Wolfram Alpha

Wow... the world may soon no longer google. A new site which tells us the answers to our questions in a more logical manner, using intelligence to see direct answers to our questions is on the way... watch for Wolfram Alpha... it is going to revolutionise the net as we know it...

Traveler IQ Challenge

This game is cool. There are many different things you can do in this game, it's so simple, but very effective for learning. I use this for homework activities, great with social science and I also think a game like this is a harmless reward. I certainly will be encouraging my children to play games like this in the future.

This Traveler IQ challenge compares your geographical knowledge against the World's Original Travelogue's other 3,259,091 travelers who have taken this challenge as of Sunday, November 02, 2008 at 08:54AM GMT. (TravelPod is a TripAdvisor Media Network partner)

Anyquestions

Many websites are appearing, designed to support learners and parents with learners school work. Anyquestions is a group of New Zealand Librarians, have created, supported a website, which learners are encourage to ‘chat online’ with qualified librarians, in a safe environment, in order to gain support with their home learning. This site is designed to support learners with finding information appropriately, in a manner applicable to their assignment, and with people trained to guide them. Learners will not receive the answers from the Librarians in the chat rooms, but direction, usually assistance to find information, in the hope that future learning is made easier with the continued development of research and problem solving skills. anyquestion.co.nz chat rooms with librarians are open week days between the hours of 1:00pm and 6:00pm. A link is also available to the Te Reo site, where librarians are available for support in Te Reo, between the hours of 2:00pm and 3:00pm.

Netsafe

Netsafe is an organisation partially funded by the Department of Education for New Zealanders. It is designed to support, guide and give direction with internet safety. Netsafe are developing programs to support and sustain not only parents, but also teachers, with regard to guiding our learners in appropriate direction when online. Parents are also able to contact Netsafe for support with specific concerns.

Netsafe are internationally renowned and have developed online software which other countries education departments are trying to apply to their own online educational practices. They provide links to support appropriate safe behaviour for learners online and how to deal with online bullying, as well as other associated issues. Links to other areas are also supplied to further support information.

Netsafe is the first port of call in New Zealand for support with regard to online safety. Netsafe is not only for learners, but also parents, community groups, businesses and any other interested parties. Have a look, if you have any issues with online safety within your home, keep the link as a helpful resource. Netsafe take online safety very seriously.

Google Page Creator no more...

Please note, an earlier post I have done this year encouraging Google Page Creator... Google have decided to "shift their focus" to other Google sites. I presume from the wording of their front page, that they are working on further development of a similar style of web set up.

I have spent much time online looking at web page creating software and am not finding much out there at this stage. I am currently looking at SynthaSite. It appears to be more 'clunky' than other Google Page Creator, but at least it works... Will let you know when I hear more.

Wikipedia

Now I know I'm stating the obvious here for most people, but I would like to remind you of one of the simplest and most empowering tools on the Internet. Wikipedia. I use it countless times a day. If I'm teaching, especially History, and unsure, I just whip Wikipedia out on my smart board, and we go through and find the information I don't know. I'm not intending on telling people how to do the basics, but would simply like to remind people of such a powerful resource, which is free....

My learners understand that anyone can contribute to Wikipedia and this can cause much bias, but we also understand that Wikipedia is the most up to date encyclopedia in the world, because of this fact.

Don't forget what's at your finger tips!

BibMe; Fast & Easy Biliography's

BibMe looks awesome. I really wish this kind of thing was around when I was studying!!! I feel we really missed out! The information available is priceless and I think that rather than spending hours in a library looking for missed information, just have a quick check online.

I really like the huge quantity of information that is available, not only regarding books, but also Websites, Magazines, Films, Journals etc.

However, please remember to teach learners how to find the information for a Bibliography. These skills must still be learnt, understood and able to be applied. BibMe really is a time-saver, but not a teacher.