Ferrell, K. (2011). Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus. Leading and Learning, 39(1), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Learning_Connections_Find_the_truth_about_the_Pacific_tree_octopus.aspx
Keith Ferrell is a Technology Integration Specialist in the Singapore American School. He was teaching a lesson to fourth grade students on Internet research. They were given two topics to choose from and had to use the given key phrases ("The Tree Octopus" or "All about Explorers"). As the students got right to work, writing down facts and sharing they began to notice some discrepancies with the facts. For example, Christopher Columbus was born in 1951, in Australia or Bill Gates financed Magellan's trip to the Spice Islands.
The students were so surprised that everything on the Internet was not factual. Ferrell stated that this lesson had left a long lasting impression on the children. Which led to further discussion on how to look for specific web sites like .org or .ed. Also how to cross reference and check sources.
Question 1: Do we need to teach about validity of sources?
This is such an interesting and very important lesson to teach young people about Internet validity. I know I even catch myself "believing" everything I read sometimes. We must teach our students that just because it is in print (on the internet), doesn't make it "Truth." I thought it was very clever that according to Ferrell, some educators had created "bogus" sites to prove this lesson.
Question 2: Will I use similar exercises in my classroom?
I will research things like this further and use similar activities to teach students how to use the Internet to its fullest potential and accurately. Ferrell did a great job at incorporating a great lesson while leaving a lasting impression.
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