Out of the Dark Ages November 29, 2007

In my effort to emerge from the Dark Ages, I have decided to purchase a laptop computer.  I struggled with this notion for a while because of the computers’ costly nature.  However, I have found that it is necessary for both school and work.  As soon as I came to my decision to purchase a laptop, the next question was, what will it be?  A Mac or a PC?  Our group project for the media literacy assignment was to compare the ads of the ongoing war between the two types of computers.  Having a desktop PC at home and a Mac at the office, I have had the golden opportunity to work with both.  And after much brooding and experimentation with the two, I have finally decided to purchase a PC.  Although I’ve fallen in love with my Mac at work, I had to come to the brutal conclusion that I just cannot bring myself to spend that much money on gigabites and rams and what not simply because I have an emotional attachment to a machine. 

Also, my mother-in-law works for Hewlett Packard and can get me an incredible deal on an HP laptop, so that just sealed the deal.

Internet Phenomenon Assignment November 8, 2007

RYTHospital:  Fact or Fiction?

Annotation:

This is a research-based project focusing on RYT Hospital.  RYT Hospital has a website online that is a hoax, but many aspects of the website are very believable.  Students are split up into groups of 3-4 and are to analyze different aspects of the website and conduct research to explain how the website is actually a hoax.  This assignment is designed for a 10th grade Literature class.  The purpose of it is to strengthen students’ critical thinking and research skills.

Links:

http://www.rythospital.com/

http://www.rythospital.com/nanodocs/

http://www.genochoice.com/

http://www.malepregnancy.com/

http://www.rythospital.com/clyven/

Procedures:

1.    Teacher will introduce RYT Hospital’s website to the class and briefly discuss it.  Students will be informed beforehand that the website is actually a hoax.
2.    Teacher will divide the class up into groups of 3-4.
3.    Teacher will ask students to analyze the website as a group and discuss what aspects of the website allude to it being fake.
4.    Students will then perform individual research on their desired interest of the website.  For example, one student can put together information on the human reproductive system to explain how it is impossible for a man to become pregnant.
5.    Students have the freedom to be creative with this assignment.  There is no concrete format in which it should be turned in; however, there should be proof that actual research was performed.  Charts, graphs, and written responses are some examples.
6.    Students will be evaluated by the teacher and by their peers in their groups.

Extension:

For students who are already familiar with the concepts being taught, they will be encouraged to help others in their group and take a leadership role within the group.  Facilitating instruction can be used as a way to reinforce learning.

Remediation:

For students who do not readily grasp the concepts, the teacher can offer one on one help in conducting the research.  The teacher can also give students advice on how to go about researching the information.

Timeline:

Students will be given one month to complete this assignment.

Primary Learning Outcome:

After completing the assignment, students’ critical thinking ability should be enhanced as well as their researching strategies.

Assessed GPSs:

ELA10W3- The student uses research and technology to support writing.
ELA10LSV1- The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, and group verbal interactions.
ELA10LSV2- The student formulates reasoned judgments about written ad oral communication in various media genres.  The student delivers focused, coherent, and polished presentations that convey a clear and distinct perspective, demonstrate solid reasoning, and combine traditional rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description.