Blog #3

Your third post should contain:
A paragraph describing a lesson plan you might create that uses technology in some way. Be sure to mention how you will use technology, what technology you would use, and what subject matter and grade level the lesson is for. (See Chapter 2 for ideas)
A paragraph in which you provide a visual critique of a web site using the rules presented in Chapter 6. Be sure to link to the site. If you’re up to an extra challenge, include images (screen shots or other sources) in your blog post.
A paragraph about your experience with copyright and fair use of materials in an educational environment. How would you deal with these concepts as a teacher, developing your own instructional materials and having students who may use other sources to create their own works (google these terms to find out more!).

To create a lesson plan, I would use Inspiration. I would download this software, and create a flowchart using it. I could use this software for any grade level, but I plan on using it for my 3rd grade students, to teach them about the weather. I would use different symbols and pictures as well, to make it visually pleasing and appropriate for the subject matter.

I used the FSU website to critique. Using the rules in chapter six, I have decided that I like this website. There is not much to critique. Steady with the first rule, the design is very general and visually pleasing. Words and pictures are presented simultaneously, there are words AND pictures, there is good spacial contiguity, and extraneous words and pictures are left out. The second rule is satisfied as well, since the website guides users easily through the various pages. Text is also justified appropriately, as stated in rule 3. I especially like how all of the links are on the left, lined up neatly. The entire page is pretty much the same font, so rule 4 is not broken. There are colors, but they go together well, and are not distracting, so rule 5 is satisfied. These colors follow through the entire website, so no problems with rule 6. Text is enhanced and not too small or difficult to read, with pictures to reinforce the concepts, so rule 7 is good too. There are no superfluous items, which is good because they do not contribute information and are distracting, as stated in rule 8. And consistent with rules 9-14, upper and lowercase letters are used, lines are short, there is single spacing, and the structure is simplified, with a limited focus and plenty of emphasis. The website also realizes that there will be a wide audience, as stated in rule 15, so it is applicable to everyone. There is no flashing text, which makes it difficult to focus, as said in rule 16. Lists are used, navigation is consistent, vertical text is missing (thank goodness!) and there are no multiple graphics, which means we are good for rules 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 also. The screen is organized, size of text and images are proportional to importance, and the placement is superb, so we have pretty much satisfied all the rules of quality websites.

I have dealt with the subject of copyrights early in my academic career. In my classroom, I will of course enforce these rules and teach my students WHY they are as they are, rather than condemning and threatening them against is from the start, like some of my teachers did. I will show my students how to properly give credit for a source and cite the materials appropriately. I will also be sure to teach them many different methods of citation, since they will likely be using several different formats in their futures, and exposure to the various formats is definitely a plus. I will be sure to cover all of the different rules for copyrights and plagiarism. I will not let my students get away with it, but I will not make them feel bad if they forget, I will simply remind them exactly why it is so important to do so. I will also introduce them to a cool site I found here...AFTER I teach them the proper way to do it themselves, of course!