which are occurring in our technological age. George Seimens stands out most in my mind from the last two weeks as I have heard a podcast by Dr. Christenson mention both words again and again in reference to the changes we need address to keep up with as a result of our dependence and need for technology.

The bottom line is that technology is here to stay and is changing the world as we know or knew it at an incredibly quick rate. Struggling digital immigrants need to grab hold of one's fear and forge ahead anyway in an act of courage and determination. Somewhere along this journey I learned that it is better to 'manipulate technology than to be manipulated by it' and our roles as learners and educators requires that we strive to prepare children ethically and safely as they increase their abilities and opportunities creatively, collaboratively, and in connection with global partners.

As Will Richardson says "teachers must be willing to be connectors...in order to give students meaningful, relevant opportunities to teach the rest of us what they know." http://www.flatclassrooms.com/Reviews

Glogowski's Blog Assessment Findings

Konrad Glogowski did research on 21st C assessment on blogging communities and literacy. Students participated by completing a variety of writing tasks but he soon started to question his own role as a teacher/researcher in the blog process. He said he didn't want to just assign work or evaluate the work and felt his role should consist of something more. During this process, he "developed an assessment strategy" that was more than just a mark! The strategy took into consideration many things such as "accounting for the complexity of student interactions online and recognizing the process as much as the final product."
"http://www.teachandlearn.ca/blog/2009/02/20/thoughts-on-assessment/

Glogowski discovered that his students helped him create an effective assessment tool. In his reflections and by observing the students' interactions with each other he saw the following: Students own blog participation in their written assignments, brainstorming,feedback, engagement in discussions,personal reflections about the choices of work they committed themselves to, and questions and comments they asked and gave to each other.

He realized the students were asking each other rather than their teacher for support because he wasn't writing, 'contributing or participating' in the assignments or an active member in their 'community of writers'. The students wanted ideas to help make their writing better. He realized upon reflection that they didn't yet want a grade which they perceived his only role as being.

Glogowski says that correcting and marking does not 'engage students' in their work and yet that has been the role of most teachers' level of teaching in a student's life. "This kind of practice does not engage our students in those rich interactive processes of talking about their work and their ideas."

K.Glogowski saw himself and most teachers as only being present and confident for the 'beginning and ending' of the student's participation in his class. He introduced the assignment and waited for the finished product. He completely was absent and unsure about his role from the 'rich middle'part of the student's academic practices: 'Online conversations, blogging,brainstorming, giving and receiving feedback, and engaging them in conversations.'

The most obvious thing for Glogowski to do was to engage, get involved, participate in these vital student discussions about their work beginning with the brainstorming of ideas through the process of creativity and "complex and interactive process of knowledge building", as well as making and taking the opportunity to learn more about exactly who he was teaching and how they perceived themselves to be as "students and as individuals."

The message is that teachers need to expand their focus from presenting content and assessment to that of becoming an active and willing participant in the learning process- finding out how students learn, engage in the process of learning and initiating "rich interactions" to help support them in their discoveries as students and as people.
Collaboration and co assessment between students and teacher needs to occur to remove the traditional "hierarchical relationship that exists between teacher and learner."
The 'process of learning and assessment' is reciprocal when a teacher enters the students' domain intending to support and engage rather than solely evaluate or judge. The students are also able to voice their opinions and questions about their ideas without fear of being graded solely on the finished product. The process of writing and the conversations held about writing becomes an integral part of the assessment.

The best part of the blog process in this class has been listening to and reading the others' opinions and questions. I have heard others agree that they have never read so much as they have in the last two months and this has led to an awareness and improved practice in the are of Web 2.0 tools. More than a few of us have said it would be great if we all had more time to do more reading, conversing, and writing.Wow! What great qualities for any student to have!!

My own students like submitting ideas for checklists they can follow during a unit study. If they can contribute they can most likely meet that criteria with one or two more in tow. When I hear conversations between two students that are genuine and happen to be about the topic of study without any prompt from me, I feel good. I also feel like they have assumed responsibility for their own enquiries and are searching out a solution or assistance with a collaborator.

K-12 Online Conference Mini Presentation

Class assignment about P.D. online

Reflections on Present and Future Learning Opportunities

The Internet can be used for Professional development in education in the following ways:


1.Introduction to the latest variety of tools which educators can utilize in their classes to help teachers/students learn how to present information, show understanding of new knowledge, create and extend learning with others in the same class and in global learning forums, identify teachers/students' own interests by showcasing their strengths.

2. Create online communities of support for sharing/teaching/learning purposes.
We are no longer isolated in the north.

3. Access the best presenters with the latest ideas/ strategies.

4. P.D. opportunities comes to the school- no financial expense after the initial cost of hardware. Teachers do not have to travel. No more expensive fees for conference organization,keynotes etc.

5. Educators can access info on own time.

6. Contacts and Connections are made on a global basis.

7. Immediate and endless solutions/possibilities.

8. Introduce, and then continually increase and improve own skills with technology.

9. Communication lines are open and problem solving now is available 24/7.

10. No matter where you are: physically-mentally-spiritually-emotionally, your class and school can be involved in some project of your own creation or in the midst of another created by others.

11. Custom made P.D. for your unique group's needs.

12. Continuous upgrade of personal and professional knowledge/skills in many areas.

Personally, I feel that my online learning opportunities for the present and future are 'limitless and endless'. It is a choice we make which determines the route(s) we will follow. I know that by creating a connection with my global community of learners that I will always have access to some one's opinion, ideas, suggestions, warnings, or working partnership(s). I have the freedom to decide, choose, initiate, and participate.

If I choose to not participate in online learning, I am cutting off a huge source and highway of information flow as hard copies of information are becoming less and more limited in its existence. By the very fact that the 'shelf life' is becoming shorter and more expendable, I will be reduced to using outdated or perhaps false information. As an educator, I will not be providing my students with the ways and means to keep up with global changes or allowing them to be active participants in global,national, provincial communities' efforts to improve our living and learning situations. In short we will live and work in isolation,going only with what we know as opposed to putting our creative and connected minds together to increase what we know and absorb new ideas to cocreate new possibilities in all the areas of life.

Lessons Learned on K-12 Online

2007 K-12 Presenter Lisa Durff says students' 'imagination is sparked' when you can use TeacherTube or YouTube to start a lesson. She can evaluate and check on her students' work progress anytime or anywhere by logging onto Google Docs where she requests that every student she works with signs up at the beginning of the year.Rather than wait until it is too late to help her students, she can see the warning signs long before the storm hits on the assignment due date.This is a terrific tool for helping Middle Years and High School keep track of their assignments and due dates like a day planner might help a teacher. Google Reader and RSS are also requirements for her students to use. Once students see everything on one page, their frantic cries for help are quelled.

Her students seek out her help by using Meebo, a texting tool, after hours and she can respond in seconds or not depending on her choice to be available or not.Skype is also a benefit to her students' success as they connect with each via this tool when working on collaborative papers or presentations. She advocates for allowing students time to discover and experiment with the tools. Parents and others may refer to this as 'play time' but it is active, information seeking, problem solving, confidence building work time.
Her consistent message for teacher, students and everyone was " access free software and start practicing today!!"

Sylvia Martinez, another 2007 presenter in the Obstacles to Opportunities Strand for
"Challenging Assumptions About Technology Professional Development" echos Einstein's sentiments and asks 'why do we keep doing more of the same and expecting different results?' in reference to schools wanting to give their teachers more PD in technology in out of community and out of context situations. It does not work!
"Discussion of Practice outside of community DOES NOT create a community of practice."

The GenYes organization of which she is the President, staunchly stands for utilizing students as mentors and guides for teaching PD to teachers in their classrooms within the context that they would be using the tools. After all,students make up the NET generation and 92% of the school's population while teachers only are 8% of the pop. Why not use this valuable available resource?

This PD is done before school hours and the PD benefits both students and teachers who sign up year after year. Not only do students learn about curriculum requirements , or how to use clear and concise communication skills, but also develop an appreciation for how difficult it is to be a great teacher. Many students say they feel great that they can share their knowledge and be respected for it even though they are only children.

Technology Allows For Constructivist Learning:
Collaboration
Breaks down the barriers between teacher-learner
Student centered
Teacher/learner; learner/teacher;learner to learner
Project based
Inquiry based
Choices/options to pursue student initiated projects
Experiential
Build knowledge on prior knowledge
Democratic- teacher is now not expected to be the only source of knowledge
Reflective/discussions about learning
Time to process
Mistakes are allowed in learning "looked at as step to understanding" Martinez
Teacher is no longer expected to be ' the sage on the stage'

This model that GenYes particpates in is alive and well in over 1200 schools world wide, is free for anyone to use and it is extemely successful.

Students say to be treated like a colleague makes them want to behave and try their best and as a result , they have created a wonderful change in climate within the school culture and are an instrumental part of a win-win situation. Classroom management issues are reduced and classroom sharing and learning potential is astronomically increased. The constructivist learning environment is now enveloped in a values based practice.

In order to arrive at determining what is needed for your school, Martinez says you should ask questions about what doesn't work and everyone will know that they should try something else such as the opposite of what didn't work and then you will arrive at more possible solutions.

Martinez also says to question whether the pedagogy surrounding the assumption that learning outside of the community of practice is really all that helpful. She uses many research studies to support her findings that teachers cannot transfer their new skills to the classroom despite numerous workshops on the skills because it is done in isolation, there is a division in the learning and this kind of learning is short-lived. The "Theory of Community of Practice" where people learn in a supportive environment with other people through practice in meaningful work is the way to go. All we have to do is look to the past and Apprenticeship Models which practically occurs in every profession except Education, and even long after the apprentice become an adept journeyman they still have ongoing support and development.

This process of questioning, probing and practicing together in community therefore results in the development of new paradigm because the students now see real problem solving in action, how to communicate effectively when asking for help or providing help, and in the working together for the good of the group the teacher and her students become positive role models for each other. Students develop positive life skill while becoming successful community citizens.

S. Papert says "The genius of the idea is not in doing more of the same that does not work- Gen Y goes against the grain of traditional thinking of P.D."

Block 7 Reflections

My first impression about PD online is that 'it appears to be limitless.' As Wesley Fryer notes on one of the Wiki spaces of K-12 Online, you can "learn in your own space at your own pace."
It is also important to note that a person has to be focused in the direction of online PD to know what is out there in cyberspace. I had my own lap tap for two years and it is only this year that I even know about online PD or even where to look to access it.

When you have support and guidance, take the time and make the effort to seek out PD opportunities- the learning rewards are worthwhile. That being said, I now feel that when I take the time to explore, my gains far outweigh the losses that I might incur as my confidence and ability grows. The only real problem I have is regulating my time in front of the computer.

Three main features that I appreciate about online PD are knowing that: I can find support if I start to reach out by asking questions; By taking time to search, I will come across new skills and strategies or issues that make me more aware and informed in my practice; I don't have to know it all because there are others in cyberspace that are willing to share and collaborate. A bonus is that my students are great resources to help me move forward in my online journey.By utilizing their technological skills I welcome them onto the teaching platform. The teacher student relationship becomes reciprocal and the student becomes an ally, mentor and colleague.

Every day that I am online, I learn another skill which leads me towards other discoveries. At times I find creativity deep within my own abilities and other times I am able to create a focus on understanding the broader issues in the world such as collaborating globally, engaging the underused talents of local resources and expert cyber resources,connecting peoples' ideas to some of my own, and bringing in new ideas to help others find their own solutions. Mostly, I feel empowered to share what I find and equally satisfied that I may become the recipient of the next person's take on new found knowledge or skill.

After listening to Podcasts from the K-12 Online Conference, I have learned that true differentiated teaching and learning styles are easily addressed by using the tools of technology.
There are many benefits of becoming a practioner of Classroom 2.0 , Web 2.0,or any online learning opportunity. Most important is the shortness in space and time to which you begin building your repetoire to include as much as you are able to absorb and then some, as long as you have access.

K-12 Online Conference

Fun and Interesting!

Video clips called Teasers are used in K-12 Online Advertising to encourage potential 'participants' to engage in online learning. It is a taste of what the participant will learn about in a paricular session. Animoto is an application used by many presenters in K-12 Online conference sessions. I thought I would try a 30 second clip which took me about 2 hours to make... as I had to listen to alot of songs and search for alot of images. I actually had a great time doing this! My first effort was last night, no , actually early this morning. I posted it, dreamt about it , got worried, removed it, and created a second one ... but I still like the first one!!!

The message that the Teasers send are numerous. The content ranges from
the benefits that participants gain by collaborating in joint discussions ,providing reflections and fielding questions to expert teachers and authorities, learning about great Web 2.0 tools and how to use them. The purpose of K-12 Online Conferencing is to create opportunities to engage learners who take ownership of their skill development and build an awareness and practice of what others have to share and what strengths they can offer in collective collaborative relevant projects.

Animoto is a 'custom video creation of images, text and music.' There is a fast turn a around, easy sharing methods, a remix video with your initial video and it is free for limitless numbers of 30 second clips. Full length videos can be made for a small fee.

Why K-12 Online? WhyNot?

Remix

Wapaw Podcast #1

First Ever Pod Cast -"There's still alot to be learned..."

http://wapaw.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-03-07T18_59_54-08_00

Special Thanks to Bella and fellow Wapanacak Staff for organizing such a great event, to Kelly for grooming the trails and congratulations to everyone for trying their best, whether it was skiing, walking or snowshoeing.

Always a Place for Hope, Kindness, Respect..

"Optimism syndrome"

"The most famous class at Harvard University, attended by some 900 students twice a week, is a class on Positive Psychology taught by a young professor named Taal Ben Shahar. This class focuses on providing insight that leads students to the path of happiness, optimism, and hope. There are more students enrolled in this class than classes that teach them how to make more money and become rich, i.e., Economics. This goes on to show that people value virtues and positive life experiences, even more than money and success in career." http://www.affectiveteaching.com/?p=260

This posting is very uplifting, especially at this time when there are soooooo many things happening in our community, and in our personal, professional and academic lives. Lessons, discussions, and practice regarding values allows an individual to create a path and guidelines for themselves in order to actively engage in all important matters that come their way in a sensible ethical manner.
Someone mentioned to me once that a teacher has no time or right to teach values because if we do we are taking the role of a parent and displacing them and not spending enough time on the really important matter of curriculum.
I have always believed that an important part of a teacher's responsibility is to model and share all that allows us to collaborate and communicate in a positive, productive, and inspiring fashion. Our global village members might be wise to remember it takes a village to raise a child!

The Significance of Information Literacy in the Digital Age

The reason for learning information literacy in the digital age is for responsible and effective communication between people and even with machines. In my mind, this is what is the bottom line or ultimate goal for learning about information literacy.

Personal safety stands as the number one important issue in regards to the significance of seeking information literacy in the digital age. Teaching users the skills to use to determine what is safe and what is not safe is critical as the users get younger and the threats grow larger. A second and equally important reason for information literacy is to enable the user to effectively, efficiently and knowledgably navigate through the inordinate amount of information that is exponentially multiplying as we speak. There are many problems to solve and users need to be great problem solvers/ solution finders as the changes that are occurring cannot wait years for attention. Users have to be asking the right questions in their efforts to learn how to learn. They need to know what they need, why they need it and how to use the information they find, and they need to be able to determine if the information is reliable. We want them to be ethical in their practice and use sound reliable data to support their decision making in their personal, educational,and work life .

Knowing how to search and what to search for are common goals to work toward as they discover amazing tools that aid in their journey on the information technology highway that so far has no end in sight. According to futurist, Alvin Toffler, "the illiterate of the 21 Century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." Our students need to be information literate, lifelong learners."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Toffler#cite_note-1

**This is an excellent ebook! "Literacy and Learning for the 21st Century: Redefining Literacy for the New Information Landscape" found at
http://davidwarlick.com/wiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LiteracyAndLearningNarrative

"A Ha" Moments in the Digital Age

These moments of clarity have come at funny and unexpected times for me.

I'm always telling my students to give themselves chances to see with an open mind and be receptive to new possibilities. I didn't take my own advice when I came across the Soccer Challenges and almost perceived them to be childish. Boy, was I wrong! And I did have to try and try again to get at least to the 50% mark. But what a feeling of accomplishment as opposed to having to sneak a peek at the answers to beat the system or game. I wasn't even tempted to see the answers. That short lesson on key words will stay in my mind , hopefully! You have to know what you're looking for and this comes from a person who is overwhelmed by all the yellow at Superstore so she never goes in there and or Wal-Mart with all of the choices and can't seem to remember why she even went into the store when all the stuff comes into view !!!

Recently, I remembered back to our first Master's class when Cara Bradley came to La Ronge and talked about Boolean terms which "refers to a system of logical thought developed by the English mathematician and computer pioneer, George Boole (1815-64)." " Boolean logic is a form of algebra in which all values are reduced to either TRUE or FALSE. Boolean logic is especially important for computer science because it fits nicely with the binary numbering system, in which each bit has a value of either 1 or 0. Another way of looking at it is that each bit has a value of either TRUE or FALSE."
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/Boolean_logic.html. I've posted this URL and now I am having a bit of doubt about it's authenticity and reliability. Looks like I need more practice.Yikes!
I was sure I was hearing Cara incorrectly and was amazed I had never heard that word before. I have since learned other interesting words like hyponyms ( words with special meaning ), Hypernyms ( words with more generalized meaning), and then finally a familiar word- synonyms when trying to decide what words to choose when creating an effective search word.
I read somewhere that Shakespeare had about 10 thousand words to use in his day while Eminem had approximately a million. I see why now!!!!


I've had to laugh at myself many times since Cara's first computer library search techniques when I think back to the difficulties I had coming up with no results in my cybrary search for a topic and ended up with NO RESULTS found! At first I was in total disbelief that the system couldn't find one darn book or article I wanted and now I know I wasn't giving it specific information that it needed to do its search...And I couldn't get over what effect the little quotation marks had on the whole search!!
There are 'keywords- effective 'as is', intermediate words- reflect the most important ideas', words with little effect, and stop words'. I guess my first year of search words most likely fell into the stop words category-ignored by the search engine! At this point, I can't say that I am an 'expert searcher' nor do I have a long list of 'professional technology vocabulary' but I do have a dictionary and thesaurus to help me get to those 'nym' words and 'as is' words.

Navigating the Net Effectively and Efficiently

At the end of the first adventure in Block 6, I must say that a nagging thought surfaced in my understanding of the issues in Internet safety . For two years prior, I now feel like I was like a sailor with no destination or tools just trying this or going there without much direction or just using what I had been able to accidentally discover or with the help of some passer-by! I cringe to think how much of my personal identity is now public knowledge and what kind of viruses/worms etc. I willingly 'let in' by accessing some junk mail.

I mentioned to someone that it felt like I now have these special lenses to focus on the treasure and filter out the junk from the treasure although at first glance it all seems valuable. Knowing what constitutes a red flag warning is invaluable:
- names or titles in URLs
-unknown domains
-"Angelfire, Geocities and Tripod are popular web hosting sites that allow anyone to host a site"


It feels more scary to know that a trusting person has to be more careful because one definitely does not know by physical clues when looking any longer who might be honest or dishonest since you don't know where anyone on the net is from or who they are affiliated with if you do not know how to MAP. (from ideas in Alan November's "Empowering Students with Technology")

Alan November's term "Reading the grammar of the net" is comparable to learning a second language and having to come to terms with the fact that reality can be distorted in a convincing manner complete with graphics, names, titles, and references to similar legitimate sites and organization. The user definitely has to have a focus and a plan on how they will navigate and filter the useless or dangerous information.

I agree that many people, especially children explicitly believe authoritative figures and charlatans/predators take advantage of this quality in people as do companies/individuals to sell products/ideas or services, gather personal information, track usage, and entertain.

For the first time, I was introduced to the term " MAPping" which is a tool to help users navigate effectively and efficiently.

This acronym was useful to me for the following reasons:
1. Easy to understand
2.Examples were given to walk the user through the steps of locating and identifying important symbols and vocabulary.

"Metaweb Info: M in MAPping "
"The structure of information on the Internet: URLS, Links, search engines"

http://web.rbe.sk.ca/learningplus/informationliteracy/mapping.html

Some domain name abbreviations were new to me and this helped me to know that there will always be something new around the next corner as the Net is evolving so quickly and it is up to the user in many cases to update their knowledge to make informed decisions. This is especially critical in the case of elementary school age children who access the net unsupervised and in an unstructured pattern. The adults in these users lives whether they be parents or teachers need to be cognizant of the lessons required to teach these children how to navigate safely and how to determine for themselves what is legitimate or not.

"~" This symbol for me has been one that I never had to use until now. It also helped me to add the word "truncate" to my tech vocab. list.

I learned to use the Altavista seach engine and link command to find who should be linked to a quality site.

"/" I just accepted that this slash was part of the address, although I never knew why or what it's purpose was. 'By deleting the next backward slash and hitting return it was quick and easy to move back through the folders of the sited and locate the original source of the page.'

This was an "aha moment" that I had because I felt relieved to discover and feel really good about my self for being one baby step further along in my Internet practitioner's journey. I know that many people including myself do not ask questions about concerns or thoughts which are initiated from findings on the Net because they don't want to appear stupid. I no longer say with some measure of pride that 'I don't know much about the NET' which to me seems embarrassing now. Rather I am appreciating each time I learn something new that I am further along than I was yesterday. Literacy for me is a requirement now in order to do my job more effectively and efficiently

"A in MAPping: Understanding the author."

I still had difficulty with locating the author accurately and quickly in some of the exercises. I could not find the author 'Robert L.' of the AIDs Hoax site even after quickly reading through every page ,although many names with impressive titles were listed and looked like they could have been the author. I do see how many children would think the author of the site would be the name of the man in the first picture posted on the site, and many web masters might use this to their advantage.
I found myself getting frustrated and then upset when I couldn't find the 'contact info' or 'about us' information. It seems deliberate to try the patience of the user and know that many users would most likely give up the cause of searching. Hopefully this red flag would take them elsewhere for more reliable information.

It is important to find out who the author is , what their credentials, their reputation amongst others in their field are as well as who they are affiliated with. If this information is lacking, this is considered to be a red flag warning that the information is not credible.
Another way of knowing that a user could use was to type in the author's name and their topic in quotation marks in a Google search was an effective way to help determine credibility. Education and practice on a daily basis is the only way for students and all users to become effective, efficient and safe knowledgable users.

I wish I would have known this information before Christmas when
my nephew ordered skateboard clothing online from a 'company' in California which he later discovered was a private individual in a private residence with no license to sell. Although he had my nephew's money, he wasn't returning it because the clothing was 'in the mail' and it was now the fault of the Canadian postal service for not delivering. This was a hard lesson to learn but learned very effectively the hard way!

"P in MAPping: What is the purpose of the site?"

Viewing with a critical eye is very difficult to do especially when there is such a huge choice offered from which to select your information. It seems that the site creators know that the patience level and attention span of most users- millions of whom are youth under the age of 18 years- to sift though information is very short and most users will stop after the top two sites posted on any page and use that as their research material.

At the best of times, everyone is selling something to someone:Entertainment; Ideas; products or services. The free services on most sites in the long run aren't free because you're exchanging your email or other info when you log on to enter contests or get newsletters. The colorful graphics and easy to read messages contain a hidden agenda and are like lures in many cases that children get caught up in because they are not able to discern without some education and practice what is relevant and worthy.
The bottom line is "know how to manipulate the web or be manipulated!"
http://web.rbe.sk.ca/learningplus/informationliteracy/mapping.html