6816 Week 2 Wikipedia Activity

Step Three: What stance on Global Warming does the article appear to take (ie. caused by humans, or a naturally occurring event; will have catastrophic implications)?

The article blames humans as the cause of global warming.  “Scientists are more than 90% certain that most of it is caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.”

Step Four: Continue reading the Wikipedia article and chose a claim to verify (i.e since 1979, land temperatures have increased about twice as fast as ocean temperatures). 

Temperatures in the lower troposphere have increased between 0.13 and 0.22 °C (0.22 and 0.4 °F) per decade since 1979, according to satellite temperature measurements.

Step Five: Using Google find two websites. One that supports the claim and one that disputes it. Use this Website Evaluation checklist to validate the sources. Post the information from the check list in a blog posting along with links to the sites.

http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp?gclid=CPXW54zNrrACFWQDQAodwyxKUA

This website believes the increased air pollution from humans in the cause for global warming.  This website also states that the average global temperature has been increasing at a rapid rate since 1950. 

http://www.lunarplanner.com/SolarCycles-climate.html

This website states that humans are not the only cause for global warming.  Other planets in our solar system have experienced global warming and there are no humans there?  This site states that the sun may play a factor in global warming. 

Step Six: Click on the "Talk link" at the top of the Wikipedia Page. What does it mean that this article and its editors are subject to General Sanctions? 

The general public can add information that they think will improve the article.  People should use caution analyzing the information.  

Step Seven: Scroll down to the frequently asked questions section. Chose one of the questions and read the answer. Verify the answer using another online source. Link me to the source. Is the information presented in the answer to the question reasonably accurate? 

Question:  Is the sea level rising because of global warming?

Answer:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090315155112.htm

This was the second source listed under Wikipedia when I Google searched the question.  This news website said that Global warming is expected to cause the sea level along the northeastern U.S. coast to rise almost twice as fast as global sea levels during this century.  I would deem this website as a good source.  The information came from Florida State University and there is contact information for the editor who put this story together. 

Step Eight: Below the FAQ section read the section titled "Back to old lede". This is where Wikipedia editors explain their edits to the page and justify their decisions. Does reading this section increase your understanding of Wikipedia as a reliable source of information? Why? or Why not?

This section allows readers to see the work and justification of others.  I believe this section is essential in determining whether or not a particular article is credible. 

Step Nine: Kim D. Petersen (talk) is one of the editors for the Wikipedia article on Global Warming. Click on her name to see her profile. Then read her "talk" page. Again how does this information make you feel about the credibility and validity of information on Wikipedia?

In some cases, knowing more about the author and their history can help someone decide if Wikipedia is a credible source.  I would have liked more information about Kim Petersen.  At this point, I am on the fence about whether or not Wikipedia is a good source.  Maybe the author is exaggerating or lying about their past?

Step Ten: How do think Wikipedia could be integrated into classroom activities. What do you think about using Wikipedia as a source of information instead of textbooks? Post an image that represents your views on Global Warming.

I think Wikipedia should be used in the classrooms, but not as a primary source that is used often.  Wikipedia articles could be compared to scholarly articles to examine the differences and if bias exists.  Teachers could give students the same activity you gave us, to better help them analyze texts. 

6809 Week 2 Reading

http://www.edutopia.org/multimodal-learning-teaching-methods-media

This website provides examples of strategies to help students learn new literacies in multiple ways. 

1. How has the nature of literacy changed as a result of digital technologies?

Literacy is not just the ability to read and write anymore.  To be literate in the 21^st century, one must be traditionally literate and build on that framework to be able to understand and analyze new forms of texts that are created from digital technologies.  We are surrounded by technology everyday; thus, we need to build and expand what it means to be literate. 

2. What are the benefits of multimodal reading and writing for students?

By providing students with a variety of activities and assignments, educators can grab the attention of all types of learners in the classroom and keep them engaged.  These activities should not be considered a reward, but integrated into the curriculum everyday.  This strategy would have a great affect on students, but would have a greater impact on students from low SES homes and students with other issues.  Or at least this would be a great study to conduct. 

3. What project described intrigued you the most?

Chapter 2—Say yes to Music.  I believe that music plays an important role in our lives and helps us remember moments we don’t want to forget.  With this said, why not incorporate music into other subjects.  This would make an interesting study.  I am very musical myself, and would love to find a way to incorporate more music into science. 

4. What challenge to integrating mulitmodal reading and writing into schools do you most identify with?

I am in the understanding that some teachers develop a curriculum and lesson plans that they use each year.  They believe that this makes teaching easier.  This is a challenge that many teachers face—they don’t want to get stuck in a rut.  There is more than one way to teach something.   Teachers need to be open to change if in the long run has lasting affects on their students. 

6816 Week 2 Reading

What is Henry Jenkins main arguments about Wikipedia?

Jenkins refers to comments made by others that Wikipedia isn’t a credible source and cannot be listed as a source.  Jenkins argues that Wikipedia can be used as a source to lead to other sources.  He also believes that people should know both the positive and negative attributes of using Wikipedia to get information.  People should be taught how to critically analyze all forms of text and media, and Wikipedia should be apart of this. 

What is "participatory culture"?

Participatory culture refers to the collaboration of users in the online world. Members feel free to express themselves, they mentor and connect to each other, and feel that what they say matters. 

What is the relationship between "old literacies" and "new media literacies?"

The primary difference between old literacies and new media literacies is that new media literacies are based around group skills, not individual skills.  New media literacies are based around social skills and cultural competencies.  These new skills build on the existing framework of literacy and are essential in the 21^st century.  These new skills should be embedded into all areas of curriculum in and out of school. 

What are the reading and writing behaviors associated with "new media literacies".

A person must be literate in reading and writing before they can learn the skills necessary to become literate with new media literacies.  New media literacy involves critically thinking and analyzing all forms of media a text, which would deem reading and writing necessary to gain these new skills.

According to Henry Jenkins why is it important to teach "new media literacies" in school?

Today’s society is surrounded by media and technology everyday.  Some people are just transparent to this fact and are not fully aware of the effects and affects.  Jenkins believes that new media literacy should be embedded in all areas of the curriculum to better reach the needs and interests of today’s society. 

What can Wikipedia teach us about "new media literacies"?

Wikipedia and new media literacies both operate on 4 common principles:  collective intelligence, judgment, networking, and negotiation. Both Wikipedia and new media literacies are ever-changing and require collaboration to stay current. 

6809 Reading 1

Print culture is all forms of printed texts that come in a variety of forms.  Print culture has several effects on human societies and knowledge.   The benefit of using print communication as compared to oral communication is that printed texts can be mass produced (from the creation of the printing press) and the meaning of the information can be preserved for generations to come. 

Printed texts have made profound impacts on society.  Before, during and after the American Revolution, texts such as The Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence have shaped and guided our society.  Even newspapers had a major effect on the society—they contained propaganda and battle reports. 

The modern society views printed texts to be accurate and that every copy of a printed text is identical.  But the dependence of printed text is becoming a thing of the past because of the heavy reliance our society has on the use of the internet.  Printed texts via the internet are more accessible and convenient and lead to other forms of visual communication and interpretation.    

Although viewing printed texts on the internet is more convenient, it poses a problem to learning solely by using the internet.  Some students from low SES areas do not have internet access at home, which can hinder certain lesson plans.  Other students may have vision problems are not able to read on computer screens for an extended period of time.  But on the other hand, using to internet to view printed texts has some benefits in the classroom—students may be more engaged and have more resources readily available.