What do you think?

Ok, back to filamentality. I put together a quick example to experience the step-by-step process of building a webpage using this tool. From what I've found so far, there are different levels of using this tool, from the most basic form (hotlist) to something more advanced (WebQuest).

I created a hotlist page on the topic: plant growth. Filamentality guided me through the process of setting up a title, brief description, along with suggested links that relate to the topic. The end result was a "no-frills" page that listed websites (I listed about three, though there was an opportunity to post more) for students to visit - in a fairly organized way.

My opinion of this tool up to this point fluctuates. For instance, filamentality stores your created webpages at no fee to the user, which is great for teachers. However, the webpage created looks like nothing more than something that you can create in Microsoft Word, but at least in Word you can add graphics and images. However, it's easier for students to access something on the web, versus as a saved Word document. So my problem with filamentality so far is that aesthetically...it's unappealing to look at. I can't upload pictures and create different fonts, etc. Therefore, it will be difficult to attract the interest of students.

For now, check out my "hotlist" filamentality example. Next week, I hope to explore the next level that perhaps will enable to creator to do more. Oh, and like I mentioned above, you can add more links and resources, but I did the minimum for the sake of an example.

http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listgrowingkl.html

Kate

Let's Explore Games...

When we think about games in our culture we understand them to be about violence and other factors which can be disturbing to young children. In fact, there have been several prominent studies conducted in the last few years which directly speak to this issue. One piece of literature in particular to consider, written by Douglas Gentile and Craig Anderson called "Violent Video Games: The Newest Media Violence Hazard", speaks fairly clearly to the fact that video games can lead to negative behavior in younger children. Click here to see the full text.

Clearly these types of games can have negative repercussions in children, but these aspects simply reflect the corporate choice to make products which sell themselves through explicit violence and sexuality. It must be understood, though, that there are other alternatives and these can be explored.

If we consider games, removed from their potentially violent theme or content, and focus simply on their interactive and tactile systems we see that they can be used to teach an amazing variety of topics. Games build skills in several areas including three dimensional thinking, perception, individual problem solving, team based problem solving, and help students become comfortable with computer and network technologies. In addition, it's very possible that multiplayer online games using virtual worlds allow children who otherwise would feel marginalized for their potential short comings (being too smart, too short,or too shy) to join and interact in a positive manner in a virtual community. One good example of a video game with direct and positive impact on students today is a game by Will Wright, the creator of SimCity called "Spore", which allows players to trace the evolution of an organism from the micro to the macro scale. As a teaching tool, it provides an exceptional opportunity for scientific learning in an engaging manner. Click here to see a YouTube video by the creators of Spore.

In the end, it's the choice of the teacher and the school to tailor the content given to the students. By allowing access to video games but somewhat controlling the specific content, it's possible to have the best of both worlds. As an educator (either a teacher or a librarian), what are your thoughts?

Filamentality fundamentals...

In my next post, I'm going to take the plunge and use Filamentality to create a web-based learning activity of my own. For now, however, we need to take a closer look at the fundamentals of filamentality.

For starters...how did the name filamentality come about? According to the AT&T Knowledge Network website, filamentality "combines the 'filaments of the web' with your 'mentality' allowing you to create a variety of formats that meet your personal or learner needs."

The benefit of using this tool is that each teacher can customize the web-based page to a particular subject area and easily manipulate the page to cater to different learning needs. The filamentlity tool facilitates the setup of the page, along with the online resources that accompany the topic.

For a full description of filamentality, click here.
To check out another sample of a web-based page using the filamentality tool, click here.

A topic to investigate in a later blog: the significance of maintaining active links when creating a web-based page for student learning.

References: The above information (links) and image came from AT&T Knowledge Ventures

Thoughts on Social Bookmarking Systems...

I was glad that this week's lecture came along and I wanted to comment on the benefits of tagging in an educational setting.

Allow me to first digress...I've been meaning to set up an account with del.icio.us for a while now. As touched upon in the lecture with regard to using multiple computers, this is one of my biggest downfalls. I regularly work on four laptops - two at home and two at work (don't ask why...they all serve different purposes) - and my current bookmarks are obviously scattered all over. I figured that del.icio.us would be the key to some sort of organization with my bookmarks, which are a mess. I don't even organize my bookmarks in folders! This week I will make it a point to change all of this.

Now, in regard to education...there are quite a few benefits of social bookmarking in an educational setting. Let's take del.icio.us - rather than students blindly surfing the internet for specific websites, they can tag what is relevant and share that information with other students- all of which is helpful in, for instance, group projects. This is even more pertinent for students working and collaborating in a distance program (i.e. Syracuse!). As another example, flickr is a social bookmarking tool that helps to organize pictures. Students can easily tag an item and that facilitates in the retrieval process. And...as more research projects require a visual aspect, flickr is extremely relevant for students to use.

Social bookmarking systems are often criticized because they are not exact, consistent etc., but I don't think that their benefits should be dismissed. I think that there is time to fine-tune these systems and they will continue to aid in the storing and retrieval of information.

Butterfly Sample Using Filamentality

This may help shed some light...

This sample is from an individual who created a web page on the life cycle of a butterfly.

Note that it was created using the filamentality tool.

I'm wondering if the web pages can be made to be more "visually appealing"? I'll explore more.

Introduction to Filamentality

FILAMENTALITY

The first time that I saw the word, I figured that there must be some sort of spelling mistake. But then I saw my second topic and thought the same. So I've concluded that both of my topics must be some new technology terms, which are obviously new to me and perhaps new to you as well.

Click here to read about filamentality. The definition is written in a very informal way, which is good because we may be on unfamiliar grounds, so to speak.

Essentially, filamentality is a tool that allows you to basically create web pages without even knowing HTML (this is great for any teachers who are reluctant about using technology in the classroom). In addition, it leads you through the process of setting up your web page, it helps you to gather resources and links, and in the end - you've created a web page that your students can learn from.

Sound too good to be true? Hmmm...at some point, I'll have to try this personally.

...Ok, on a side note, we all know to use this source with caution...but I was surprised to find that filamentality wasn't in wikipedia...

Credits: The above link came from an AT&T Education website:http://www.kn.pacbell.com/

Why get started now?

For an assignment, why else?

I am a graduate student from Syracuse University just about halfway through my library science degree...and as my profile mentions, also a teacher at an elementary school in Brooklyn, NY. That could be an entirely separate blog in it of itself!

This blog will have in a sense a fair amount of direction. Though under normal circumstances I could see myself blogging about a number of related - and unrelated - issues, I have two very specific topics that I must discuss throughout this semester.

1. Filamentality
2. Geocaching

Hear of either term? I have not. Luckily "comments" will be enabled...hee hee...

So aside from the above, I may also comment from time to time about course-related discussions, readings, assignments, and/or activities.

~Enjoy~

Kate