Researching topics and information has never been something that I would consider a problem for me. Throughout the years I have always found myself relying on Google as my primary search engine. Even though I was always advised to use ERIC and academic search engines, I would still refer back to Google. I felt as though I would always find what I needed on Google so this assignment immediately caught my interest. I was very excited about this assignment because I looked at it as a way to determine if many of my researching strategies and sources were valid. However, after beginning and completing this assignment I realized that there are a variety of resources and research tools that I didn’t even know existed.
The websites that were provided in the book were amazing. It is important as teachers to integrate technology into the classroom. These websites are a way to help guide teachers in the process of making this possible. I also like the fact that these websites are reviewed by experienced educators which help to ensure the content and links are appropriate for the students.
Ask for Kids was the first site that looked at and I was immediately impressed. This site provides teachers and students with an array of different educational websites, movies, games, images, and answers. Many of the educational sites that ask kids were providing, are the same sites that I use in the classroom. Brainpop was an educational site for games that was provided on the ask kids site. I use brainpop as an extra review to help reinforce information to my students. Another website that I visited was Google for Educators. This was a website that I never knew existed. While exploring the site I like the way it provides you with the opportunity to search books, provided classroom activities, and provided classroom poster. These are all tools that are beneficial and of great importance to teachers.
As I searched through the Department of Education for Florida I saw it offered information on data and statistics, public schools and districts, and early learning. These are positive bits of information that will help parents. The only thing that I feel would have enhanced the website is to provide learning tools, applications, and websites to help with students’ academic success. I also looked at the Seminole County Public Schools (spcs) websites. On this site I was provided with the opportunity to access different schools web pages. Through the schools web pages I accessed teachers’ websites. I believe this shows how technology is becoming more and more important in the school system.
This assignment opened my eyes to a whole different world of researching. I definitely learned a lot of useful information and academic resources by completing this assignment. These are many websites that I will use with my students in the classroom as well as recommend for them to use at home.
I can really relate to your statement, “I would still refer back to Google. I felt as though I would always find what I needed on Google” I use Google to search for practically everything. It is my comfort zone. And over the years, I’ve watched how Google itself has improved its searches and provided me with better results. We can only hope that this innovation continues and starts to provide some validation.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad to know that I’m not the only person who didn’t know about Google for Educators. “Another website that I visited was Google for Educators. This was a website that I never knew existed.” I found this site to be a great resource for teachers. I especial likes the Google for Educators discussion board, where you can collaborate with other teachers around the world.
GMontcrieff
I can really appreciate your Google addiction. I too am drawn to Google. It's my home page on my computer. I use Google for email. My Internet world revolves around Google. After enrolling in school, again, I have been introduced to many new ways to do research and find information on the web. My biggest concern, and it may be unfounded, is that I have heard in order for a website to be at the top of your search on Google, you can pay for a ranking. That concerns me a bit when it comes to the validity and reliability of websites. I suppose, much like wikkipedia, you must research your research.
ReplyDeleteEmilie Zayas (Mimi)
I found the same thing with the Florida website. I thought it had some good information for parents and students, but I thought it could offer more for teachers. They gave good information about the standards, but nothing that I could really click on, and then use immediately in the classroom. I thought they might have some resources like videos or lesson plans.
ReplyDeleteI am also a big google fan, and thought these other websites were helpful. I have also noticed that when I google a phrase, some of these websites automatically come up all the time. While doing this project, I don't think some of these websites helped me any more than google does. While some are better for specific needs, did you find any websites that stood out to you more than using google?
Megan H
I could not agree with your statement more - "I have always found myself relying on Google as my primary search engine." I, too, have always relied on Google. It is what I go to for everything. I had never searched through Google for Educator and was pleasantly surprised by its content. It really is amazing how many great websites there are. The Florida DOE website does lack in education tools. I felt that it came up short on the student links. It would be nice if they would feature links to activities to help both students and teachers learn new skills, or even just practice those we already have.
ReplyDeleteLori D.