Comments on: The Best Sites For Learning About The Swine Flu Outbreak http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/ ...For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:30:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Swine Flu Resources | The Whiteboard Blog http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-6895 Swine Flu Resources | The Whiteboard Blog Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:14:07 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-6895 [...] For some more resources to teach about Swine Flu, check out this post on Free Technology for Teachers, and also this list on Larry Ferlazzo’s blog. [...] [...] For some more resources to teach about Swine Flu, check out this post on Free Technology for Teachers, and also this list on Larry Ferlazzo’s blog. [...]

]]> By: Ulrich Schrader http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-6441 Ulrich Schrader Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:11:46 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-6441 The most reliable source of information in the US is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They endorse the official website http://www.flu.gov, that covers about everything of interest to the public about the topic written in an understandable language. Newspaper sites and the like only offer second hand information and are thus prone to errors, rumors, and misunderstandings. The most reliable source of information in the US is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They endorse the official website http://www.flu.gov, that covers about everything of interest to the public about the topic written in an understandable language.

Newspaper sites and the like only offer second hand information and are thus prone to errors, rumors, and misunderstandings.

]]> By: LoAnn http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-4863 LoAnn Wed, 13 May 2009 15:09:42 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-4863 Mr. Ferlazzo, Thank you for posting these resources. As an excercise in health literacy, I selected one of your swine flu sites, the Nytimes “Lessons From A Past Pandemic” audio slideshow to analyze how usable it is on various literacy levels (http://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2006/03/27/science/20060328_FLU_FEATURE.html). Overall, this resource demands high levels of fundamental, scientific, cultural, and civic literacy. While my analysis is quite critical, I recognize that fact that the purpose of the slideshow is much more specific than the broader expectations of a health literacy advocate. On a fundamental level, the audience is required to read and comprehend advanced written and spoken English at the same time. The spoken language is quite rapid, and probably difficult for an English Language Learner to understand. The vocabulary is rich with scientific jargon as well. In order for the audience to gain any salient information, she or he must be fairly “science literate,” with a significant education in biology. The slideshow assumes that the audience understands the life cycle of a virus, the difference between a virus and bacteria, the scientific method of discovery, what DNA is and how it is replicated, and details about influenza subtypes (H1N1 is mentioned with no further explanation). From a cultural literacy perspective, in order to interpret the information provided, it is necessary that the individual recognizes the collective beliefs and customs held by the average citizen. A fundamental understanding of public health measures specific to infectious diseases and pandemic outbreaks will allow the individual to recognize the potential dangers of another outbreak and respond in an appropriate fashion. Because pandemics do not discriminate and have historically had significant impacts on many populations worldwide, it is likely that most people have been exposed to these concepts. Finally, the most salient civic literacy skill that is expected of the audience is the understanding that each individuals’ behaviors and choices affect others in a larger community and society. In this regard, the slideshow demands the audience to go a step beyond understanding the information to acting appropriately with behaviors that reduce the spread of germs. This message is more difficult to receive because it is never explicitly mentioned, but only indirectly implicated. My overall thought is that this is a very informative and dynamic resource only when directed towards an audience that functions at higher than average literacy levels, particularly in regards to science. Without significant education in specific biological and public health concepts, one would gain very little insight on the importance of the 1918 flu pandemic and its connection to the alarm regarding the swine flu. Mr. Ferlazzo,
Thank you for posting these resources. As an excercise in health literacy, I selected one of your swine flu sites, the Nytimes “Lessons From A Past Pandemic” audio slideshow to analyze how usable it is on various literacy levels (http://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2006/03/27/science/20060328_FLU_FEATURE.html).
Overall, this resource demands high levels of fundamental, scientific, cultural, and civic literacy. While my analysis is quite critical, I recognize that fact that the purpose of the slideshow is much more specific than the broader expectations of a health literacy advocate.
On a fundamental level, the audience is required to read and comprehend advanced written and spoken English at the same time. The spoken language is quite rapid, and probably difficult for an English Language Learner to understand. The vocabulary is rich with scientific jargon as well.
In order for the audience to gain any salient information, she or he must be fairly “science literate,” with a significant education in biology. The slideshow assumes that the audience understands the life cycle of a virus, the difference between a virus and bacteria, the scientific method of discovery, what DNA is and how it is replicated, and details about influenza subtypes (H1N1 is mentioned with no further explanation).
From a cultural literacy perspective, in order to interpret the information provided, it is necessary that the individual recognizes the collective beliefs and customs held by the average citizen. A fundamental understanding of public health measures specific to infectious diseases and pandemic outbreaks will allow the individual to recognize the potential dangers of another outbreak and respond in an appropriate fashion. Because pandemics do not discriminate and have historically had significant impacts on many populations worldwide, it is likely that most people have been exposed to these concepts.
Finally, the most salient civic literacy skill that is expected of the audience is the understanding that each individuals’ behaviors and choices affect others in a larger community and society. In this regard, the slideshow demands the audience to go a step beyond understanding the information to acting appropriately with behaviors that reduce the spread of germs. This message is more difficult to receive because it is never explicitly mentioned, but only indirectly implicated.
My overall thought is that this is a very informative and dynamic resource only when directed towards an audience that functions at higher than average literacy levels, particularly in regards to science. Without significant education in specific biological and public health concepts, one would gain very little insight on the importance of the 1918 flu pandemic and its connection to the alarm regarding the swine flu.

]]> By: Shamblesguru http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-4842 Shamblesguru Tue, 12 May 2009 04:41:43 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-4842 Larry Great selection of sites .... I've linked to your Blog post from my own Pandemics/Learning Resources list on Shambles <a href="http://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/medical/pandemics/" rel="nofollow"><b>www.shambles.net/pages/learning/medical/pandemics</b></a> Larry

Great selection of sites …. I’ve linked to your Blog post from my own Pandemics/Learning Resources list on Shambles

http://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/medical/pandemics

]]> By: Paul http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-4794 Paul Fri, 08 May 2009 13:19:28 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-4794 Dear Larry, Nice site you have. I've made some esl teaching resources related to the swine flu. It caters for younger learners, but also for a wide range of students. Could be useful for your readers. Again, good site! Yours sincerely Paul Forde Dear Larry,

Nice site you have. I’ve made some esl teaching resources related to the swine flu. It caters for younger learners, but also for a wide range of students. Could be useful for your readers.
Again, good site!

Yours sincerely
Paul Forde

]]> By: Rachel http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-4744 Rachel Mon, 04 May 2009 20:51:24 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-4744 Hi Larry, We have a free lesson on our site that, although not about swine flu specifically, is by a doctor about the spread of colds, flu, germ and disease. I thought it might be useful for some students or teachers. http://www.selfaccess.com/free_lesson.php Hi Larry,
We have a free lesson on our site that, although not about swine flu specifically, is by a doctor about the spread of colds, flu, germ and disease.
I thought it might be useful for some students or teachers.
http://www.selfaccess.com/free_lesson.php

]]> By: Northwest » Using Media to Spread Good Health Habits http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-4743 Northwest » Using Media to Spread Good Health Habits Mon, 04 May 2009 18:23:20 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-4743 [...] for a little more indepth look at the flu, here are some resources gathered by Larry Ferlazzo. Posted on May 4, 2009 in Uncategorized by Martha [...] [...] for a little more indepth look at the flu, here are some resources gathered by Larry Ferlazzo. Posted on May 4, 2009 in Uncategorized by Martha [...]

]]> By: Sara Crawford http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/04/25/the-best-sites-for-learning-about-the-swine-flu-outbreak/comment-page-1/#comment-4615 Sara Crawford Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:48:43 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3600#comment-4615 Thank you for this. I am traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico in June so any news I hear about Mexico makes me want to investigate it further. Thank you for this. I am traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico in June so any news I hear about Mexico makes me want to investigate it further.

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