EDUC 422 Blog 7

The article that we read for this week was about the use of the Internet as an important resource, not only for teachers, but also for students. The article brought back memories of a past assignment completed within this class where we learned more about how to properly use the Yahoo search engine. The article touched on two important points in knowing how to use search engines. First, (this not only pertains to students, but great for everyone to know when using a search engine), we must choose our search engine wisely. Until this article, I had no idea that different search engines revealed different results. Prior to reading this article, I thought I should choose a search engine based on its visual appearance and how I preferred to view information. Secondly, the article mentioned how the students also need to know how to construct a search statement properly. This resembled the "4 Nets for Better Searching" assignment as I had mentioned above. That assignment had taught me more about how the search engine "reads" what I type in each box and what kind of results I should be expecting. The article touched on the Internet Directories which are maintained by universities and libraries and often known as having high quality when it comes to evaluating them. The Internet Directories located on the Cal State San Marcos Library Website have recently been very valuable because I am currently in the process of completing a research paper for one of my other classes. Lastly the article also mentioned the importance of checking out the site's sponsors to find out where this information has come from and whether who is being referenced is credible or not. In the end the article was very informative revealing the Internet as a valuable tool, but only if it is being used properly.

EDUC 422 Blog #6

As a teacher, this site would be very useful in the sense that it directs you to other links that offer information about technology resources as well as ratings as to how they are expected to perform (or maybe not perform) in the classroom. The links offer information such as whether it is easy to use, designed for child use, and both educational and entertaining. As a teacher, especially one who is not so familiar with technology use, this site is very beneficial. There was one link that even listed questions that the district and also teachers would have when considering a specific technology program in the classroom, which is also great for those teachers who don't even know where to start! I would definitely use the links on this site in order to help in choosing the technology programs that I would use in my classroom. Often when buying a program (without already talking to someone who has used it or reading any reviews about it), there is a 50/50 chance that the material will be of proper use in your classroom. Having a subscription to one of the websites with those technology reviews eliminates the problem right there. Therefore it is more guaranteed that the money spent will be put to a good cause as compared to a gamble. Knowing that teachers are given very little money to spend on classroom supplies it is only logical that teachers subscribe to these technology resources.