Category: views

Lost in space

Posted by admin in views on 12 14th, 2007 | no responses

That is exactly how I feel sometimes when I start a search for information on the internet. I spend considerable time searching and reading online and one of the hardest things to do is to stay on track and focused. I consider myself as an experienced Internet traveller and I can get lost quickly so I know how frustrated newcomers must feel when tasked with developing an understanding of the Internet.

Here are two important tips to help you stay on task and find what you are looking for.

1. Write down your question and purpose before you start and keep it close beside you. Don’t laugh it works. It won’t take long before you are in Africa searching for lions when you simply wanted the directions to the Lion Safari amusement park.

2. Set the stove timer. Set it for 15 minutes. You’re laughing again right. I still remember the time I jumped in the car in my pj’s to pick up my children from school for lunch. It’s all consuming the Internet and if you aren’t disciplined you waste a lot of time surfing instead of achieving the goals you set out to accomplish.

Armed with that great advice you might like to try using NoodleTools to help you define your search and get the information that meets your search requirements.

Teach students responsible use of the Internet

Posted by admin in views on 11 21st, 2007 | no responses

One of the reservations teachers and school administrators have about students using the internet for classroom use centers around students acting irresponsibly, spreading rumours acting other students, teachers and principals in a way that is public and distributed freely and accessible. News reports tell stories of students using camera phones to post videos of teachers on YouTube. Chatting online, emailing and viciously targeting other students is a reality. The term cyberbulling has been coined. Societies worst traits are out there on the Internet and once published cannot be taken back. Children with all their technical savy are acting out online their lowest of lowest characters Read about it

Teaching students to be responsible takes a combined effort parents, teachers and community members. The classroom is a good place to start. In a classroom setting students publishing online puts a face on the author and creates an environment to discuss and model acceptable authoring. Consider setting up a protected online platform to facilitate this important skill. WordPress is a free open source blogging software that teachers can use to create a blogging classroom.