I really appreciated Jon's latest blog because while it is important to criticize technology so we can better understand and use it-its always nice to remember how it can be such a powerful tool.
The key is how to get our students to navigate the internet effectively. I'm sure you've all done lesson plans on checking the validity of websites. I once saw a candidate for Maine teacher of the year give a lesson plan on exactly this using this website (and it has become my favorite to use!):
http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
This website on the "tree octopus" looks 100% legitimate. It has links, its scientific name, a "FAQs" page...and of course, it is all a huge hoax and a great tool to show kids how using multiple resources is so important. (Wikipedia even has a page about it! Try googling it.)
Great idea - I think I'll try this with my freshman soon!
ReplyDeleteOne of my team members and I were all set to use this site with our 7th graders only to find out someone beat us to the punch. It really is incredible how legitimate this site looks.
ReplyDeleteThis will be great to use when I get into the "meat" of my nonfiction unit! Thanks
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