Authenticity Isn't Always Easy to Find

The first few group assignments that we completed in class were all meant to teach us how to search and use online resources in a responsible way.  Ever since Middle School, teachers have told us that finding a good source for research online can be difficult, but must be done.  These three small activities taught us the importance of a reliable website to use when finding information.  First, we did a Google a Day, then we defined Accuracy, Authenticity, and Reliability, and then we went to the ambiguous cite about the infamous Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus.

                A Google a Day is an activity created by the company Google where they post a sets of questions that you are challenged to answer.   We answered three in class.  Google provides a research engine that you have to use to answer the questions, if you don’t know the answer.  Most questions are asking about something that you have never heard of, but sometimes you recognize something mentioned in the questions which can play to your advantage.  I thought that it was fun rummaging through websites as fast as we could trying to find the answer because it made finding an answer to a seemingly impossible question, in a brutally hot classroom, almost fun.  I found it very frustrating when we thought that we had found the correct answer, when in fact, it was incorrect and we had to start our search all over again.  I didn't know that Google had this program before or that Lily Collins was in The Blind Side, which I thought was a great movie.

  

Popsugar. “Do You Like Google’s Themed Logos?”  Picture image.  http://www.popsugar.com/tech/Do-You-Like-Google-Themed-Logos-3085353.  9/3/14.

                Today in class we were asked to define accuracy, authenticity, and reliability.  In my group we defined accuracy as being correct and true, authenticity as real and not copied, and reliability as dependable.  All three of these terms are very important when determining if a website is good or not to use when you are researching a topic.  If a website is accurate, authentic, and reliable, then it is the perfect source to use.  After talking about what makes up a good source, we then went to a website that is not trustworthy.  This website is about the Pacific NorthwestTree Octopus, and although the website seems credible and authentic and filled with detailed, it has completely false information.  The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus is a completely made up creature.  Since this website is false and therefore not reliable, it could not be used as a source in school.

Own Your Education

There are many qualities that make a teacher fantastic.  Some general qualities are patience, understanding, being accessible for questions outside of school, being approachable, and focused on teaching instead of getting off track.  In the past years, I have had both good and bad teachers.  My two favorite teachers that I have had, who both happen to be English teachers, are Mrs. Kalmakis from 6^th grade and Mr. Olivo from 8^th grade.  I really enjoyed Mrs. Kalmakis’s class because she created interesting assignments and lead great discussions about books that we were reading.  I liked Mr. Olivo because he also lead fantastic discussions and made fun assignments for us to do, but he also listened to your questions and did anything he could to answer them clearly.  I think if you, Mrs. Gallagher, follow along these guidelines, you will be a great teacher and make this year a terrific learning experience for all of us.  I can’t wait to use technology every day and get better equipped at it!

                                                               

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/abundance-of-katherines-john-green/1100361618?ean=9780142410707  

After watching John Green’s very inspirational video, An Open Letter to Students Returning to School, about how it is your duty to use your education to do great things for yourself and the world, I was truly inspired.  I completely agreed with all the points he made in his video.  It is each and every student’s duty to ask themselves, “Do I want to work hard and achieve great things?”  And if a student answers yes to that question, then they need to put in the time and effort into school and appreciate what they have at their fingertips and use it.  John Green’s video inspired me to look at each subject and point out all the interesting things I will learn in that subject.  This makes the subject more exciting.  For example, today in chemistry class, my teacher put rubbing alcohol on her lab table and then lit the liquid on fire.  I thought that what happened was so fascinating and the fact that we are going to do experiments like that in the future now makes me even more excited to come to class every day.  My academic goals for this year are to study harder for the subjects that I struggle in, Honors Chemistry and Honors Algebra 2, and work very hard to hopefully win the Century Award again like I did last year.  I also want to take chances with my writing, in all subjects, in hopes of stepping outside of the box to make all of my assignments more original.  I also hope to become a better tennis player and dancer.  In addition, I want to restart piano lessons and advance to high levels.  I am going to reach these goals with the same mindset; if I really want to achieve, I have to be willing to try my hardest and if I really am determined, I will accomplish all these goals.  An Abundance of Katherines is my favorite book my John Green, and is one of the many books that inspires me to become a writer.  In the long run, I hope my new fond determination will allow me to reach my greatest goal someday; to become a writer like John Green, and maybe someday even write my own novel.