Through the use of internet access, modern day schools have been able to enhance thier learning programs to increase the benefits today's students receive. Some of these enable students to communicate with thier teachers and peers more effectively, such as websites like Flikr. Flikr allows students to share pictures and join groups where they can chat with friends and teachers (also available is Flikr email). Others allow students to organize home pages so that they can reach them from any computer source. That is, websites like Netvibes, and Delicious enable students to connect thier homelife with thier school life without the trouble of availability of source. All these websites serve as great tools for today's older generations. But what about today's young? There are many constant debates about when it is appropriate to engage today's youth with today's advanced technology. One side argues it should be as soon as possible because, afterall, technology is the future. The other would say that introducing youth to internet sources and other advanced technologies, would be spoiling them, and depriving them of their natural abilities. (For example, many teachers argue over the age at which calculators should be brought into the classroom.) But what if there was a way to keep both sides of the spectrum happy?
With Google's "Custom Search Engine", teachers are able to take matters into thier own hands. CSE is a way for teachers to make "surfing the web" appropriate and safe for all age groups! By allowing you to create a search engine of your very own, CSE lets you pre select sites and add them to your page. This means that they get to have control over what students see. It narrows down results, giving students a limited number of "highly relevant search results", making the time spent with technology more manageable and safe for the youth.
Want to see how this website works, and all the possibilties it poses for elementary teachers and teachers world wide? Try it for yourself! Below is a search engine that is pre-made. Test it out for yourself by typing in your country of heritage-such as italy, mexico, or Ireland- even Hawaii! Then try creating one of your own! :)
My Search Engine URL: http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=000428713945287260357:tlo4nu5drw4
My Custom Search Name: Family Heritage Search Engine
Link to test out Family Heritage Search Engine (Below):
<script src="http://www.gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http://www.google.com/cse/api/000428713945287260357/cse/tlo4nu5drw4/gadget&synd=open&w=320&h=75&title=Family+Heritage+Search+Engine&border=%23ffffff%7C0px%2C1px+solid+%2399BB66%7C0px%2C2px+solid+%23AACC66%7C0px%2C2px+solid+%23BBDD66&output=js"></script>
It is great that this gives teachers even more control in their classrooms. It is hard for teachers to know what sites their students use but this helps them know that they are finding the right information without any extra ads or inappropriate sites.
ReplyDeleteI agree that is its a great way for teachers to feel like they are in control of the class room when the students are online and the students will also think that they have freedom of going online without being watched.
ReplyDeletegreat post.