Alan November Chapter 4 & 5

Chapter 4: Accessing Primary Sources to Enhance Critical Thinking

Teaching students to know how to search for primary sources is very important. The information available is overwhelming, so if we teach our students to be able to find accurate information it would be helpful to them. The learning will be more authentic as well. We as teachers should help the students become critical thinkers when searching for primary sources. In the chapter Alan recommends some questions to use when teachers are observing students using primary sources:

• Do students understand the definition of primary source?
• Do students have the skills to document the source of the primary source?
• Do students have a well-defined search strategy? 
• Do students know when to use different search engines and databases?
• Do students have the ability to make meaning from the primary sources that they found? 
• Are the students easily distracted or do the stay on task?
• Do different students have different strategies?
• Where are students struggling?
• Where are they delighted?
• Are they using their imagination (ex. asking "what if" questions"?
• Which students are taking the lead?
• What is the role of the instructor when student(s) ask for help?
• Are students working well together?

When reading this chapter Alan mentioned a website called www.archives.gov/education, it is a great site to look for primary sources. I think it is a great source to diigo.

Chapter 5: Online Learning

Online learning has become so popular lately. It works well for many adults who have to work and go to school at the same time. Since 2001, online learning has increased. However, online learning is not for everyone. It depends on the person. Online learning is different, there is still involvement of the parent, teacher and school. However, some roles change. In the classroom teachers manage the learning, however in online learning, the students manage the learning. Alan says that some students have said that teachers give more feedback through online learning. I think online learning is great for the right people. However, I also agree that we need the social aspect of school. I think that online learning can be part of our school learning. Online learning should always be an option because not everyone will succeed.

Alan describes a successful student as:

• Motivated to take the class
• Self-disciplined and responsible
• Able to work independently
• Has parental support

Alan describes a successful online teachers as:

• Think out of the box
• Are certified to teach in the state
• Have four or five years of classroom experience
• Have not taught the same course year after year
• Like students
• Are willing to learn and apply what they learn to teaching students
• Are not technophobes or techies
• Devotes time and energy to teaching online
• Is available to students
• Is creative and willing to experiment
• Breaks down curricula into clearly organized, clearly explained smaller units
• Focuses on concepts, not class periods
• Integrates curricula

Alan also mentions that Scotland is building/built a nationwide online learning platform and I decided to look it up. The name of the website is Glow. I thought it was very interesting because they have everything in one location for parents, educators and students. This page gives you more information on what it is and how to use it.