readingtakesueverywhere

Week 14, December 2, 2009

2009-12-02T22:37:00.000-08:00

What is Learning?

In my first blog about "what is Learning", I posted that learning is any type of growth that a person makes in any type of mental or physical area due to being taught by someone or something else, observing, experiencing, studying, practicing, reading, listening, etc. I still believe all that I posted back on August 31st, but my depth of knowledge has greatly increased.

I now have "learned" much more about the learning and what it means. I have a wealth of knowledge of different learning theories. I know what they mean, how to use them, and how they affect learning. I feel that in this class we have had the opportunity to try all these theories as we have created a lesson plan for each theory. I have enjoyed reading the comments that the other students in our class have posted about my lesson plans. These comments have greatly helped me by making me rethink some of the parts of the lesson plans and then correcting or adding to them to better improve my teaching style.

I have used nearly all of these plans already this year in teaching in the Media Center at my school. The teachers are happy, the students are happy, and I am happy. However, the most important benefit is the knowledge that the students have obtained.

This class has kept me very busy, but I have "learned" and retained an immense amount of new methods, theories, technology skills, higher thinking skills, and many more benefits. If I need to look over any of these theories for details that I can't remember, I also have my synthesises to fall back on. The experience of writing the blogs have been very beneficial to me also. I am now familiar with blogs and how they work. I can add fun things to them such as pictures, a virtual cat, etc. I also referred back to my blog entries to finish my memo and my last synthesis.

How Can Learning be Best Effectuated by a Teacher/Trainer?

I have been a teacher for 24 years, but I have learned through this class the background of many methods that I have used for years, as well as new methods that I am now integrating into my teaching "bag of tricks".

I think that a teacher always needs to be open for new ideas, methods, lesson plans from others, and be willing to try these new methods in their teaching. I thought that it was interesting about the 3 different types of learners, and what the best methods for teaching them were.

I have enjoyed learning all the new things from this class from blogs, lesson plans, theories, comments, posting, etc. I feel that all these activities have really broadened my learning experience and what I think that learning is. I am however, looking forward to getting more sleep now that this class and the homework are about finished!

Week 13, November 24, 2009

2009-11-24T22:50:00.000-08:00

What is Learning?

The more we learn in our class with all the different styles/types of learning, the broader my definition of learning is. I think learning is a compilation of many different methods of teaching, and likewise, many different styles of learning by the different learners.

The newest method that we are "learning" about this week is Social Constructivism. This method has a zone of proximal development. That is the difference between what the student already knows and how we stretch them to expand and learn more difficult concepts. It also talks about scaffolding. I really like scaffolding and find that I use it in nearly every lesson I teach. Our school was trained in this method a couple of years ago along with our Reading First training. It works so well, and now I just automatically use it nearly all the time.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

I think that teachers need to be a master at working different teaching methods into their many lessons. Most of the time a master teacher will be using a combination of different methods all in the same lesson. A teacher needs to be aware of what is going on with each student - over all, all at once would be impossible most of the time! Then the teacher would need to think over their strategies and figure out what combination of methods would work for which subject, and what types of activites can draw in a majority of the students, in teaching any given concept.

Week 12, November 18, 2009

2009-11-18T21:55:00.000-08:00

What is Learning?

I think that learning is many things. I really like what Bruner said about learning that if the lesson has something in it that you need to know as an adult, then you should teach it. If it does not have anything in it that you need later in life, then you probably don't need to learn it. Of course, what you learn when you are young is not the entire concept, but the basis of what you will need in the future. As Bruner said, a child in Kindergarten can be taught some of the basics of physics for example, and that knowledge will be built upon as the child grows and learns until someday he/she might become a physicist. This is called spiral curriculum as you teach a simple part of the concept which continues spiraling up as the student learns and matures gaining more knowledge.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

I will once again refer to Bruner. I think that as teachers if we do think over what we are going to teach and how we plan to do so, we should take into consideration the thought of: Is this the base or extension of previous learning that will be a concept that these students need to know and build on for adulthood? If so, then teach it, if not then perhaps we should reconsider the lesson and the concepts we wish to teach.

Week 11, November 10, 2009

2009-11-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

What is Learning?

Learning is learned by doing. I firmly believe this. I guess that is why people learn so well from their mistakes - which refers to last weeks lesson of case based learning that has the fail aspect to it. I know that personally I learn the best by doing. I have had to sit through enumerable computer classes where they tellyou what to do, but never let you touch a computer. It is amazing how much more I can learn in just 1 hands on computer class where you actually get to do it yourself as they teach you.

I like to teach lessons with a variety of methods and activities. Actually letting the students work together in groups or pairs, doing the activites that teach the concept, seems to be a more exciting way to teach for the student as well as the teacher.

How Can Learning be Best Effectuated by a Teacher/Trainer?

I think that teachers/trainers need to be well prepared and have their plans thought out before they begin the lesson. Of course, plans can change or morph as the lesson unfolds, but the teacher needs to know where they are headed. The teacher needs to figure out what types of learning activities will work with a concept so they can have a situated cognition type lesson plan. All teaching does not need to be this same style as there are other great styles of teaching, but there is a need to use this type of lesson plan often as it lends to greater understanding of the concept being taught.

Week 10, November 4, 2009

2009-11-04T20:12:00.000-08:00

What is learning?

Learning is a combination of many different types of lessons which consist of different: methods, situations, stories, behavior modifications, students, teachers, peers, buddies, props, materials, settings, objectives, visual aides, etc., etc., etc.

This past week we have been focusing on case based learning. I think this is one of the easiest ways to learn for me. For example, if someone tells a story or recites a personal experience in the middle of their presentation, or during a church talk, more than likely, that is the part I will remember the most clearly afterwards. I will probably even remember how it related to the rest of what they said. However, if there is no case/story, I will be lucky to remember anything of value!

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

I think that as a teacher, I need to use a mixture of methods, ideas, activities, etc. as I teach. No matter how well I have mastered a certain wonderful method, it will get monotonous for the student as well as myself, if that is the only way I ever taught. If I use a variety of methods, ideas, approaches, and activities, I will keep their interest longer, reach more students - who by the way, all learn differently, and ultimately have more success with my students as well as myself.

Week 9, Oct 20, 2009

2009-10-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

What is Learning?

I still think learning consists of all the different aspects that I have mentioned before in other weeks. This week I have learned about 3 types of learners and there different problems in trying to learn. I have learned about the Mastery Goal type students who want to master a task and do it well. This type of learner sometimes avoids help or asking for help as they don't feel as if they are working hard enough to learn if they get help from others. I also learned about the Performance Goal oriented students. These students like to compete against others, or at least feel as if they are. They have trouble asking for help and learning sometimes because they are too busy trying to win and wanting to out perform the others. This distracts them from wanting to actually learn and remember what they learned. The last type of learners are the students with the Social Goal. These students are too worried about looking cool at school and to their peers. They don't want to appear as some dorky kid who asks questions, they want to be the ones who seem to already know everything so they don't ask questions or for help.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

Well, with the learning types that I listed above in the What is Learning section, there are different ways to address each of them to make them more effective. The master goal students need help in learning that it is ok to ask others, especially the teacher, for help when they need it. There are different team, partner, group, activities that can help with this. The performance goal type, needs to have activities that are not a direct competition against others. If they are in a competition with themselves this would help motivate them to learn the important material so they can progress. The social group does better in groups or situations where the whole group might be able to ask each other for help or ask the teacher as a group. This way they are not singled out as the one and only person in the class that needs help and doesn't know what to do - - in their own minds of course! With all these types, there are different types of motivation. It might be the activity, the grades, or a reward of some type. I was thinking about the high fives we use at my school and remembered how the teachers are suppossed to put their own names on each high five they give out. These are counted and every month the teachers names are put into a drawing for prizes - depending on how many high fives were given by each one. The prizes are good and everyone is beginning to pass out more high fives. I was thinking how the motivational level of the teacher has greatly increased by the reward. Of course, as the teachers give more and more high fives, the students are motivated and reciprocate accordingly. This is part of our schoolwide PBS plan, and is making our entire school -students & teachers, improve!

Week 8, Oct 13, 09

2009-10-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

What is Learning?

Well, I now know a little more about Piaget and his theories. I still have my basic ideas of what is learning, but they have once again expanded with the new knowledge or "learning" which I hopefully just acquired. The 4 stages of learning from Piaget kind of clarify the time frame and steps that happen in the younger years. I also thought the types of knowledge - physical, social, and abstract were kind of interesting. I think that when I teach, I kind of automatically follow these steps and stages, according to where the students are at the time. I teach K-6, so I adjust my levels as necessary.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

I think that the teacher needs to keep in mind the Human Development theories of Piaget while planning lesson plans. If a teacher prepares a lesson plan for a concept that is above the students capability or too advanced for them according to the different stages, then it is frustrating to the teacher as well as the student. It will also discourage both of them. As teachers, we need to be aware of the different stages of human development and plan accordingly. We also need to use this knowledge to be able to "stretch" the student so they reach the other stages. The most challenging thing is being able to meet all the students differing needs in the same classroom, with the same lesson. I guess when teacher are able to do this effectively, they are "Master Teachers".

Week 6, Sept 29, 09

2009-09-29T22:39:00.000-07:00

What is Learning?

After reading and studying schema theory, I need to add to my "what is learning" ideas. Much of our learning is added to what we previously know. Everything that we previously know is not all "school type" knowledge. Much of our schema or previous knowledge, or background knowledge is cultural or environmental knowledge. I think a lot of schematic knowledge comes from everyday experiences as well as your family experiences. If your family does something one way, then that is your experience in that situation and more than likely, if whatever it was worked, your schema includes the same set or pattern of doing the same thing. I know that sounds kind of confusing, so I will give a better example. In my childhood I have watched a dog chase a cat. Therefore, in my schema about dogs and cats, I figured that dogs usually chase cats. I kept this schema until years later when I lived in an apartment and had a mother cat with kittens. The neighbors big dog came outside by my mother cat and kittens. The next thing we knew my cat was on top of the big dog, running around the house and then up the street and back! My cat held on tight and the poor dog was terrified! After that incident, the big dog would not even come outside until I took my cat into my apartment. Needless to say, after 20 years, my schema about cats and dogs changed!

How can learniing be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?I think as a teacher I can "piggy back" on a students schema and get much further ahead with the concept. To do this in the library, sometimes with the little kids - K and 1st and maybe 2nd, I have a short discussion on the subect to start with, and that way I can kind of feel them out to see where they are coming from schema wise. Then I can relate the lesson or stories in a way that connects to their schema. This allows them to understand so much quicker.

Week 5 - Sept 21

2009-09-22T18:36:00.000-07:00

What is Learning?

Learning is many things. I feel that I am learning new things every day. I learn how to deal with people, such as the new teachers and staff at my school, as I get to know them better. I learn how to help them in the library and what types of things they need. I feel that I am "learning" tons of things in my masters classes. I notice that I am getting more familiar with my computer and some of the more modern technology as I practice using these different methods in my classes. I think this is all learning. As I read the posted readings, I realize that I fit into Ausubel's writings of "integrating the new material into my existing cognitive structure". All the "technology" we are using now, such as wiki's, blogs, etc., I used a little in Anne's 6030, Information Access and Technology class. I remember how hard that class was, but now I am glad I have some small amount of background or some existing cognitive structure on these methods. It is making my understanding and use of these methods much easier.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

I think that a teacher or trainer can best teach by building on the prior cognitive structure, which is the existing knowledge of the trainee or student. If I was going to teach someone the breast stroke for swimming, it will be much easier if they already know how to "swim" in general. It would be very hard if they had never been in the water, never held their breath underwater, and never tried a stroke before. This is the same in every subject. I could not teach long division if the student had never added or subtracted, multiplied or done simple division. As teachers we need to find where our students are and build from there.

Week 3

2009-09-09T22:04:00.000-07:00

What is Learning?

I think learning is the gaining or deepening of knowledge in any person or animal that enhances their abilities, opportunities or achievement in any area. I like the approach of the article "Applying Positive Behavior Support and Functional Behavioral Assessment in Schools". I think this is what the new program we are doing in our school this year is called, PBS. Positive Behavior Support is a great approach to successful learning. I think that this approach can really motivate students and school personnel alike. I am looking forward to using this PBS system in our school this year.

How Can Learning be Best Effectuated by a Teacher/Trainer?

I think that learning using the PBS program can be effectuated by a teacher/trainer in many ways. One thing that our school is doing is: every person has to give 4 positive comments to every 1 negative comment. That does not sound so hard, but if you see something happening that you need to take care of, you need to stop and think if you have already given 4 positives. If not, you had better hurry fast before you can make the negative correction! Of course, if it is important, you will obviously need to handle it. However, this thought or example makes a person think about which type of comments are the norm.

We also use high fives, and Grizzly Growlers as positive rewards throughout our school. If used correctly, this is a great positive motivator for nearly everyone, including teachers. (I wish I could use them at the school Grizzly Growler store!) As a school we try to use the positive approach in an effective manner, one of the ways we do this is trying to be unified as a staff in giving out the school wide rewards. Of course, each teacher is also able to use their own positive programs in their room as an addition to the PBS schoolwide program.

Week 2

2009-09-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

What is learning?

Now that I have read the behaviorism theory chapters by Skinner, I need to update my thoughts on what is learning. Learning is when an organism follows certain processes to get to a higher state of knowledge. This can be greatly affected by using different behaviorism strategies. This can be accomplished with either positive or negative strategies, however positive strategies are a better approach.

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

A teacher/trainer can accomplish a great deal with their "trainee" by using different behaviorism strategies. When a teacher uses encouraging words or comments when a student is showing improvement, the student naturally trys a little harder to show more improvement. When a student can see hope of accomplishing their goal or objective, they put forth more effort, which in turn can excite the teacher who then offers more encouragement.

An example in my Library at school is our behavior chart. As some classes start earning stickers towards a Library Popcorn Party, other teachers notice that their team teachers are pulling ahead, they then encourage their own students to catch up. The students in turn try harder to earn the stickers. If a class has a popcorn party, the smell is awesome and spreads throughout the building quickly. The classes that come the next few days seem to try extra hard to earn the sticker so they can get closer to their own popcorn parties.

It is a great cycle and promotes better behavior and also encourages teachers to keep their students under control, even in the library!

Week 1,

2009-08-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

What is learning?

In my opinion, I think learning is any type of growth that a person makes in any area (besides weight!!). So I guess I had better clarify that as to any type of mental or physical growth in any area due to being taught by someone or something else, observing, experiencing, studying, practicing, reading, listening, etc. For instance; you can learn a better way to improve your front crawl in swimming by observing, you can learn many facts and interesting things from reading a fiction book, you can teach a class and during the process discover a much better way to teach it the next time. Trial and error also helps a person learn. I have had a couple of tough challenges trying to remember how to get into this blog. I think this will now work, but I had to use a LOT of the trial and error method to get this far. Seeing as how I could not even remember which e-mail or password I had originally used, I have now LEARNED to write them down!

How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?

I think that teachers and trainers can help others learn most effectively if: first - they really know their subject well, 2nd - they are able to communicate their knowledge effectively to others, 3rd - they care that their students/players/tutees/etc. obtain the knowledge and skills that they wish to impart. Of course, a good attitude about the whole teaching/learning process goes a long way towards making learning effective.

A recent example: My daughter is a new freshman at USU. She was writing a paper for Connections and one question was about one of her best teachers. She wrote that her AP Lit. teacher was one of her favorites and taught her the most because she was always positive, always available to answer questions when my daughter had them, patient, and of course very knowledgeable. I was surprised when I read this part of the essay, because my daughter had never really put her English or Literature classes up at the top of being some of her favorite classes.

More of learning 2.0

2009-04-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

Week 8

Ok, I went into blog lines and found all sorts of neat blogs that I signed up for. I hope I don’t regret it time wise, but then I guess I don’t have to read them all. I found Ziggy, a cupcake bakery, some library sites, a quilting site, and lots of other interesting subjects. It was kind of fun.

Library Garden looks like it might be a good blog for library type individuals – such as us!

Week 9

Zoho writer is a new concept for me, is it like Microsoft word only for free? Very interesting, I did not know we could get so many things as in programs free on the web. I think it would work well for a newsletter type of deal where you can share it, and others can add their own parts.

I thought it was kind of neat on the Web 2.0 awards list, to see sites that we had checked out in the assignments for this class such as: del.isio.us, google docs, pbwiki, bloglines, google maps, and a few others.

I especially liked the travel site, it was so easy to check prices! Katie and I are contemplating putting in for a grant to attend the Picturing America Library/Art workshop in Boston. I was able to check the prices quite easily.

Week 11

I signed up for You Tube, first of all I realized I spelled it wrong the other day on our other assignment. Oh Well! Then I watched the Britain got talent, and watched Susan Doyle sing like an angel much to the surprise of everyone there who had been laughing at her before she opened her mouth to sing!
As I tried the link for the netlibrary account it would not work. There was an apology and a note that this page is currently not available.

Week 12

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alt="Wordle: 500s Dewey Decimals"
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I am having trouble making a tag cloud with wordle, my computer won’t do it, the program says I don’t have the right version of Java, and then my computer seems to download it, and then it still says I don’t have it. I will try tomorrow at work. I think this is really neat, and I want to try it!

Week 13

Some of these activities are hard to figure out while others seem so easy. Over all it has been a real eye opener to learn about all the technological programs that are out there for free that make things so much easier to navigate around the new world of technology. Of course the easy part will come after I practice! I think some of these will be very useful to me as a librarian, others will be useful to me as a part of a family of growing teenagers who seem to learn this computer stuff so much easier than I do. Other parts will be great to use to stay in contact with other family members that are farther away.

This has been another time consuming activity, but I think it is definitely worth it as I have learned and been introduced to so many new types of technology.

29 Learning 2.0 Things

2009-04-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

Journaling about Learning 2.0 in my blog

Week 2

Today I set up my very first blog. I had trouble thinking of a catchy name for it. I was working on it after school , my daughter was there as she is a student custodian, and a male teacher stopped to chat. They both gave me ideas. When they left I thought about their ideas and came up with: readingtakesueverywhere, so my blog is: http://readingtakesueverywhere.blogspot.com/ I think that is catchy!

Week 3

Flicker is so neat. I went into it and then got hooked looking at pictures. I really liked the pictures of the jellyfish all over the beaches. I also liked the pictures of Italy. Katie is going there this summer, so I decided to look at some of the Italian pictures.

My blog post for this week about anything technology related is:
I went to the Weber County Library North Branch for my Reference Librarian Assignment. The librarian there talked to me about a new library technology that will be used in the New Washington Terrace Branch when it opens. It is called a RFID technology. It stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a patch that goes into every single book, the patch includes an antennae. The person can scan an entire stack to check out all at once by setting the pile of books on the check out spot. When they are checked in, the books are automatically sent on a conveyor belt to the right bins for which ever library they are supposed to go back to. It was a totally awesome experience!

Week 4

This is my SandBox wiki URL

http://readingtakesueverywhere.pbwiki.com/FrontPage#comment1240715118

Week 5

Skype is really an awesome invention! My Skype name is: readingtakesueverywhere. I decided that I might as well stick with the same name as much as possible, that way it will be easier to remember it! We used Skype to talk to my sister and her family on Easter. They just moved to Kentucky , so all 20+ of us here in N. Ogden talked to her family. It was quite neat! She took us on a virtual tour of her home and yard by carrying her laptop all around everywhere so we could see. It was a fun experience.

Week 6

This is the URL to my LibraryThing account.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/readingtakesu

The LirbraryThing was a really neat place. I had fun putting in my books, and seeing how many others also picked the same books.
Library Thing was my favorite out of Image generator – which I did not quite get the hang of, so I will need to visit it again someday and play around some more, and Rollyo.

Week 7

I checked out Del.icio.us it looks like it works well for in depth research. I did discover a link on there for 40+ robot pictures. I had to check them out seeing as I help out with the Local High School Robotics Team.

I checked out Technoratie, I found the Susan Doyle You-Tube videos.

I also read the Web 2.0, Library 2.o and the future of Libraries. I guess we should have read this before we started 2.0. I think that all the stuff we have been looking at and trying is all stuff that we are going to need in the library. It is a good thing we are doing 2.0.

Information Literacy Assignment - Organic Grown vs Conventionally Grown Food

2009-04-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

Information Literacy Blog

Activity 1: Learning to Find and Use Information Effectively

How important is the skill of information literacy?
I think that the skill of information literacy is critical in today’s society. “Just like learning to read, information literacy is a skill everyone should have. Everyone needs to be able to navigate through the vast amount of information we have at our fingertips and judge whether it is accurate, reliable, and meaningful.” This statement in the article puts the need to be able to find and use information at the forefront of learning.

If you can’t discern which information is good, useful and correct, you really aren’t going to go anywhere in life, at least not in the correct direction. These skills are important for everything from buying things, forming opinions with an open mind, any type of research, etc. If a person is in school this is definitely a must.

Why is it important to understand that there are various types of information that can be found in different ways, using different tools?
This is an important concept as it all depends on what type of information you need. Just in doing my homework and daily library work I use all different types of media. I use books, e-mail, blackboard, abstracts, many other functions of the computer, radio for news, magazines, mail, newspapers, reference books, and many other forms of information. In all of these places or types of informational resources, I get different types of information. These are all different tools to get different results. If I only used one method, I would only get one type of information.

Why is it important to have good searching skills?
It is important to have very good searching skills. If a person doesn’t have these skills, then it is very difficult to search through an entire world of knowledge to find just what you need. The better skills you have, the more knowledge you find in a much quicker time frame. You can pinpoint your search to exactly what you need and not waste all your time looking all over and getting nowhere fast. A person with good searching skills also ends up with the more accurate and precise information.

Activity 2: Task Definition

Choosing a Scenario….

What do you already know about the scenario you selected?
I selected #1., the scenario where my nieces and nephews watch a lot of violent TV and play a lot of violent video games. I think that watching violent TV and playing violent video games does affect a child’s behavior, but I know my sister will deny it.

What are you uncertain about?
I am uncertain about what the exact effect is. Is it just a little influence, or can it be a great influence on their lives?

What are some specific questions that you have about the issue?
Some of my specific questions are: Have there been studies on this issue?, If there are studies, then what were the results? How long has someone been tracking the violence issue? Is there any difference between violent TV shows and violent video games? How serious of an issue is this? What is the extreme consequence of watching and participating in violent TV and video games?

What do I need to know to understand the issues better?
I need to know how to use the internet and look up this issue. I will need to be able to do research, look up articles on past studies, link different topics together in a search, how to copy and paste my information so I can keep it organized, and find out all the answers to my questions. I like to actually find and read the facts of the issue.

Cell Phone Case Example……

I read the example, but could not get into the videos. My school computers said it was banned site, pornography or adult content. Now I am at home and can get the everything except the u tube videos unless I want to subscribe. However, I read all the information on the cell phone scenario. Very interesting thought about popping popcorn with a cell phone, of course I happen to just LOVE popcorn....

Activity 3: Information Seeking

Where did the information come from?
Well, as I went to look up violence on TV and video games, I found out that the computers at my school are blocked and I can not look up anything on this subject. So, I am switching to scenario #2, which is a much more mellow subject! So, I had to do Activity 2 all over.

Activity 2: Task Definition 2nd Try

What do I already know about the scenario I selected?
What do I already know about organic food vs conventionally-grown food – absolutely nothing. I imagine people think organically food is better, but I don’t know.

What am I uncertain about?
I am uncertain if organically grown food is any healthier than conventionally grown food.

What are some specific questions that I have about the issue?
Is organically food healthier than conventionally grown food?
What is the difference in price?
If organically grown food is healthier, then how much healthier?
Is the benefit of organically grown food worth the cost?

What do I need to know to understand the issues better?
I need to know how to use the internet and look up these two ways of growing food. I will need to be able to do research, look up articles on past studies, link different topics together in a search, copy and paste my information so I can keep it organized, and find out all the answers to my questions.

Activity 3: Information Seeking

Where did the information come from?
From an internet search, different articles, such as Time science and health, Ezine@rticles, and others.

Are reporters from news organizations writing about only one or two issues related to your scenario?
Each article seems to have a certain angle, or explores or compares 1 or 2 different points.

Do any of the information sources seem to have an agenda?
Most of the sources seem to have their own opinion, and some are sponsored by certain companies so I assume they might be connected to a certain agenda.

Did you find any research about your topic?
Yes, some articles quoted different research studies.

Who is doing research about your topic?
There seem to be many places and factions doing research on this topic. I found some good articles at WikiAnswers.com. Some chemists, Doctors, scientists and others are doing research.

Who is funding research on your topic?
I am not sure, but by the sound of some of the articles, it could be an organic food organization as well as conventional food growers faction.

What issues emerged as most important or newsworthy from an initial scan of the information about the scenario?
That organically grown food has less chemicals, it might not be worth the price, it still has some chemicals but less than conventional grown food, it might or might not taste better. The produce that is organic might be smaller and does not grow as cost effectively. It might also not look as good.

How did your search compare with that of the cell phone researcher?
Since we had different topics, we used different search words, and both researched our questions. I think we followed a lot of the same processes.

Where did the cell phone information come from?
Many of the researchs were actually done by cell phone companies. Some were also done by different cancer organizations.

Who funded the various research studies on cell phone use?
Many of the various research studies were actually funded by the phone companies.

Did all of her questions get answered?
Yes, there was not an answer of Yes or No, Good or Bad, but her research paid off and she was able to make an informed decision on her and her family's cell phone use.

Did the blog commenters raise any new questions or concerns?
On the topic of organic vs conventionally grown food, most of the blogs seemed to be totally biased for the blog writers point of view. One blog looked at both sides in a manner which I thought was pretty fair.

Activity 4: Evaluating and Synthesizing

Cell Phone Case:

What process did this person use to sort through the cell phone information?
I liked how this person basically started at the top so to speak, by starting with the Cancer Institute for information on cell phones causing cancer. This person systematically went through the different sources and links examining the different studies and data.

How effective was it?
I think this person did a great job of researching this subject. She/he got into depth on some of the article and studies and researched them thoroughly.

Scenario:

What did you learn about your scenario generally? Summarize your “working knowledge” of your scenario.
I learned a lot of facts and also read a lot of opinions on this issue. I learned that the organically grown stuff might not be as big, beautiful, and is definitely not as cost effective to grow. It also has less chemicals in it, but still has some chemicals. I learned that the conventionally grown food is bigger, more beautiful, cost less, sometimes has better flavor, can have extra vitamins added to it, and it is way less expensive. I also learned it is basically a matter of preference on which type is better for you when you look at all the factors.

Do you have more questions now? Are there still questions you feel are unanswered?
I think all of my questions were answered, and I don’t really have any others. I know what I am going to buy and do for myself and my family.

Is there conflicting information that needs more clarification? Is this a conflict over facts or knowledge or is it conflict over values?
I believe it is NOT a conflict over facts or knowledge. I believe that it is basically a question of values, of what is important to each consumer.

Did you find enough information to make an informed decision?
I believe I have enough information to make an informed decision. I will buy conventionally grown produce and food at the store. I will also continue to grow my own garden, fruit trees, etc. growing what ever we like to consume. We usually grow about everything in the summer, and even can our own jams, fruit, tomatoes, pumpkin and other items. We generally only buy meat, bread and eggs in the summer for the most part.

How difficult is it to sort through information? What was your process for doing so?
It was not too difficult to sort through the information, except that it is easy to get sidetracked by other articles and links connected to the information. I did this by reading various different articles, searching under a few different key words, printing the articles that I thought were most relevant and informative. Then I referred back to the printed articles.

Activity 5: Seek More Information

Cell Phone Case:

Where did the researcher look for information a second time?
I liked how the person went to the library and had the librarian help her. She used a book on technology and found some other keywords to search under. Then she listed the sources and wrote an abstract kind of thing so she could remember what each site was about. She listed the author, title, date published, journal, volume, issue, pages, and a link to be able to quickly get back to the article.

How successful was this person in finding more relevant information?
I think this person was very successful in finding more relevant information. She liked how she could actually network articles together through their references.

Did she resolve the conflicting information on cell phone use that she found in her initial search?
I don’t think so, she is still working on it.

My Scenario:

I searched Academic Search Premier, which went to ebsco, where I looked up this issue. I am glad I went to ebsco as I found a better way to use it. The other day in my wiki I didn’t realize that they were printable, today I discovered that. I now like ebsco much more than I did last week!

I was successful in finding more information. The information did not change what I discovered before, neither did it change my decision on what I plan to use for my family.

The library search had more in depth information, written on a higher level. Both searches went well, and I was able to search both sources pretty much the same way.

Activity 6: Synthesizing Again

My thoughts about the cell phone researcher’s synthesis:
I think that she did a really great job of researching this issue. She came to the conclusion that the evidence for cell phones being a health risk is inconclusive. However it is recommended that the public be educated on this issue and to use caution. The person who did the research has decided that she will limit her time using and carrying her cell phone with her.

My Scenario:

What solution did I come to?
I will continue buying conventionally grown produce and food at the store. I will also continue planting a large garden in the summer season and grow my own vegetables, fruits, tomatoes, etc.

What were your steps for reaching this decision?
My steps were: first list the type of information I was looking for to answer my questions, second, sort through all the important information that I thought was relevant enough to print, third, read over and study the relevant information that I found, fourth, make an informed decision.

Write a paragraph or two that specifically answers the questions raised in your scenario.
I do feel that I am healthier for my choice of eating only organic food, however as I did my research, I discovered that there really isn’t much evidence that organically grown food is that much better than conventionally grown food.

With the way the economy is right now, our budget is really strained. As I did my research and discovered the differences are not that great, I began to wonder if trying to stretch my budget to be able to afford organically grown food was really worth it. I have come to the decision that for now at least, I will buy conventionally grown food, supplemented by my growing a large garden in the summer season where I can grow my own food organically.

2009-02-03T12:44:00.001-08:00

I love being a new librarian - what a fun job! It does keep me BUSY, but it is a challenging kind of busy.