Web Browsing

This week in class we took a look at different search engines, the seven stupid search mistakes, and 20 different facts about web browsers and the Internet.  I'd have to say that all of this intrigued me.  Of course I knew that other search engines existed, but never took the plunge to explore them outside of Google and Yahoo!.  I even tell my students that Google is the one to use because it has all the answers!  Now, obviously that is not true, but Google is such a commonality in our everyday lives.  I explored with Exalead, another search engine, and though I won't be switching anytime soon, I feel that it is beneficial in searching.  When doing a simple search for dogs I got 70 million results on Exalead and 170 million on Google.  A HUGE difference in results on both ends, but depending on your end result, you might prefer one over the other.

The one thing that I truly enjoyed was reading 20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web.  Though I knew some of the 20 Things, but not exactly how they affected our daily use.  The one thing that sticks out the most is how "old" browsers or not updating makes your old one vulnerable to attacks, slows down the innovation of the web and is keeping you from awesome new applications that are out there.  I'm usually very good about updating my browser, but it's not something that I do as soon as a new update is available.  That goes back to the old saying, "if it's not broke, don't fix it."

All in all, the tools that I've been exposed to in the last few class periods and the new knowledge about search engines and web browsers seem to be expanding my horizons in teaching.  I recently suggested the use of typewith.me to our IT person in the hopes that we can find enough use in it that the district will unblock the site.  I've been pushing for Google Docs, but feel there are too many people "against" it at this point.  I'm excited to see what will discover with the world of spreadsheets next week.  They are definitely something that I find extremely useful.

Using Productivity Tools

As we start a new class, I can't help but wonder how all this information will continue to enhance my teaching.  Technology is constantly evolving and sometimes it's hard to keep up with it.  There are so many things going on around us that sometimes it seems to much.

I agree with the text when it says that there is no perfect way to teach.  I also believe that sometimes technology isn't meant for every lesson.  At times, I feel that information can better be conveyed without the use of technology.

In this course, I hope to learn more free tools that I can take back to my school and my classroom.  All the tools that we continue to learn have opened my eyes as to how I can enhance my teaching and also help my fellow coworkers enhance their lessons.