Bloom's Taxonomy....again!

At first glance I think that Bloom's is very intimidating. However, after a considerable amount of time researching the topic it is quite interesting. I have finally learned that knowledge means the observation and recall of information; comprehension means understanding the information; applications means using the information to solve problems; analysis means seeing patterns in the information, such as seeing hidden meanings; synthesis means using old ideas to create new ones; and evaluations means the ability to compare and discriminate between different ideas about the information. I think that it is very hard to accomplish all six competences on one lesson or webquest. As far as my webquest I tried to seperate my components and see what competency was being used. For some, I think I confused them. Some in my opinion could be overlapped into others. However, until now I had not realized the work involved to become a teacher. I mean with the "higher level of thinking" aspect. This is one triangle I hope I will never forget.

Webquests

I think that with Filamentaly and a lot of hard work, I have finally gotten my webquest finished. It is not exactly how I wanted it. I think that it is very basic and not exactly filled the requirements of the assignment. However it is my first one, and I think I did okay for a beginner. It does not have any pictures or moving objects on it. I think that they would be more interesting to second graders. However, I have gotten the topic I think down. It took me a lot of time to change everything and get it in the sections that I wanted the information in. However, I think that the process was a great learning opportunity. I just hope I can remember how I did it!!! This technology stuff is so fascinating, yet completely mind boggling. I think for some it just comes naturally or so it seems. For me it is a trial and error everytime I turn this computer on. I guess I should of been more interested when I was younger. Then, I do not feel that would of helped all that much. The world of technology changes everyday it seems. The kids of today a lucky in a sense that they are so adaptable to new changes. For me it is like changingor starting a whole new way of living. Harder for the established but easier for the new learners not yet set in their ways.

Bernie's Taxonomy

Bernie's Taxonomy is similar to that of Bloom's do to the fact that they are both creating an authentic webquest. Bernie's Taxonomy starts with life verbs such as decide, design, create, predict and judge. Then, classroom verbs which are know, tell and remember. In the center, he has apply, analyze and explain. So to create a successful webquest you need to decide what the topic is, design and create the topic information, predict what the students will learn and judge if they have learned the subject. You, need to have the students apply the knowledge they gain, analyze it and explain how it works. Then, the student will be able to know what they have learned, tell the teacher about it and remember it for future reference. The webquest has to be in a format so that the student knows what you are asking of them. Open-ended questions are best it gives them time to personalize and internalize the answer. There are no wrong answers, it just takes them to a higher level of learning. Bernie also recommends that the webquest not be a procedure, a factual recall, topics that they are learning in their textboooks, and update on a task, or inauthentic task, single facet topics and absolutely no essays.

WebQuest

I have been doing some research on how to design a webquest. There are alot of templates to use. However, I am having difficulty with finding one that fits my topic. Now, I understand what it means when all topics will not work for a webquest. I have found some lesson plans for coral reefs, but they do not exactly fit for a webquest. I will wait and see what my wiki-partner Veronica has to say about my websites. I will be spending all day tomorrow to try to set up a rough draft webquest page. I will see how that goes. I have found a lot of information for my topic and the lesson plan that looks like it works. I am frustrated though. I feel that I do not understand some of the things I am asking the students to research and learn about. The grade that I found the lesson plan for is 9-12. I am not sure if it is okay to use some of the information on this lesson plan.
On another topic I am not sure what grade I wish to teach yet. I thought about second grade. The reason for this is to catch children in need of extra help and get them that help before they are too far into the world of education. So, I guess I am leaning toward helping the exceptional child.

John Buckman-Magnitune

John Buckman created Magnitune in 2003; to create a way for musicians to get their music out. This method allowed the musicians free marketing, if they allowed others to use their music without making a profit. Most music labels would charge a musician $5-10,000 per year and would not guarantee that the Cd would even be distributed to the public. And if you could not guarantee that the Cd would sell 2000 to 7000 Cd's they would not even sign you. Buckman was considered the poster boy of music revolution. He accepts about 400 Cd's per month to look over. Out of these he usually picks only 10 to put on the Internet. He only uses classical, world, new age, thrash or speed metal for examples. He will never use any music that you can come by on the traditional FM radio station. His whole ideal is to get the musicians that would never be listened too, put out there so they can be heard. He believes that musicians should never give up their rights to their music. The major label industry makes $12 billion dollars a year from musicians; and the label owns the rights to the music. Magnitune also helps the "little guy" to make a little money. Buckman believes that the key to success is to look for the little guy and work together to make money. He believes that you will never succeed if you go up against the major labels. For example he has a license made for wedding DVDs. A wedding photographer is allowed to create Cd's with pictures from the wedding with music from Magnitune. This license allows the photographer to sell the Cd's to guests of the wedding and make a few dollars. I really like his ideals and how he is willing to stand up and defend users of his music if they are attacked by lawyers. He stated the he "likes helping sell stuff he believes in"; I think this is exactly what he does and he backs up his words.

Website, Blog, Wiki? What is the difference?

I want to thank Melissa S. for asking this question, and Lisa for answering it! This helps with defining how each works and their purpose. Again, THANKS!

Websites and webpages

I am very intimidated by this weeks assignment, however I feel that jumping in with both feet is probably to only way to learn this kind of stuff. I choose google, weebly, and yola for my three pages. Google and weebly have demo videos which I found to be extremely helpful with the novice of myself. Yola did not, yet it had the drop and drag for elements. I think weebly has a lot of add ons. I did not add any of these. I am unsure where to go from here. I titled and wrote welcome on my pages, and stopped there. Still exploring and trying to figure out where to go from here. I will get there eventually. I think that just being able to get the first page started is great progress for myself. Truthfully I can not choose a favorite. I don't feel confident in myself or the pages for that yet.