Practice Activities Mod 1

Well unfortunately I have been procrastinating and that has been put to a stop. I have been spending more time on the Internet, mostly looking for jobs and posting resumes, where I have stumbled upon more and more blogs. I have checked a few of them out and a question comes to mind what is the difference between an article and a blog? Both are a recipe of viewpoints, opinions, facts, research, and ideas. Both are published. Both can be responded to by its readers.

Is a blog just a electronic article? I don't know.

Well on with the assignment.

Lesson title: What's your favorite animal and Why?

Type of Web 2.0 Tool: blog

SOL and Secondary Objectives related to the Lesson: Students will utilize their evaluation skills while researching about their favorite animal online. Students will use reasoning, critical and logical thinking to organize the information found into a different order. Students will also edit the information they gather to produce a simple straightforward blog entry. Students will also use previously learned computer skills to navigate the Internet, upload photos and cite online information.

Brief Description of Overall Lesson: Students will conduct research online to find out facts and natural history about their favorite animal. Students will organize their research into a logical format based on who, what, where, when, why and how. Students will upload an image of their favorite animal into their blog entry. All information gathered online will be cited from each resources used. Blog entries will be restricted to 300 words. Each student blog entry will be be reviewed by the instructor for any grammatical or factual errors and that each student adhered to the guidelines. All approved student blog entries will be posted online to a common classroom blog webpage.

Lesson Title: So Who Knows Their Animal's?

Type of Web 2.0 Tool: blog

SOL and Secondary Objectives Related to Lesson: Students will use critical thinking and research skills to evaluate other student's blog entries. Students will gain hands on experience on how to evaluate information gathered online and determine its validity and accuracy. Students will also learn how to employ constructive criticism. Students will be limited to 100 words for each critique.

Brief Description of Overall Lesson: Students will select two other student blog entries and evaluate their content. Students will check their online sources cited for accuracy and critique overall content and wording of two student blog entries. Student critique of other student's entries will be evaluated by the teacher for accuracy, thought, constructive input and originality.