Website Evaluation Formula

This site would be a fantastic resource for high school students learning to distinguish websites as credible or bogus. It covers 5 major topics for evaluating web pages: (1) authority, (2) purpose/intended audience, (3) currency, (4) objectivity, and (5) support. Each section includes a set of questions to consider when looking at websites. But even better, I think, is the inclusion of tips and ideas to help the student really think through these questions. So not only does it ask the student "Who's the author?", the site instructs students on where to find this information, what to do if it isn't listed on the site, and how to verify credentials of an author or organization.

Duke University Libraries: Evaluating Web Pages

Wonderful Wikis

So this week was dedicated to learning about Wikis and their classroom use. I find wikis pretty straight forward - edit, write, save! Creating and embedding links was pretty interesting, and I liked working with the pictures and fonts/colors and such, but I do plan on spending more time 'fussing' with the formatting and other fun stuff on my wiki page. The best part of this whole wiki educational experience was probably seeing real life examples of wikis in the classroom and reading suggestions of how they can be used in all types of classrooms. Now that I think about it, I remember using wikis to solve group homework problems in a Geometry class last semester at UT. Thinking about applications to my own classroom however, I like the idea of giving students a place to post notes and topics for reviews and text prep. I think giving students the opportunity to collaborate together and 'talk' through the material, even if it is just to outline important topics, would be a fantastic way to encourage students to continually be reviewing what they are learning. Also, outside of my specific math classroom, I REALLY like the use of wikis as an orientation for new students into the high school setting - in which case upperclassmen would collaborate to create the wiki. Overall, I think wikis could end up being very beneficial in encouraging collaborative learning in the classroom.

Course Expectations

Honestly, I'm pretty excited about this course. I don't think of myself as a tech whiz me any means, but I love to figure out new technology and experiment with different bells and whistles! I'm also encouraged by the syllabus, since there are a number of projects listed for this course. I really feel that projects allow for more flexibility to express my thoughts and ideas, without feeling bogged down by strict step-by-step guidelines. Since technology is going to help me in me as an educator, however, I can't wait to get my hands dirty and start seeing the ways these different methods can be applicable to my classroom.

Just a bit about me...

Well, I’m Colleen Williams, but in UT's system I'm Amy Barnett. Just to explain, Colleen is my middle name, and I recently got married so my new last name is Williams. Confusing, yes, but what's a girl to do?! I was born in Maryville have lived in the Maryville/Alcoa/Knoxville area my whole life. I went to Alcoa High School, graduated in 2007, and then started directly at UT. After this semester, I will have completed my undergraduate with a BS in Mathematics and a minor in Secondary Education.

Early in my life I developed an interest in teaching. During high school, I often tutored my peers in various math classes. Through these experiences, I became aware of how differently people learn and conceptualize mathematical ideas. Even from my past two years of experience at the tutoring center, I continue to explore the number of ways to present overarching concepts to students, that they may best understand and connect these ideas to previous knowledge. And although I’m excited to get started in the classroom, I don’t know where I’m interning yet or even where my field experience will be, but I’m sure there will be a lot to learn from any placement!