Social Bookmarking - NETS-T III, IV

1. National Archives

The LBJ Library and Museum site is awe-inspiring. Primary sources include photo documentaries, oral histories, and both audio and video clips. Information is organized thematically and further categorized to appeal to different age groups and research purposes, from young school children to doctoral candidates in history and political science. Eyewitness Accounts is another exciting site. There is a moving and poetic account of the immediate aftermath of JFK's assassination by Lady Bird Johnson. Using primary source material gives students firsthand accounts of events from many different perspectives, allowing them to see both positive and negative effects of events and actions. History comes alive when you see how real events effect real people, creating a deeper understanding of events or actions and a more informed opinion.

2. NEA - Achievement Gap

Students at risk for experiencing achievement gaps include racial and ethnic minorities, English language learners, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families. Issues of gender and sexual orientation may also contribute to achievement gaps. Three areas of becoming a culturally competent educator that fit my teaching style are (1) determining diverse groups and their needs; (2) gathering and organizing resource materials related to culturally diverse groups; and (3) building a network of "natural helpers" and "experts" who have firsthand knowledge of the diverse groups served by the school.

I've always been intrigued by the richness of culture and customs I've encountered in the classrooms and communities in which I have lived. When we share our culture, our cuisine and our customs with people who appear to be different from ourselves, we find many common threads woven into the fabric of our lives and, in the process, build a sense of mutual respect and understanding. One of the best ways of sharing cultural information is through folk music traditions. It's very rewarding to have children share songs and customs from their native culture. Some simple songs have been translated into many languages, reminding us all that we can become one in our diversity. Engaging family and community members to share experiences and expertise in the classroom is another means of building community and creating a support system for the benefit of all students.

3. Stop Cyber Bullying

I'm a Cyber Saint - and not just because of lack of cyber experience! Put-downs and cynicism have become a mainstay of contemporary social interaction, but they have never been my style. Parry Aftab's guide for schools on cyberbullying is very informative. It's important for schools to have an attorney draft an acceptable use policy statement that will hold up as a legal document should that become necessary.

It's good to know that schools do have some recourse for off-premise cyberbullying when it effects the safety of a victimized child at school. Children need to be aware that speaking with strangers in cyberspace can be every bit as dangerous as speaking with a stranger face-to-face. This website will be a good tool for any cyber problems that arise in the classroom. There are resources for parents, students and teachers to resolve disputes and to create fair use guidelines. Legal pages will soon be available at WiredSafety.org as well.

4. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators

The History & Social Sciences and the Mathematics sites of the "Subject Access" area look very useful both for lesson planning options, and for information resources to use with an 8th grade student I am currently tutoring. The student I work with "hates" Social Sciences and struggles with Math in school. I found "This Day in History" video clips to be very enjoyable - they'd be great to show at the beginning of class. Some of these interesting sites may just change the student's mind about these subject areas. I looked at Kathy Schrock's presentation on Visual & Video Literacy under the "Teacher Helpers" area, and found some excellent tips on using multimedia for engaging PowerPoint presentations. This will make a great resource for designing multimedia lessons for the classroom. There are also links for additional teacher help and online training opportunities. What a gold mine Kathy Schrock has created for educators and students!

5. Multiple Intelligences

My top three intelligences are musical (75%), naturalistic (58%) and intrapersonal (50%). I viewed "Big Thinkers: Howard Gardner on Multiple Intelligences." There are many resources available to design teaching and learning activities based on the theory of multiple intelligences, but until the assessment process is changed from the short-answer, multiple choice design that dominates testing at all levels of education, our educational system will continue to fall short of meeting student needs. If we really believe that people have different strengths and intelligences, then we need to allow each child's educational experience to move beyond the linguistic and logical paradigm. There are too many subjects, too many standards covering too many mindless details, and too much testing for any depth of learning and understanding to take place. A multiple intelligences approach to education gives equal opportunities for every child to learn according to his own strengths.

6. Teaching Tolerance Lesson Idea

"Setting the Stage for Controversial Topics" asks the question: "What does ice cream have to do with controversy?" Students are asked to move to an open area about 40 feet long, divided into ten sections clearly marked from 1 to 10. Asked to keep their eyes open but not to talk, students are directed to move to a number area that expresses how much they like ("10") or dislike ("1") an item the teacher reads. Items include ice cream, boiled okra, professional athletes, opera, rap or hip hop ... a total of 8-10 items. Results are recorded and used as the basis for a discussion about difference and diversity. What begins as a weird exercise can become a thoughtful discussion on a serious topic. Later in the year, as controversial topics arise, the teacher may comment: "That's not surprising. Remember, we couldn't even agree on ice cream in this class." This seems more like a Social Studies exercise to me, although this site offers several exercises for Math to teach social justice issues.

7. EdChange Multicultural Awareness Quiz

Question 4. In a 2007 study, UNICEF rated the treatment of children in the 23 wealthiest countries in the world based on 40 indicators of child well-being. Which two countries received the lowest ratings?

That the U.S. and U.K. are the lowest rated countries in providing health care and support services for children is an atrocity. Our children are our future and our greatest natural resource. We simply must do better.

Question 12. What percentage of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender high school students report that their teachers “never” or “rarely” respond to homophobic remarks made by other students, according to a national study by GLSEN?

To disapprove of someone's lifestyle or sexual orientation is each individual's right. To in any way publicly express that disapproval or condone homophobic remarks made by students is unconscionable. Mutual respect and tolerance should be actively promoted by teachers in every educational environment.

8. Netiquette Guidelines

Thank you for taking the Netiquette Quiz.

You correctly answered 10 questions.
Overall Score: 100%. :>

"Netiquette" is the etiquette of online communication. It refers to common courtesy online practices and to an informal set of rules and procedures to follow in online communication. It's important to teach students about Netiquette to maintain respectful and safe online communication practices. Written communications online should be as respectful as face-to-face communications in the classroom. Students also need to take care to keep their personal information (name, address, phone number) hidden online. If an online contact suggests a face-to-face meeting, students need to inform their teacher immediately. :)