Internet and web searching has changed a lot since I was first online with Archie, Veronica and Jughead. Usenet was also a very valuable tool at the time. I found this page using today's undisputed search king Google: http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2064954/Where-Are-They-Now-Search-Engines-Weve-Known-Loved, and took a walk down memory lane. I recall using most of those listed at one time or another AND having to use multiple search engines to find what I needed. By late 2000 or early 2001 I was using Google and have kept with it because it works. I've tried a few others as they came along, Wisenut and Teoma were two that showed promise, but none seemed to be able to match the results offered by Google.
It is interesting to see how internet searching has been evolving. The rise of social media platforms the past few years has provided new aspects to searching, apart from looking for traditional websites. Searching in a variety of mediums is available through outlets as diverse as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. The result is far more information from far more sources than ever before. So, the challenge now is to learn how to sift through it all and find relevant information in a timely fashion. Being as specific as possible is one of the keys. Performing a search for Alberta Grade 5 science lesson plans will provide more relevant results than just searching for science lesson plans. The benefit for us as teachers will be knowing that we are finding the resources we need, no matter how fun it may be to "wander about" online.
I had resisted joining Pinterest, worried that it might become too much of a time sink, (worries that were somewhat justified), but I am finding it an amazing resource, full of resources that will be useful in the classroom. Here again, the idea of being as specific as possible in your search terms is a time saver, no matter how many fantastic shirts I find ;).
References:
accessed October 11, 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_search_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_%28search_engine%29 accessed October 11, 2014
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jughead_%28search_engine%29 accessed October 11, 2014
It is interesting to see how internet searching has been evolving. The rise of social media platforms the past few years has provided new aspects to searching, apart from looking for traditional websites. Searching in a variety of mediums is available through outlets as diverse as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn. The result is far more information from far more sources than ever before. So, the challenge now is to learn how to sift through it all and find relevant information in a timely fashion. Being as specific as possible is one of the keys. Performing a search for Alberta Grade 5 science lesson plans will provide more relevant results than just searching for science lesson plans. The benefit for us as teachers will be knowing that we are finding the resources we need, no matter how fun it may be to "wander about" online.
I had resisted joining Pinterest, worried that it might become too much of a time sink, (worries that were somewhat justified), but I am finding it an amazing resource, full of resources that will be useful in the classroom. Here again, the idea of being as specific as possible in your search terms is a time saver, no matter how many fantastic shirts I find ;).
References:
accessed October 11, 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_search_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_%28search_engine%29 accessed October 11, 2014
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jughead_%28search_engine%29 accessed October 11, 2014