Tuesday 17 January 2012

The search step...






At first, I have to point out that I could not wait for the second week to come. I have really missed my classmates and our course instructor, Janine Sepulveda.
When I opened my e-mail, I have found new assignments for the second week. The first assignment was to read about using new search engines. While I was reading the available material, I discovered many useful search engines which can be used for all academic levels. The first one was 'A9 Open Search'. The most fascinating thing about this web browser is that we can search inside the book. 
The next search engine I prefer is 'Twurdy', http://www.twurdy.com/search.php  . I like this web browser because it is on the academic level and it has got all specific information we need about teaching and learning. 
 Ask Kids is also an interesting search engine where many kids' movies can be found. In my opinion, learning of the second language can be improved by listening. So, this web browser will be advantageous for me and my students. One of search engines that attracted my attention is Intute’s  Arts and Humanities Hub where I also found amusing subjects about learning styles, the assessment of learning preferences, students’ self-evaluation of their responses.
I look forward to introduce all these search engines to my students and I think they will be able to use them. Students will also have the opportunity to enhance their IT literacy.

Today, the technology is a vital part of one’s life. We can communicate; we can teach and learn; we can visit far-away countries by utilizing the technology.
It is also important part in teaching and learning. In my opinion, we can make our teaching environment and students’ learning more effective and more motivated.


9 comments:

  1. Hello Rade good reflection, as we are in the same class I'd like to share my experience on our second week; too. It has been long hours in front of the screen trying to complete the readings. This week about web searching. I consider this is a good topic that helped me a lot to understand all the web searches we can use when we need to find information on the web. I like the possibilities that technology give us every day. Before I used to use only Google as a searcher but now, I know all the different searchers available and I will be able to choose and select the best search engine to work with. As you say technology is changing our life and we need to continue learning to be part of this change.
    Regards,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Vilmita,
      Thanks for your comment. I agree that it took many hours to sit in front of the screen and to read all available material. To tell the truth, I have to say that I was eager to read all about other search engines because I wanted to gain more knowledge. I also look forward to share these search engines with my students and with my colleagues, too.

      Kind regards...

      Delete
  2. Dear Rade,
    I do agree with your closing sentence -- we actually "can make our teaching environment and and students’ learning more effective and more motivated", especially in this overwhelming burst of information, yet for this we also will have to sacrifice lots of hours getting ready ourselves, so that we could teach the others. And it is really good when we are given recommendations and useful links instead of spending hours in search of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Lina,

      Thank you for your comment. I also agree with you that we have to sacrifice lots of hours getting ready. I think it is a good way because we can be always prepared well and it always good when we are given the recommendations for some useful links instead of spending hours in search of them.

      Everything the best...

      Delete
  3. Hello Rade :

    This is the first time I visit your blog and, first of all, I would like to congratulate you for it.It is very nice. I agree with you that, today, technology is a vital part of one's life and it has been great all this web search we have all done.I hope to know more about you online.

    Best regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Denise,
      Thank you for your comment and I am glad to have you in my class. This course is so fantastic and I have to admit that we have done many helpful and good threads. All these search engines are very useful.

      Best regards...

      Delete
  4. Hello Rade,
    I want to ask you something, how do you pronounce your name? Is it /ra:d/, /reid/ /ra:de/? Just wondering, because I feel that we are actually talking and I wouldn't like to mispronounce your name.By the way mine is /na:nðɔː/ I think that's the closest transcription in IPA(International Phonetic Alfhabet)
    Anyways, I agree with your reflection on week 2. Week 2 has been a wonderful learning experience.
    I couldn't wait for week 2 to come, and now I'm all excited about week 3.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Fernando,
      My name is pronounced /ra:de/. Thank you for your comment and Week 2 was so, so wonderful. We have gone through many web browsers which are very vital for us. I also couldn't wait for the second week and I look forward about Week 3.

      Everything the best...

      Delete