Discussion 3

TIP Model Phase 4-Preparing the Instructional Environment Esmerelda is having her students do a social studies project in which they do "virtual interviews" of experts on various periods in U.S. history. She schedules time in the computer lab and has them locate experts by searching Internet sites. She gives them an initial list of sites, but encourages them to branch out from there, looking for additional sites on their own. There is no lab manager and she has to go back to the classroom for periods of time as they work, but she knows they are competent Internet users and can be trusted not to leave the lab without permission. For their contacts with experts, she has them prepare a standard email with the school name; their names, ages, addresses, and personal email addresses, if they have one; and a description of what they would like to know.

1. Assuming she is correct that students will not leave the lab with permission, is Esmeralda's plan for having students use the Internet a good one? Why or why not?
It's a good idea to a certain extent. It's good for the students to be able to navigate become familiarized with the Internet and learn about the topic they are researching. The fact that she gave the students a list of sites provides a bit of a safety net, for the first couple of minutes of their research however one must fear when they start navigating on their own without the supervision of an adult. We can assume they know what's right and what's wrong but why give them temptation. It concerns me also that they are putting in personal information. I don't think we could trust the students to differentiate between a reliable source vs. an unreliable one. Ultimately I think there should be some kind of supervision at all times because like someone mentioned in class these kids are quick and witty. It's better not to even give them the chance to do something they are not suppose to be doing.

2. Do you see any problems with the email she is having them send?
I most definitely see a problem with their emails. I would'nt feel comfortable for any of my future children to be giving out our address to complete strangers. Yes they may be experts so to speak but there are predators everywhere. I just don't feel that that kind of personal information is required from the expert they find. I think just an email should suffice and for those who don't have an email then those students can go in a side group with the teacher to create one. Furthermore, I think a teacher or computer lab staff member should be there to approve the expert that the student finds before sending any kind of communication. We can't trust that all students will make the right judgments about these experts that they come across.

3. How would you change her plan to improve it?
I think she should wait for there to be a lab manager or at least another staff member available to help guide the students in the lab before doing this assignment. I think she should also do her very best to take care of everything she might have to do in the classroom before begnning this assignment that way she could be present in the lab for monitoring. I like the idea of having a list ready for the students to start their search from but I think once they have branched out they should have the teacher or staff member approve what they are viewing in order to make sure they are on the right track.

-Paula Partida