Social network, information reliability and internet discussion

Social networks are becoming a great advatntage, and also a great risk. Are we able to recognise and eliminate the risks? Or do we follow the pattern and believe everything we read, without a hint of criticism?

Why people love to (consciously) share hoaxes?
What can we learn about our society and ourselves form the discussions below various articles?


1. Read the following articles. Can you identify the mistakes that almost caused stock disaster?
White House explosion? 
Reuters

2. Read the following article and consider.
A    Which pieces of information are confirmed, reliable facts? Which are hearsay and which are just guesses?   Make three columns on a piece of paper and put down notes.
B     Read the discussion below the article. Write your own reaction and insert it into the comment TO THIS BLOG (not to idnes.cz)!! Follow the rules of netiquette and above all, do not use flames. Do not behave like an internet troll!


In reference to your reactions, here is a link to a similar case. The full-story-covering articles are available below this one.



The pen is mightier than the sword. 
Never forget about it.

Project tips and checklist

Have you finished your credit project?

Look at the recently passed projects:
http://www.kvycpalkova.webzdarma.cz/potatoes.html
http://www.allthatmatters.wz.cz/Timetostudy.html

Tips:
1. Gallery and audio

• the object of the photo should cover most of the image (use crop if necessary)
• choose the best images you made - present yourself as a genial photograppher simply by dropping all less perfect images.
• prepare the text for audio in written form, to avoid mistakes and stress while recording

2. Avatar - do not forget about it! There should be someone welcoming the visitors in your page :)

3. HotPot - do not test geographical or historical knowledge. You can use e.g. texts with historical, geographical or other extralinguistitc content - in fact, you should do it - but in the exercises you will not ask for names and numbers, but wou will force your pupils to understand and produce the language, and above all, to think.

Examples (Multiple choice or open ended questions):

• inacceptable question: What is the maximum speed a cheetah can reach? (20-50-80-110km/h)
• acceptable question: What is the difference between a cheetah and a tiger? (Tigers live in India while cheetahs in Africa. Tiggers are bigger and stronger..... etc.)

More HP tips in the previous blog entries :)

... to be continued

Presenting and Referencing

1. Presenting
Can you present with Powerpoint?
An can you present WITHOUT it?
Sum up your opinion to Powerpoint into the comments to dhis blog.

Some links to improve your presentation skills:

http://gethelp.library.upenn.edu/workshops/biomed/ppt/dodont.html

http://www.trainsignal.com/blog/improve-your-powerpoint-presentation



Tired of Powerpoint? Try Prezi!
http://prezi.com/
Register and try to prepare a presentation on any (funny) topic. Publish the presentation at your website. 

2. References and bibliography - a hot tip
Do you know how to refer to the books you quote?


http://www.citace.com/
Register and explore!


3. How to make a gallery

1. prepare the photos in full resolution (save them separately as a backup!) and record the audiofiles.
Be careful about filnames and folders! Be systematic!
2. Create two sets of images: web version (1600 pt the longer side) and thumb (icon) version - cca 20-30Kb
3. Create a new html file, name it Gallery. Insert a table 3x4. Insert the icons into the cells.
Link each icon to the web versin of the same image.
Add audio to each image (e.g. "Click here to hear the comment" - link to the audio file.)