The Pacific Tree Octopus: An unusual creature facing the brink of extinction. This cephalopod boasts fascinating adaptations that allow it to live among the rainforests along the Olympic Peninsula. Its existence continues to baffle scientists and students, especially students unaware of the joke. Keith Ferrell challenges his students to investigate the Pacific Tree Octopus to teach his students how to discriminate and review sources. He reports the amusing learning process in "Find the Truth About the Pacific Tree Octopus". The students were assigned to research and report on two topics: "The Tree Octopus" and "All About Explorers". Students began to collect the first data they stumbled upon, usually through Google, without asking, "Does this make sense?" The result led to often humorous facts including "Marco Polo, Bill Gates, and Sam Walton helped finance Magellan's expedition to the Spice Islands" (Ferrell, 2011). After presenting this information to this class, the students began to realize the flaws found in their research. Ferrell used this opportunity to teach his students how to be critical thinkers. They were reminded to use the 5 W's (What, Who, When, Where, Why) to assess whether information was reputable or not.How can teachers use this lesson in their classroom?
There is no doubt that the internet holds a humongous bank of information. The trick, however, is learning how to navigate through it. Unlike libraries where books are generally reliable, the web does not necessarily filter out false information. Teachers can use this lesson to show students to be selective and analytical of the information they find.
How can we save the Tree Octopus from extinction?
Don't worry. They are in no immediate danger.
Ferrell, K. (2011). Find the truth about the pacific tree octopus. Learning & Leading with Technology, 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
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