Beyond Google and Wikipedia: Effective Use of the Internet for Student Research Projects (Grades 5 - 8)

TEWS699N

Rapidly evolving technology has provided children with unprecedented access to information from all over the world. But the sheer volume, rate of change, and staggering number of sources of information have created a whole set of new challenges for students, teachers and parents. What's true? What's safe? Is the source of information providing a service or seeking profit? How do we stay focused, and when do we stop searching? What do we do with all this information?

In this online course, will guide parents and teachers through an Internet-based research project just like those their students are expected to do, introducing innovative web tools and strategies along the way. Online students will discover a host of powerful resources designed to filter and catalogue information as well as tips for mining the "deep web" -- the rich layers beneath those exposed by popular search engines.

Instructors

Dov Campbell, BA, currently works as a technology integration specialist for an independent school outside of Philadelphia where he also teaches digital literacy to students grades 5-8. Mr. Campbell serves as a Learning Fellow for Powerful Learning Practices, a professional development model that allows educators to learn and own the literacies of 21st Century learning and teaching. He has also recently presented Strategies and Tools for Successful Video-basedProjects at the Diverse Conference in Aberystwyth, Wales UK. He earned a BA from University of Colorado in Environmental Science.

Shoshana Wolfe

Shoshana Wolfe, MA, began working in NYC public and independent schools in 1994. Currently, she works as a staff developer and private tutor in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Shoshana Wolfe is the author of Your Best Year Yet: Purposeful Planning and Effective Classroom Organization and is developing two other books: Raise your voice! Dynamic Oral Reading Experiences for Grades 3 - 8 and Images that Teach: Graphic Organizers for Middle Schoolers. She holds a MSEd from Goddard College and a BA in Theater from Skidmore College.

Course timetable: July 5 - July 30

1 CEU: $350 (not offered for credit)
Registration deadline: 6/29

The workshops/courses are asynchronous, that is, participants work at times that suit them best; however, there will be firm weekly due dates for assignments. The course instructor will act both as a leader and a mentor by offering regular support, suggestions, and direction.