Google no more, say hello to other search engines!

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Searching on the Internet can be a difficult task for some especially when we can’t find what we hope to get. This must be a common phenomena for teachers around the world where we frequently need to work on projects for students and vary the types of exercises depending on our student’s needs. Realizing the source of availability the search engine iSEEK comes in handy where there are various lessons to choose from for lessons focusing on different styles specifically on Education.

Websearching before this used to be based on the most popular engines that I know such as Yahoo and Google [Read Search Engine Ranking]. As I widen my virtual circle of friends I found out BBC and IDEA search engines that I frequently use to gain videos and written materials for class. A few days ago, upon clicking the sites given by the instructors, to my surprise thanks to the Noodletools there were plenty more of search engines the web had to offer.

While trying the various search engines and reading the articles for Week 2, these are a few things that I’ve learnt:


 1. Be ready with several alternative search terms before searching.  Sometimes when searching we could not find the exact word that we are looking for. So before typing in the query we need think about the topic to ensure that the closest synonym /exact word in typed in the search box so that the results can be promising.

[Teachers need to teach students synonyms, group/families of words to widen their vocabulary when searching for information]


2.Usage of Boolean “” + - OR. To provide us with specific results pertaining our query which will indirectly save our time to go through the entries.

     [Teachers should introduce Boolean operators to beginners so that they practice quick searching techniques online]


3. Compare the list of entries.  When the entries are given, users must be able to choose a reliable fact which they can trust as a source for the information required as the sources from the Internet might be inaccurate/altered with.

[Teachers can teach the students on how to evaluate a text and measure reliability of data via comparison and differentiation of various search results

Aside from the list of search engines provided, I am eager to find out more search engines for shortvideos or listening exercises which can be downloaded. As teachers we often look for ideas to teach and lesson plans that we can adapt and adopt to what our class needs so I hope to find one so that I can play movies and videos in class easily to cater for auditory and visual learners.   

I also learnt about the ABCD Objectives for our lessons and by having that keeps us on track of the degree and the measurement procedures can be observed by the teacher. Both teachers and students can be aware of what they are learning about via this ABCD objectives.  The Bloom Taxanomy of measuring students and the text on Taxanomy for Technology shows that if we are trying to apply technology in learning both students and teachers must be able to understand about technology. “The teacher must stay abreast of the continual growth in emerging technologies and how these technologies will influence the classroom”.  So they must be on the same page and understand their objectives and what is at stake when learning.

[Here’s a site that I refer to for learning objectives: Learning Outcomes ]

I also tried to update some settings of my blog, read and commented some of my friend’s blog too for this week.  Unfortunately, ass I visited several pages I couldn’t link to 2 blogs maybe due to their privacy settings. : ( 

That’s all for Week 2, I’ll strive to contribute more in future discussions.

~Life and time are the world’s best teachers. Life teaches us to make good use of time and time teaches us the value of life.~

Bye,
Nur