MySpace+with+Word+&+Wikispaces

Presenter: Steve Richards Time: 11:30 - 12:15 Room: Media Center 1 Contact: richards@sgasd.org

Description of Presentation: The people were real, the events were real, and now the technology is real. Cloning the popular social networking sites, myspace and facebook, students have been able to "live" and recreate the lives of individuals that impacted antebellum America. Students have the opportunity to research historical figures, network them together, and bring important 19th century Americans into the 21st century. Also, students are permitted to give a 21st century spin on historical figures: movies, music, and entertainment. I look forward to sharing this opportunity with you! Here we do: http://yomrrichards.wikispaces.com/



Blogger: Jimbo Lamb

Begins by talking about MySpace and facebook, and some perceptions older people may have. Students ask, "Why is it blocked?" Often times, it is not educational, but there are also dangers that go along with these social networking sites (Side note: Shouldn't we be educating our students about the dangers of lurkers on social networking sites? What about things they really just should not be posting on the web? What are the possible consequences?)

The idea behind the project is to make a site for historical figures that would reflect what you would see from this person if they were alive today. Who would they "friend" on the site? What are their interests? Steve has a template for the students to work from (not sure if it is on the wiki, it is private). The second template page continues the site showing personal details and comments from friends. This extends the research a student must do as they should know things about their person's "friends."

When doing research, there is talk about how to verify information. Steer students away from wikipedia and talk about how to verify what they have found.