Re: LM_NET Digest - 20 Mar 1998 - Special issue

[High Commander <sjp@eee.org>]

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> Subject: Helping kids past plagiarism
> Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 17:20:52 -0400
> From: Lynda Tempest <TEMPEST_L@POPMAIL.FIRN.EDU>
>
> Instead, be creative.  If you want them to be able to find
> short answers to certain questions, provide a worksheet-like form and then
> let them research and fill in the blanks.

I'm sorry, but THIS is CREATIVE?

> Then, require that the research
> information be used in a unique way, e.g.  if researching a president, have
> them do a video interview.  Or they could write a first person account of
> an important event in that person's life or perhaps a series of diary
> entries that might be written by that person.  If they have researched a
> state or country, they could use the facts they found to design and write a
> travel brochure.  I know it is easier to tell students to "write a report,"
> but some kids don't know what that means and then copy an encyclopedia out
> of desparation.  There are many, many ways to use and show information
> besides a "report."
>
> Some of our fifth graders just did the most incredible reports on
> presidents.  They used the chromokey function in our video studio to make
> it appear that they were in various rooms of the white house where they
> interviewed white house employees who were specialists about certain
> presidents.  They did research, found information and reported it back
> without copying.   Believe me, they did this with little or no help from
> me.  Kids are terribly bright and creative if they are allowed to be.  I
> know all people do not have these video capabilities, but I just use this
> as an example of an alternative to a written "report".
>
> Hyperstudio is another wonderful way to display and share research
> information.

Boy, you know I actually agree with most of this.  But my slant would be that we 
depend on the RP too much, not that these should replace it.

> I was a classroom teacher of fourth and fifth grade.  Now I am a Media
> Specialist.  If I ever go back into the classroom (at any grade level)

Here's where you completely lose me.  I can't believe this.  Do you intend for 
these kids to get into colleges/universities some day?  HOW???  Universities
out here have basically stopped testing in favor of assigning papers, even on the 
undergraduate level.  I know of no prof. who will accept a Hyperstudio
presentation in lieu of a final paper.

> I will never again require a written "report" that could be copied from
> reference materials.   It is a counterproductive and useless exercise.

You know, I sent a personal reply to the original poster instead of posting it.  
I'm rethinking that position.  For what it's worth, I still think the idea
of moderation in all things is valid.  I'll buy this approach down low, but by the 
time kids reach upper elem/middle, they should be getting their feet wet
with citations and research papers (and hs kids should be well-versed in 
multimedia).

sjp
   --
S. J. Peterson
Library/Media-Technical Support Coordinator (and former English teacher)
E. M. Cope Middle School
1000 W. Cypress Avenue
Redlands, CA 92373
909 307 5420 x 344
sjp@eee.org (home) or steve_peterson@redlands.k12.ca.us (work)

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