Module 3 Researching

Objectives

3A. By visiting Diigo, the participant will discriminate in the organization and classification of online sources.

   * (E)  basics of how to conduct an Internet search on a given topic,
      terms such as share/public/group/list
   * (S) use bookmarking software within search engine

3B. Within Google, the participant will practice executing various information search tools and create a lesson that demonstrates their utility to their students.

   * (E) have experience using Google as a search engine or web-based search
      for information
   * (S) experience with Google tools

Activities

3A

1. Visit [1] and create a user account. I suggest using your school email account (this will allow you to use their educator perks when you become more comfortable with the program.)

Read this article on social bookmarking as a research tool File:SocialBookmarkingAsATool.pdf

  * Printable assessments to use with your students
  * Simple directions about how to instruct students to use this tool

Watch the video on their homepage to better understand the purpose and application of this tool.
Save the Diigolet to your favorites bar.

2. Using the search engine of your choice (ie. Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.), explore at least three websites that will support a lesson you are currently planning.

3. For the three helpful sites you find:

Bookmark all three, be sure you select share to group so everyone can see them
Use the highlighter and sticky note tools (Select "Public" so we can read what you write and highlight)
Add useful tags for yourself (You can select the ones they offer or make up your own)
Go through our group library and visit at least two sites suggested by others. Add a sticky note or respond to one of their previous comments.

Having Trouble? Submit a new thread to our Ask a Question discussion.

3B

We've all used Google. It is both a blessing and a curse. Sure you get loads of information, but it can be overwhelming and frustrating to weed through it all. There are many tools you can use to make it all more manageable.

1. Read this article on Google's Wonder Wheel File:GooglesWonderWheel.pdf

2. Select a topic related to a lesson you are currently working on

3. Go to [2], click on the more button at the top of the page

4. Explore three of the following:

  *Scholar
  *Blogs
  *Updates
  *You Tube

Click even more at the bottom of the menu. Are there any options here you think you could use? Try them out!

5. Research with the Wonder Wheel. Reflect: how did it help you find the information you were looking for? Did it direct you to something you hadn't thought of?

6. Below the Wonder Wheel option is the Timeline. How could you use this? How could your students use this tool?

7.

   * Reflect on our Blackboard discussion board with a post that completes the following statement:

   I'm researching________ and I found several Google tools that were helpful, such as...

   * Read through each other's posts, and comment on a colleague's post you found interesting.

Having Trouble?? Submit a new thread to our Ask a Question discussion.

Suggested Readings:

8 Google Tricks for Your Classroom [3]

What's New in Google Docs? [4]

 Many new applications are available in Google Docs. A few ideas include 
 publishing collaborative documents to live webpages for public view, or the 
 use of spread sheets for management of large group projects.

Google Forms [5]

 This source has excellent ideas for creating forms in Google Docs. You may 
 consider this method for having students complete online tests/quizzes and 
 submitting them. They can easily then be used on an Ipod Touch.

How to Teach with Google Earth [6]

 The opportunities for Google Earth are endless. Applications in the science
 classroom are obvious.

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