The Web: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

I mentioned in my last post about using Google’s Tips and Tricks. In the article ““A Google A Day” Turns Search Into Play“, it makes a valid point. “Many of us (myself included) haven’t been taught the proper use of search engines; we’ve just figured them out as we’ve used them.” I only discovered some of the tips and tricks after realizing that my students have no clue how to navigate. We have use “A Google A Day” a few times in my class, but students still won’t use the tips I have attempted to teach them. Habits are difficult to change. Still, it is a lot of fun.

“Why It’s Important To Take Risks While Learning” might be one of my favorite infographs. I am constantly telling my students to take educational risks and try something new. It’s definitely a staple for my 20% Time in my classroom. This is my first year setting aside time for them to learn something they have always wanted to do. I have made adjustments as needed throughout the year. The second semester was way better than the first. Honestly, I was fumbling trying to get it started. Still, I have students who say that they just want me to chose or what’s the easiest thing I can do. Majority of them took it and ran a marathon. We have our last class on it this week. Can’t wait to see what they start doing for their TED style talk. Without the resources I found online, I wouldn’t have ever felt comfortable trying this. Revamping it and pushing through the tough and bumpy moments.

“The Myths of Technology Series: “Technology Dehumanizes” completely validates the importance of using social media. Using technology can be a great tool. It does, however, require active participation. One of the example the author mentions is the comparison for a handwritten card. He shows a video of his dad that captures all his emotions. That is the beauty in technology. But it requires the human behind the screen to participate and not just in a passive, viewing way.

Technology and the web have so much information about anything one would want to find. The key is participation and knowing how to navigate. Just like driving. One can’t sit in the driver’s seat, never turn the ignition, and expect to get anywhere. Once you have mastered getting the car moving, there needs to be a destination involved.