Software Review: Learning.com

Web Browsing: Research and Citing Sources Grades 6-8

http://www.learning.com/index.htm

My Test Results of 100%

There are 4 tutorials about web browsing that I took. I did not learn anything new from these tutorials. They did refresh my memory on the labels of things such as the "suffix" and the "host page." A barrier to success that I found in this program is that a student may not know how to type. Another thing was that a student may know one part of the lesson, but the student can not skip ahead and I don't believe a student can go back. This lesson could become boring. I also wish the programmers had the professor teach the entire lesson. The professor would be more fun for students than using a woman's voice.

Here are the four lessons I took and the Standards they fulfill:

Lesson 1: Browsing Basics

NETS Standards

5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.

Lesson 2: URLs

NETS Standards

1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.

Lesson 3: Web Searches

NETS Standards

3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.
c. collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.

5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

Lesson 4: Validity and Sourcing

NETS Standards

1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

2. Communication and Collaboration
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

5. Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.

Sources:

International Society for Technology in Education., ISTE (2007) The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•S) and Performance Indicators for Students. Retrieved March 5, 2009, from ISTE Web site: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007_Standards.pdf

Learning.com. (2007). Retrieved March 5, 2009, from Learning.com Web site: http://www.learning.com/index.htm