Blog: How can you reduce plagarism in the classroom?
As a technology teacher, plagiarism in the classroom is a reoccurring problem. Not only do I deal with plagiarism problems within my own classroom, but teachers throughout my school are constantly dealing with plagiarism issues and seeking alternative ways to prevent this issue. Many teachers find they cannot stop students, or students are not informed enough about what is or is not plagiarism and how they can avoid it.
One of the ways that I prevent plagiarism is by letting students know that I know what wikipedia is, and I know what it can or cannot be useful for. I often have a discussion about times that it would or would not be appropriate to use wikipedia. This helps the students discuss times that it may or may not be appropriate to use wikipedia, and explain their reasoning.
I also show the students how easy it is to alter wikipedia, and thus the information that they find on the website might not be valuable. I explain that if I question any of the information in their projects, I am not afraid to further look into the information they are telling me. I than show them how I can type a sentence into google, and they copied the same sentence I'll be given an exact replica of the information on their project. Many times students do not realize that you can google whole sentences and see where the sentence is on the web.
When going over plagiarism with students, I often find that students don't realize how easy it is to alter information on the internet, and how easy it is to find information if they do not use their own words.
I also have a conversation, or play a game with my students about "age appropriate words". I'll than talk to them about words they often use when writing, and words they do not use but see on a website or article and copy. I will than put a few sentences together with large, out of place words, and show the students how easy it is to "identify" the word that doesn't fit.
Aside from letting the students know that I know how to check their sources, I also show they where to look for good sources and traits of a good website. By providing students with the knowledge on how to find quality information, I hope this does not make my students feel they would need to plagiarize.
Overall, I try to let the students know that I can find their information on the internet, and let them know I will check the quality of their work. Most of my students know that I will question their information, and look into facts and figures or sentences that don't look age appropriate, therefore, many students do not want to take the risk of plagiarism because they may know someone who was caught or know I have checked student work in the past.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Lit Review #2
Article
Is Technology in the Classroom a Waste of Time?
Thomas, Paul; Sheninger, Eric
Junior Scholastic; April 2, 2012; 114, 3; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 9
This article discusses the debate between whether technology in the classroom is a beneficial or harmful tool. Many teachers find that learning how to incorporate technology is too time consuming, therefore, school districts spend too much money on technology that is never used or implemented. There has also been evidence to support that no more learning is happening in classrooms due to technology. Some argue that although students need to be proficient in technology, they need to have something worth communicating or something worth demonstrating their need for the technology.
Although it is understandable that school districts should not spend needed funds on technology that will not be beneficial or enhance learning, technology has increased student interest. Today students are learning in a digital age, where learning is not only happening but is also fun and creative. Online tools allow teachers to create learning to real life examples that students can relate to and understand. Virtual tools also allow teachers to give students opportunity to be creative in new and innovative ways, allow students to search for deeper learning and comprehension.
I found this article to be interesting for numerous reasons. For one, as a Technology Teacher, I am often faced with the question of why technology is beneficial or what it is going to do for our students. Aside from preparing our students for the virtual world they will live and work in, technology when used properly, can increase student learning. Students are often seeking technology based learning due to the hands on, interactive and creative possibilities that await. When teaching, I often notice that today's students are not afraid to explore and make mistakes on their own. Many students would prefer to explore individually instead of being instructed on how to specifically do something.
The dilemma with using technology in the classroom is that many teachers resist technology for a diverse range of reasons. Some teachers fear technology because it is the unknown or the confusing. Other teachers do not feel the need or see the benefit of implementing technology in their classroom. This creates situations where students cannot utilize technology opportunities due to the restraining teachers.
I also found this article beneficial because it could be read by students as an introduction to a pro/con project about technology in the classroom. Because this article was written by Junior Scholastic, it is written for students. This means the article will be written using terminology and language that students understand and can relate to. As a resource, I think this would be a great starting point for students to create a pro/con project... using technology.
Is Technology in the Classroom a Waste of Time?
Thomas, Paul; Sheninger, Eric
Junior Scholastic; April 2, 2012; 114, 3; ProQuest Education Journals
pg. 9
This article discusses the debate between whether technology in the classroom is a beneficial or harmful tool. Many teachers find that learning how to incorporate technology is too time consuming, therefore, school districts spend too much money on technology that is never used or implemented. There has also been evidence to support that no more learning is happening in classrooms due to technology. Some argue that although students need to be proficient in technology, they need to have something worth communicating or something worth demonstrating their need for the technology.
Although it is understandable that school districts should not spend needed funds on technology that will not be beneficial or enhance learning, technology has increased student interest. Today students are learning in a digital age, where learning is not only happening but is also fun and creative. Online tools allow teachers to create learning to real life examples that students can relate to and understand. Virtual tools also allow teachers to give students opportunity to be creative in new and innovative ways, allow students to search for deeper learning and comprehension.
I found this article to be interesting for numerous reasons. For one, as a Technology Teacher, I am often faced with the question of why technology is beneficial or what it is going to do for our students. Aside from preparing our students for the virtual world they will live and work in, technology when used properly, can increase student learning. Students are often seeking technology based learning due to the hands on, interactive and creative possibilities that await. When teaching, I often notice that today's students are not afraid to explore and make mistakes on their own. Many students would prefer to explore individually instead of being instructed on how to specifically do something.
The dilemma with using technology in the classroom is that many teachers resist technology for a diverse range of reasons. Some teachers fear technology because it is the unknown or the confusing. Other teachers do not feel the need or see the benefit of implementing technology in their classroom. This creates situations where students cannot utilize technology opportunities due to the restraining teachers.
I also found this article beneficial because it could be read by students as an introduction to a pro/con project about technology in the classroom. Because this article was written by Junior Scholastic, it is written for students. This means the article will be written using terminology and language that students understand and can relate to. As a resource, I think this would be a great starting point for students to create a pro/con project... using technology.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Lit Review #1
Article: Resources: Integrate technology and physical education through blogs and Web 2.0
Journal: Children's Technology and Engineering, March 2012 - Pages 8 - 9
Arthur: Kevin J. Kaluf
Resources integrate technology and physical education through blogs and Web 2.0 was written by an Australian PE teacher named, Jerrod Robinson. The author starts off by explaining what a blog is, which is a type of website that can easily be updated by anyone. A blog is often used by a student, teacher, athlete or anyone looking to share their thoughts and opinion about a particular topic or topics. Web 2.0 s also clarified, explaining this is a set of internet tools and an ongoing philosophy on how to accurately use these tools. By incorporating Web 2.0 into blogs, many people are able to comment and interact on blogs, helping create a more interactive and global community on the internet.
The article focuses on how PE and technology can be used within the classroom. An Australian PE Teacher is highlighted, due to his blog "The PE Geek". On his blog, he highlights valuable resources for teachers who are looking to integrate technology and physical education. On his blog he showcases apps, programs and resource books that can be useful for different types of integration. This teacher focuses heavily on the use of applications in his classroom. Often showing applications such as a heart rate app to help further link classroom lessons to real life activities and uses.
This teacher also uses a technology posting tool to create a SMS mailing list with students. This type of blog allows students to comment up to 160 characters, and can create a discussion about a classroom topic. This type of discussion helps students create rapid responses and instant interaction.
Overall, this article was useful because it allowed be to see how other Unified Arts teachers, especially Physical Education, could use technology. I find this article very interesting because my Unified Arts team is currently trying to create digital portfolio requirements for each Unified Arts areas. The digital portfolio is a computer based portfolio, therefore, finding ways to integrate Physical Education into the technology classroom would be beneficial for my students portfolios. This also created great opportunities for co-learning opportunities between the Physical Education and Technology classrooms at my school.
Journal: Children's Technology and Engineering, March 2012 - Pages 8 - 9
Arthur: Kevin J. Kaluf
Resources integrate technology and physical education through blogs and Web 2.0 was written by an Australian PE teacher named, Jerrod Robinson. The author starts off by explaining what a blog is, which is a type of website that can easily be updated by anyone. A blog is often used by a student, teacher, athlete or anyone looking to share their thoughts and opinion about a particular topic or topics. Web 2.0 s also clarified, explaining this is a set of internet tools and an ongoing philosophy on how to accurately use these tools. By incorporating Web 2.0 into blogs, many people are able to comment and interact on blogs, helping create a more interactive and global community on the internet.
The article focuses on how PE and technology can be used within the classroom. An Australian PE Teacher is highlighted, due to his blog "The PE Geek". On his blog, he highlights valuable resources for teachers who are looking to integrate technology and physical education. On his blog he showcases apps, programs and resource books that can be useful for different types of integration. This teacher focuses heavily on the use of applications in his classroom. Often showing applications such as a heart rate app to help further link classroom lessons to real life activities and uses.
This teacher also uses a technology posting tool to create a SMS mailing list with students. This type of blog allows students to comment up to 160 characters, and can create a discussion about a classroom topic. This type of discussion helps students create rapid responses and instant interaction.
Overall, this article was useful because it allowed be to see how other Unified Arts teachers, especially Physical Education, could use technology. I find this article very interesting because my Unified Arts team is currently trying to create digital portfolio requirements for each Unified Arts areas. The digital portfolio is a computer based portfolio, therefore, finding ways to integrate Physical Education into the technology classroom would be beneficial for my students portfolios. This also created great opportunities for co-learning opportunities between the Physical Education and Technology classrooms at my school.
Ed Tech Talk
Blog: Reflect on your K12OC or Ed Tech Talk experience.
The EdTechTalk that I listened to was It's Elementary #43: Interactive White Boards. This was recorded by mariaknee on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 3:57pm.
I was initially drawn to this video because I have heard that interactive white boards can be a very enhancing experience in the elementary classroom. Although I have heard great things about these classrooms from textbooks and seen many teachers at the secondary education and higher education level using these technologies; in the elementary school these boards are often ignored and avoided. When I was initially hired at my own school, there was an interactive white board that was being used to hold posters and other learning aids! What a waste!
After talking to a few teachers, I realized that many teachers just did not know what to do with the technology. This has caused me to have an interested in the learning possibilities available with White Boards; however, I have to find out more about them before I can approach my school district to purchase one for my use.
This edtechtalk strongly recommended teacher training in the use of interactive white boards. Another teacher added that teachers in their school district who were very weary of using white boards, were easily pros after they had no choice but to learn how to use the boards (older white boards were removed from the classrooms). I do agree that people are more likely to learn to use technology when they have no other choice. If teachers are given no option but to use the white boards - or not be able to project their lessons, notes, ect. - they are much more likely to figure it out!
Overall, I thought the session was really different. It was weird to have so many people talking and putting in their input. It made the season flow like a conversation, but yet they mostly kept on topic keeping it very informative. I really liked this session, however, I wish it had provided more input on what teachers can do with interactive white boards and the best uses for students.
http://edtechtalk.com/node/4685
The EdTechTalk that I listened to was It's Elementary #43: Interactive White Boards. This was recorded by mariaknee on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 3:57pm.
I was initially drawn to this video because I have heard that interactive white boards can be a very enhancing experience in the elementary classroom. Although I have heard great things about these classrooms from textbooks and seen many teachers at the secondary education and higher education level using these technologies; in the elementary school these boards are often ignored and avoided. When I was initially hired at my own school, there was an interactive white board that was being used to hold posters and other learning aids! What a waste!
After talking to a few teachers, I realized that many teachers just did not know what to do with the technology. This has caused me to have an interested in the learning possibilities available with White Boards; however, I have to find out more about them before I can approach my school district to purchase one for my use.
This edtechtalk strongly recommended teacher training in the use of interactive white boards. Another teacher added that teachers in their school district who were very weary of using white boards, were easily pros after they had no choice but to learn how to use the boards (older white boards were removed from the classrooms). I do agree that people are more likely to learn to use technology when they have no other choice. If teachers are given no option but to use the white boards - or not be able to project their lessons, notes, ect. - they are much more likely to figure it out!
Overall, I thought the session was really different. It was weird to have so many people talking and putting in their input. It made the season flow like a conversation, but yet they mostly kept on topic keeping it very informative. I really liked this session, however, I wish it had provided more input on what teachers can do with interactive white boards and the best uses for students.
http://edtechtalk.com/node/4685
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)