Wikipedia Vs. Textbooks Argument

In my elementary and middle school years of schooling I was raised with the old school version of teaching. We used books with a piece of paper and a pencil. Over time technology has progressed and has become very useful when learning. Wikipedia is a more beneficial and informative way for students to learn in schools. Three of the many reasons Wikipedia is a better source for students to learn from are because Wikipedia offers more information, teachers have the opportunity to relate subjects to their students' lives, and Wikipedia is a very reliable source.
In an article titled, "A Textbook Example of What's Wrong with Education," it is written, "most of these books fall far short of their important role in the educational scheme of things." A book source just seems to touch the surface of an event while Wikipedia sources go in depth. On Wikipedia there are hyperlinks that the reader can click on if they want to learn more about a topic or if there is something that they don't know about while in the book the reader doesn't have as many options.

There are so many different styles that teachers could use without using a textbook. According to an article titled, "No Books, No Problem: Teaching Without a Text," a teacher discusses his approach to teaching without a textbook. He writes, "Without a textbook, I can create curriculum that engages students by relating science to their everyday lives. Lessons become clearer when I link the topic to an issue that affects them personally." I think that this is a great way to teach. The students will remember the topic because the teacher connected it to something that they have went through or understand in life. 

Another reason why teachers should use Wikipedia to teach instead of using a textbook is because Wikipedia is very reliable. Noam Cohen includes in his article titled, "Wikipedia Emerges as Trusted Internet Source for Ebola Information," why Wikipedia is a reliable source. He informs his readers, "Only registered Wikipedia editors with at least some experience are permitted to edit the page." He also writes, "much of Wikipedia is not edited by just “anyone.”"

In conclusion, Wikipedia is a better resource for teachers to use. There are so many additional resources for viewers to use when reading an article on Wikipedia. The opportunities are endless for teachers and students when using Wikipedia to learn about topics.

I really like this picture because it symbolizes that you can incorporate learning by using the internet. 

The information I used was found from these three sources:

A Textbook Example of What's wrong with Education
No Books, No Problem: Teaching Without a Text
Wikipedia Emerges as Trusted Internet Source for Ebola Information
Online Education Virtues

Wikipedia vs. Textbooks

What is Wikipedia? -Wikipedia Common Craft
Three important ideas/things from the video today are that 10s of thousands of people contribute to Wikipedia, Wiki is a kind of website that allows volunteers to make changes to pages, and Wikipedia is one of the top 5 sites on the web, but the most important thing I learned today is that every change is reviewed and must abide by two rules: verifiability and a neutral point of view.

Analyzing a Wikipedia Article 
I reviewed two articles with the same topic that are written in very different ways. The Wounded Knee Massacre as a Wikipedia entry and the Wounded Knee Massacre in a U.S. History Textbook.
Some of the differences between the book and the website version are that Wikipedia has way more information on the topic. On Wikipedia there are hyperlinks that the reader can click on if they want to learn more about the topic or if there is something that they don't know about while in the book the reader doesn't have as many options. They are also different in the way that they present the information. The book source just seems to touch the surface of the historical event while the Wikipedia source goes in depth. It is hard for me to provide how they are similar because they both seem so different! One of the similarities that I noticed is that they both provide pictures and the obvious one is that they are both discussing the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Overall the Wikipedia resource on the Wounded Knee Massacre seems to have more potential for meaningful learning. It gives a ton of beneficial information and resources for more information if needed. I think that it is the more beneficial resource for learning about this historical event. 

Is the information reliable?
I think that the information is very reliable. There are so many people that contribute to each article that help construct the final product. People all over the word contribute to make Wikipedia articles. Many articles are examined and from those articles few are chosen to construct the article presented on Wikipedia.

Someone wanted to add to the information given in the Wounded Knee Massacre on Wikipedia, but the information that they proposed contradicted other information that was already in the article. They looked at the source that the new information came from, but could not come to a decision on which information was most reliable. They then decided to take both pieces of information out of the article and asked for help and thoughts on the matter. You can read more about this by following this article.

When I looked over three of the many people that have the opportunity to edit articles I notice that they all have different qualifications. They all provided different types of information about themselves. One of them only stated his/her past professions. This makes it difficult for me to tell if I can trust them or not. One of the two that wrote a lot seemed to be more educated than the other, but this is very hard to tell from just what they chose to write about themselves.

I looked over some of the users on Wikipedias conversations with others. This information shows that the users are in touch with others and this helps make sure that all of the information is presented in the best way and is also valid. Some of the information posted is questioning some of the articles validity. I now feel that the information on Wikipedia is more reliable because users keep in touch and are always trying to make the site better for the viewers. Also all of the information has to have a source that backs it up and it can be questioned or even deleted.

Neutrality on Wikipedia 
One of the examples that I found in the article on Wikipedia on the Wounded Knee Massacre that shows that they try to maintain neutrality is...
"Specific details of what triggered the massacre are debated. According to some accounts, Yellow Bird began to perform the "Ghost Dance""..."According to commanding Gen. Nelson A. Miles, a "scuffle occurred between one warrior who had [a] rifle in his hand and two soldiers. The rifle was discharged and a battle occurred, not only the warriors but the sick Chief Spotted Elk, and a large number of women and children who tried to escape by running and scattering over the prairie were hunted down and killed.""


Wikipedia In the News!
If I were to write an argument paper with the claim that Wikipedia is a reliable source of information three pieces of evidence found from this article that I could use to prove this point would be...

• "Only registered Wikipedia editors with at least some experience are permitted to edit the page."
• "much of Wikipedia is not edited by just “anyone.”"
• "“A key group of us keep an eye on articles that have become more popular to make sure that Wikipedia’s most-read content is of a reasonably high standard”"

Argumentative Essay

Rough Draft

The computer is such a great asset to today’s world. I am a college student and I cannot imagine my life without a computer at my fingertips. The computer helps students learn topics in a different way. I think that the computer allows students to do many things that teachers used to just be able to tell their students. Computers are a great resource for all students for many reasons. Three of these reasons are because there are so many great resources, the internet provides great ways to interact with others, and typing is a great way to write a paper.

Whenever my teacher assigns for me to write a paper or research a topic I am always thankful for my computer. I enjoy being able to read different articles and see which one I think are the best easily. Using the internet is easier and more beneficial than going to the library because of that precious thing that no one can seem to get enough of, time. There are not enough hours in the day to stop and take off to the library to try to find what is needed. There are books everywhere and who knows if you will even leave with what you came looking for. A great alternative is to go to the computer and look up the topic on the internet. This helps students develop the ability to discern which resource is most useful and then provides them to opportunity to learn all there is to know about the topic. There are also many resources and games on the computer that help students improve in all kinds of subjects.

Another great thing about the internet is all of the different ways that anyone can use to keep in touch with their family and friends. There is Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or anyone could start a blog on Blogger. These websites are very useful for people who no longer live at home or for the person whose best friend just moved across the world. These social media websites are there to help make your life better, but they never would have been thought of if it wasn’t for the computer. Students can use Blogger to increase their ability to write and then share their writing with others and receive feedback. This is a great idea for all teachers in order to allow their students to express themselves and use their imagination.

The third reason that I believe the computer is a great asset to today is because of all of the documents that can be typed. I have written a ton of papers growing up and many times my teacher would tell me to type the paper. One day a kid in my class asked why she required that the paper be typed. She responded and said that whenever the paper is typed it appears more professional and she went on to talk about the benefits of spell check. We are able to catch our spelling errors with this great resource. I then remembered my cousin telling me that she had to write a paper in order to apply for a scholarship. In many cases it is better if the paper is typed. Many businesses use the computer as well to type papers. As students use this technology growing up they will be prepared to complete whatever the job they have wants them to accomplish.

In conclusion, computers are very beneficial to students everyday life by providing great resources, providing a way for people to stay connected, and giving us a professional way to write our papers. Computers are very beneficial in the development of student’s knowledge. They have the opportunity to put what has been taught into action.  I do not know where this world would be today without computers. I am so thankful that we have computers to help us in our everyday life.

Final Draft: Computers in the Classroom

The computer is changing the way students learn in today’s world. I am a college student and I cannot imagine my life without having a computer at my fingertips. The computer is creating many differences in people’s lives. Three of the differences that I will focus on are that the computer allows students to access a vast amount of information, computers provide them with a beneficial way to interact, and computers allow them to present what they have learned in more multimodal and interactive ways.

The first reason I believe computers are a beneficial asset to the classroom is because they allow students to access a vast amount of information; students do not only rely on the teacher as a primary source of information. According to Maya Simon, Mike Graziano, and Amanda Lenhart, “94% of youth ages 12-17 who have Internet access say they use the Internet for school research and 78% say they believe the Internet helps them with schoolwork” (1). Using the Internet helps students develop the ability to discern which resource is most useful and then provides them resources about their topic. When one of my teachers assigns a paper or a research project I am always thankful for my computer. I enjoy being able to read different articles and easily decide which one I believe is the most reliable easily. Using the Internet is easier and more valuable than going to the library because it saves time. Teachers have the opportunity to incorporate homework assignments for their students involving research on the computer. There are also many resources and games on the computer that teachers can use to help students improve in all kinds of subjects. For example, when I was in middle school one of my teachers showed me a game that I could play to teach me how to type.

Another aspect of the computer being involved in learning is that computers give students a way to interact. There are many resources that students can use that will help further their knowledge and connection to others. One of these resources is called Blogger. Blogger is a website that allows users to write about any topic. Students can use Blogger to increase their ability to write, share their writing with others, and receive feedback. Some teachers may argue that social networking sites should not be included in schools, but I believe that Blogger is a great asset for students in the classroom. Allowing students to have a blog opens the door for imagination and creativity.

The third benefit is that the computer allows students to present what they have learned in more multimodal and interactive ways. There are many different ways to present work by using a computer. I have constructed power points, written papers, and compared two categories by making an excel document. Even though typewriters existed before computers I believe that the computer has made the typing process more efficient. Whenever my teacher would assign a paper she would tell the class to make sure it was typed. Even though typewriters existed before computers I believe that the computer has made the typing process easier. One day a student in my class asked the teacher why it was required that the paper be typed. The teacher responded by saying that when the paper is typed it appears more professional and she went on to talk about the benefits of Spell Check. We are all made aware of our errors through Spell Check. I then remembered my cousin telling me that she had to write a paper in order to apply for a scholarship. In many cases it is better if the paper is typed. Many businesses use the computer as well to type papers and keep documentation. As students use technology, they will become better prepared for their job requirements.

In conclusion, computers are very beneficial to students’ everyday life by allowing them to access a vast amount of information, providing them with a beneficial way to interact, and allowing them to present what they have learned in more multimodal and interactive ways. I believe computers are very beneficial in the development of students’ knowledge. I am so thankful that we have computers to help us in our everyday life and further our knowledge so students never have to stop learning.

Works Cited

Simon, Maya, Mike Graziano, and Amanda Lenhart. "The Internet and Education." Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. N.p., 31 Aug. 2001. Web. 09 Mar. 2015. <http://www.pewinternet.org/2001/09/01/the-internet-and-education/>.

"One Account. All of Google." Blogger. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2015. <https://www.blogger.com/>.

I really like this picture! I think that technology should be included in education, but I also like the idea of using just a piece of paper and a pencil.

Learning Styles Don't Exist

Video Notes:

The way that you think about information matters.
If you wanted your friend to help with a house plan:

• Visual learner see plans
• kinsthetic might build a model
• auditory may talk to the builder

The auditory learner learns the voice
Everyone needs to see a visual presentation not just visual learners.
The way that it is applied in the classroom is wrong.
90% believe it.
Teachers don't need to adjust their teaching to individual learning styles.

Multiple Intelligence Notes:

People have very different types of minds. When people realize that they pick favorites on what they like to teach.
Everything can be taught in more than one way.
Teach too many subjects
Once students leave school everything is forgotten
Most important thing about assessment is knowing what it is that you're supposed to do.
Highlight for kids what are the performances and exhibitions that they are going to be responsible for.
School should let kids be able to self assess themselves and not let it be done to them.
1. We need to have good examples
2. Teacher need to believe in this and be able to do it
3. We need to have assessment schemes that show that this is working.
4. Commitment that says this is the type of education that we want to have.
Meaningful information is what you remember.

I took a Multiple Intelligence Survey and found out that I am 4.71 musically. This was no shock to me because I love music! I added the music notes in three of the corners of my picture to symbolize this. The survey says that I am 3.71 in self which explains that I have a knowledge of who I am and I prefer to think things over and reflect on information. I gave my Picasso head features that look like myself in order to symbolize this. I have brown hair and brown eyes. I have 3.29 in logic/math. I enjoy understanding ideas and how things work. I also think that it is very beneficial to me in many situations to learn visually and this is why I made my eyes big and my ears and mouth small.

I do not think that people should labeled with a type of learning style. Suppose when you were in preschool your teacher assumed that you were an auditory learner. Then your teacher described to you how a circle looks. Would you then  be able to draw it? Most likely no. In some cases it is easier to learn materials visually. However, I think that the different types of learning styles are useful for teachers. I think it helps teachers think of different ways to teach information to their students. I do think that some people learn better in some situations, but I do not think that they should have a label as a certain type of learner.

I think that technology would greatly help students improve in all of the different learning styles. To learn visually developing a lesson that involved the camera or a paint app where students could draw would be helpful. For listening teachers could develop a lesson that involved a recording or a music clip would be fun and beneficial. Then to keep the students involved in some lessons the teacher could allow the students to make a video.

Our Brains on Video Games

Video games play a big role in kids lives. 90% of kids play video games. I used to think that video games had a huge negative impact on kids. I thought that parents should give their children limited time to play each day and treat video games as a side activity. However, after watching the two Ted videos on the impact of video games on kids and reading an article about video games in the classroom I have changed my mind. I believe that video games are benefiting kids by making them smarter and healthier.

If video games are played in reasonable doses a lot of learning takes place. When kids interact and play games they begin to develop skills that are hard to teach in a classroom. Games teach kids different types of attention skills and give them the oppurtunity to focus in a different kind of way. Video games also teach kids how to multitask which is very beneficial in real world situations.

Video games keep kids healthy because they are exercising their brains. Many people believe that too much screen time can make your eye sight worse. However, this idea has been proven false. Studies have shown that kids that play video games eye sight increases. Kids who play video games more than five or more hours per week can read fine print, distinguish gray scale,  and their ability to see objects in a cluster increases as well.

I believe that video games would be a great asset to learning in the classroom. Having video games in the classroom would help keep students attention and it would make learning fun!

I really like this picture because it represents that kids are becoming smarter by playing video games.

I received information from Are Video Games Making Your Kids Smarter?, Your Brain on Video Games, and Learning by Playing: Video Games in the Classroom. Also check out this Argument Chart on Violence and Video Games.