C&
I 335 Computer-Assisted Instruction Activity 4
Recommended Computer Resources Marty Sierra-Perry
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Centennial Library | Time Multimedia Almanac |
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Overview The American Visions series with Robert Hughes originally aired on Wednesday, May 28, 1997 on PBS and continued on consecutive Wednesdays through June 18. The series was produced with the BBC,Time, Inc. in association with Thirteen/WNET. This eight-part series prompts the audience to explore the question "When we look at Americans through the lens of their art, what do we see?"
Usability As would be expected of a PBS product, the site is organized to invite exploration. The site includes a Gallery that features the art works included in series and gives the viewer access to the works by title, artist, or program. In additon, the site includes a Web Tour and Resources link that takes the viewer to related sites and the companion TIME magazine pieces. Since your interest is now aroused the site connects you to Current Visions which contains recent art work of fellowship recipients. This site conveys a feeling that art in America is not finished or completely interpreted but continues to redefine America's vision of itself. At the time of the original broadcast, viewers had an opportunity to log on to a live chat with Robert Hughes. The transcript of that chat is available. Finally, the site connects to the PBS store where the videos can be purchased.
This map makes moving around the site easy.
Home | Exhibition | Gallery | Web Tour & Resources
Art Talk
Programs | Current Visions | Outreach | Videos/Book |
Credits
Usefulness¾
Among the objectives for my American literature course
are those that require looking at what being an American means, connecting
the literature of various periods to the values of the time, and using
primary sources--art among them--to analyze our conclusions. One component
of the approach that I use is Visual Thinking Strategies. Essentially this
approach uses art to encourage students to develop their own understanding
of a piece of art through critical thinking. This web site provides students
with art they can copy and paste into their VTS assignments. Links to other
art museums allow them to look at art by the same artist and begin to develop
a recognition of a particular artist's style, medium, or theme. A timeline
included at the site assists students in placing the art in perspective
as it relates to national or world events. I also have a limited number
of the Time magazine available for those without access to the web.
On a scale of 1-5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), I give this resource a 5.
NoodleBib
is a great site for students to use as they develop their works cited pages
for any project that involves research and thus a works cited page.
The site helps the student format sources in the correct MLA style.
I recently checked the site, and it will not be operational again until
after October 4, 1999. My back-up site is the
Usability
This site was designed for elementary and middle school
students, but it is quite appropriate and useful for senior high school
students. The page contains advice for conducting a search for useful
sources. The research process is linked to pages that take students
through the process in a deliberate manner. The content is global
enough to fit a variety of research experiences across disciplines.
This web site also includes a section on creating citations for the works
cited page using MLA format. Students complete an interactive form
and then cut an paste the citation into their documents. The forms
available are citing a book, E-mail message, Online discussion list or
forum posting, CD-ROM, an interview, Online magazine and newspaper articles,
and various web pages.
Usefulness
Juniors at Centennial are expected to be able to conduct
research using a variety of resources. Regardless, of the location
of the sources--library or Internet--students are responsible for accurately
following the MLA style. This expectation applies to any research project
the student conducts during the year. My juniors are at various stages
of researching a significant event that occurred on their birth date.
They are to locate five sources and compare and contrast two of them. They
are evaluating the sources using the following criteria: Authority, Accuracy,
Objectivity, Currency, and Coverage. This site has been essential for students
in my inclusion class.
On a scale of 1-5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), I give this resource a 5.
The
Centennial High School Library
Useability
The Centennial
High School Library web page opened in the fall of 1998. Over
the year students who are involved in research can use the library web
page to access LINC-- a consortium of libraries in joined through the Lincoln
Trails system. From this page students are able to search for materials
from home, place holds on books, and have them sent to Centennial High
School for pick-up. Upon finishing with the materials, they can return
them through Centennial. This is particularly useful for students
who live outside the city but whose parents pay taxes to Champaign Schools.
Without this service, these students and their families would have to pay
an additional fee for library services.
The page is also a gateway to online databases like Electric Library, EBSCOhost Magazine Articles, and OCLCFirstSearch. In addition students may access Britannica Online and Wilson Biographies. These resources give students practice in online searching, and familiarize them with the types of materials they can use in work and college. Once students are at the page access to these resources through links. They have been given stickers with the passwords for those databases that require them.
Usefulness
Whether at home or at school, students and their
families will find what they need at this page. The databases that
are available through subscription expand the sophistication of materials
to which students have access. Students can find full-text articles for
over 210 periodicals dating from January 1990 and abstracts and indexing
for over 500 periodicals dating from 1984 to the present, including the
New York Times. These materials readily support the student
throughout the research process.
On a scale of 1-5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), I give this resource a 5.
Time Multimedia Almanac
Useability
Students actually enjoy using this CD-ROM! They enjoy
it so much that they often become distracted. Accessing the files
on the CD is fairly easy. Students can locate information through
the search feaure for specific dates, or events. This CD includes video
clips, maps, photos, tables and charts which can be copied into other documents.
Usefulness
Juniors in my Americn literature class were able to locate
information on the events that happened during the 20th century on their
birth dates. They could also use this as a source for comparison
to other types of resources on the same subject. The magazines writing
style is accessible to many of my inclusion students. They were able to
discuss some common events with others;they understood what they had read.
This resource will also be helpful when students develop their timelines. The sections of the magazine include literature, entertainment, world and national events, and of course politics. They may even find information on reviews of books of the authors they are reading.
The only downside is obtaining updates.
On a scale of 1-5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), I give this resource a 4.
LCD panels versus LCD projectors
Overview
What to do in the one-computer classroom? How do
students show their PowerPoint presentations without tying up the lab?
Using a LCD panel on an overhead projector or a LCD projector provides
a solution.
Useability
Each of these products is easy to use. Hook-up is a matter
of attaching cables to the computer. Each of these products has its strengths.
The LCD panel we have is quite portable and is low in cost. On the
other hand, the heat from the overhead causes distortion of the image as
it projects. It does not show the colors that appear on the monitor
which can cause confusion in the presentation. The LCD projector
has a sharper image and the colors are more vivid.
Usefulness
I have used each of these products with success. We have
two "cows"--computer on wheels--one with the projection panel and the other
with the projection monitor. The high cost of replacement keeps me from
traveling with the projection monitor. I am fortunate to have the other
"cow" housed in my room for those teachable moments.
The high cost of these keeps them from being used outside the communications center.
On a scale of 1-5 (1=lowest, 5=highest), I give this resource a 4.
