session+2


 * "2.3 Website analysis"**


 * What characteristics make these websites so convincing?
 * Both websites look legitimate at first glance. I especially enjoyed learning all about the tree octopus. I loved the pictures and video and my visit to the gift shop. The links that I tried all went to sites that supported the idea of the tree octopus. The male pregnancy article also appeared to be legitimate at first glance, throwing out a lot of medical jargon, pictures and links to well known magazines and newspapers


 * What evidence is available to prove that these websites are hoax sites?
 * The first clue that students should have is use of common sense. If they read the entire tree octopus article there are many things said that would be impossible such as liking to decorate themselves for the holidays, the reference to sasquatch, and its love of money for nesting. the article about the male pregnancy might be a little more convincing to students given the story of the man with the female body parts who gave birth a couple of years ago. But if they took the time to click on some of the links they would see that they have nothing to do with male pregnancy. In both articles, if they did a further search, they would not be able to find any other sources that talk about tree octopi or male pregnancy.


 * What guidance can we give our students to help them avoid websites that contain inaccurate information?
 * The first thing I would tell students is to use common sense.
 * I would also tell them to find at least two other sources that reinforce what they have found.
 * I would also have them look at the source of the site? how often is it updated? Do the links work?
 * I would also recommend that they use sites other than .com.

[|Evaluating web pages]

** "2.3 Inquiry Based Learning Websites" **
[|on line resources] This website provides many on line resources for students and teachers. It explains the concept of inquiry-based learning and offer arguments for why this type of learning is helpful to students.

[|inquiry based learning sites and curriculum] This website provides teachers with web sites, curriculum, and worksheets that help use inquiry based learning in the classroom.

Inquiry based learning This is a wikispace that provides everything you would like to know about inquiry based learning. It focuses on the following areas: curriculum, emerging trends, learning spaces, sustaining the vision, and materials to use. It includes a list of web sites that are useful in the application strategies.

"2.4: 3 Minute Pause."
I think that for the special needs students, especially the students with attentional difficulties, this type of learning will be valuable. These students are able to attend to tasks that are interesting to them much better than those they are not. Will teachers be given the opportunity to try these strategies without fear of the evaluation process. Integrating technology and new techniques will take time and practice!
 * Summary**: In researching Inquiry based learning, I have a better understanding of what it is all about. My idea of this type of learning is that it is centered around student investigations of given topics. Teachers are seen more as facilitators of learning and assessment is based more on the learning process than the content.
 * Thoughts**: I see this strategy working better with some subject areas than others. As a math teacher, I think it would be more difficult to come up with lessons.
 * Questions**: Are the administration going to allow the assessment of students to be more process based? What about MCAS? SAT's?

"2.5 Essential Readings"

 * Comments**: I like the idea of students taking responsibility for thier own learning. I agree that if students are invested in the process they will have more success. These are the skills that will help them be more successful in life.
 * Questions:** Are their websites that have models of inquiry based lessons in specific subject areas? High school math?

// "2.6 Reflections on Student Work // "
I loved looking at the students' project. I thought they did a terrific job and you can tell by reading it that it was completed independently and they had pride in what they had done. The home page with the groups picture was a nice touch, especially since they are students that I had in class this year. I liked that they were able to incorporate so much into the project, the links to other sites, the wordle, a slide show,etc. The link to pirate bad so that others could comment and question was great. I think it would be empowering to students to think that other students took the time to read and comment on their project. Hopefully it inspired them to read other projects as well.