Week Five homework
                    ' NCTE Position Statement on Machine Scoring”

       "NCTE Position Statement on Machine Scoring” discussed computers scoring a person’s paper. The article explained that having computers grade papers in not an authentic assessment. Under normal situations, the computer is not grading on the writing process, the steps that goes into writing.
Furthermore, students are being tested in an unnatural environment and because teachers are held accountable for the tests, teachers are starting to teach to the test.
The article discussed the negative side of having a computer grade papers:
• Can’t understand logic
• It grades by counting words?
• Student have to respond to a computer generated prompt.
• Mostly grades the objective (grammar, etc) teachers these days emphasize content.
• It discriminates against students who are less knowledgeable of technology.
• The purpose of writing is to create human interaction
The article mentioned some alternatives. Portfolio assessment was one of these alternatives. The VBCPS requires a portfolio. The goal is to have the students transfer his or her portfolio from one grade to the next, thus, showing growth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo5QblSn4gc

The above llink shows a person giving all the reasons why professors shouldn't use computers to grade essays.

“A Pedagogy of Resistance Tow ard Plagiarism Detection Technologies”

Stephanie Vie’s article, “A Pedagogy of Resistance Toward Plagiarism Detection Technologies” discussed the use of Plagiarism detection devices and from the beginning, the author seems to oppose it.

    The article began by giving the reasons why teachers want to use plagiarism detection devices. First and foremost, it saves time. It takes a lot of time google searching. When I worked for TCC, we used SafeAssign. It was a program that allowed the teacher to upload a paper, and it would tell how much was taken from the internet. We were encouraged to use it. Nevertheless, I found it easier to do a Google search. First, I knew the students’ writing enough that I would know if there was a change in the writing style. Then, I would do a Google search. It was a lot quicker.
     The article implied that using Plagiarism devices will cause a stigma within the class environment. It gave a “guilty before proven innocent” mentality. I don’t know if I agree with this. Using a Plagiarism device, in my mind, I would only be used if I suspected it. Unless it was a requirement by the educational institution, I wouldn’t use the device unless I suspected it first.

http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2008/10/03/professors-use-technology-to-fight-student-cheating

The article above discusses the pros and cons of using plagiarism detection devices.

      The article pointed out that the use of Plagiarism Detection device may impede students’ progress. For example, students may stay away from using a lot of sources in their work, thus impeding the learning process.
     The article discussed how Plagiarism Detection devices may be a way to discuss plagiarism and the importance of using multiple means of research, instead of just the internet.
The article emphasized that when instructors are forced to us Plagiarism detection device, they should use it as a tool, a tool that would become a learning experience for the student, thus providing comradery instead of adversary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ765INBO7Q

The YouTube presentation above is against using plagiarism detection devices.

“Anxiety and the Archive: Understanding Plagiarism Detection”
James P. Purdy’s article, “Anxiety and the Archive: Understanding Plagiarism Detection
Services as Digital Archives,” discussed people anxiety towards Plagiarism Detection. First, it discussed how people are already nervous about writing.
   There is a lot of debate with regards to how Turnitin is able to archive all the papers. They stated that they have a right to archive. I have to agree with them because if you put your papers on the internet, they become part of cyberspace. They believe they are promoting the “democracy interest in education.” They also believe that they are in the boundaries of “fair use” because they are only showing a portion of the papers.
   There is some scrutiny between who are archived. According to the article, business article are not archived; however, students are. The article points out that the company is having a different standards.
    They believe that the Plagiarism detection device saves time and prevents plagiarism. There rational is the length of time spent trying to find students who have plagiarized. I don’t find this to be completely true. I usually know my students’ writing enough that I don’t have to check every paper for plagiarism. Also, the article stated that it prevents plagiarism. Students will think twice about plagiarizing when they know their paper is going to be checked.

3D Game Lab

   The 3D Game Lab is a web site devoted to promoting Open Sources in education. It give several reasons, but it also discusses the legality with regards to “open sources.” It all gives several site to web conferences that one can join. Furthermore, it gives a forum where people may express their concerns. I’m very interested in exploring it further. I would like to know how to use it in my classroom.
New Learning

   Scratch is a programming language that is easy to use. This was the first that I used it. It can be used to make interactive games and stories. The good thing is that it’s free from the Michigan Institute of Technology. Make sure you press the flag to begin the program.
http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/27100790/

1. Week 5: Sept. 22-28