Words cannot express my shock and pleasure at finding www.freshfacs.com/links.htm; and the amazement doesn’t stop there!!! While there are countless on-line depositories intended for teachers, the options become limited as the scope narrows to subjects related to Family and Consumer Sciences. Freshfacs.com has been designed exclusively for FACS teachers. In fact, a list of FACS related websites is just one aspect of this site designed by a former FACS teacher.
As if all this isn’t enough to froth my broth....I was absolutely elated as I worked my way through link after link; never once arriving at a dead end. Never! Not once!!!!! Dozens of Websites, ready and waiting for me! Every single site, content specific to my areas of interest; nutrition, sewing, consumerism, kitchen safety and sanitation, food preparation, environmental awareness and more!!! The key to the success of this depository is the fact that it has been created for FACS teachers by FACS teachers. It is very obvious that the whole site is well maintained and that the resources listed (whether on-line or otherwise) are current and have been carefully previewed.
If I had to name one grievance with this depository, it would be that a number of the sites are commercial websites. In other words, sites that are owned by companies or organizations such as Dole, Lipton Tea and Starbucks, or the Farm Bureau of America and the US Dept. of Agriculture. While these sites do in fact contain related information, I question the reliability of the information and whether or not it is biased. For example, I personally believe that one can maintain a healthy, balanced diet without ever consuming a single ounce of (cow’s) milk. I believe further, that I could find substantial, scientific research to support this belief (on other web sites of course). You would never believe it, however, based on claims made by the Farm Bureau of America.
While having a long list of active web resources at one’s fingertips is certainly useful, it is important to realize that it is still necessary to take the time to explore and evaluate each site for its potential and limitations. thanks to freshfacs.com....I'm actually looking forward to the task!
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ReplyDeleteGlad you found this. Perhaps you could use the corporate sites as a way to teach your students about being wise consumers of web-based information.
ReplyDeleteDid you just stumble upon this site? That is awesome that you have a reliable place to go or have your students go. As for the sites being bias, I really think that most subjects today are biased. They have groups of people, from who knows what background, that are creating textbooks and websites. There is bound to be bias where money is involved. Do you use the internet a lot with your students? I also agree with what Craig posted, that it would be a great idea to teach them about bias and being wise consumers, chances are you may be the only one in their lives that have and will teach them.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how we just find these fabulous resources when we are sometimes not even looking? I spent some time looking at the site and found it to contain a wealth of information on important topics of today. So much of what we find is old or outdated so, while many of the sites are commercial in nature, it is refreshing to find a place that is linked to current topics. I agree with both Craig and Krista that this site would be a great way to teach students to analyze the information obtained on the web instead of just taking for granted that it must be true.
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated by the fact that people, myself included, are so excited when we find a list of Internet resources that are helpful and links that actually work. Isn’t that ironic? The World Wide Web is supposed to be a tool to be used to find reliable resources. The reality is that this is not the case. The Internet has become flooded with resources that are not reliable and links that are not active. How could we have let this happen? My guess is that we have become complacent. If we allow this to continue, soon we won’t be using the Internet and there will be so many dead links out there no one will even try to use them. I think we should start a campaign to make the Internet more reliable and hold the owners of websites accountable for reliability and accuracy. Does this mean we need the Internet police? Perhaps it is a good idea in the name of information literacy!
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