CONVERGE MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHT!

Google Custom Search Refines Research Skills
Posted by Tanya Roscorla
on August 10, 2009 Ed Tech

The GOOGLE CUSTOM search engines do keep students from finding inappropriate sites on the whole Web, said Cindy Lane, an adjunct professor, Google Certified Teacher and instructional technology specialist from St. Louis. One of her students looked up “black holes” in a regular search, and you can just imagine what that child found, she said. She designed and taught a four-week class this summer at Southwest Baptist University for K-12 educators on Google applications, and she focused on searching during one of those weeks. All of the students created custom search engines, but many of them said they had never heard about it before.“You would think teachers would know about all of the applications that make their lives easier in their classrooms, but unless they take classes or they go to technology conferences or they have some really good PD [professional development] already imbedded in their schools, it’s a hit and miss kind of thing,” Lane said, “which is unfortunate.”

Two years? Is that true?

Wow, time does go by fast when you are having fun! Life definitely got a lot more fun these last few months and I just have to pause for a minute today and reflect on my direction, my donation to the educational technology arena and my devotion to technology.

When people ask me why I blog, I tell them I do it for my own self reflection only. Yes, it would be nice to have throngs of people reading my stellar writing, (but think about the pressure too!) I blog so I can look at my old writings, maybe see some growth and definitely smile at all of my shenanigans!

I've had the EXTREME pleasure of working with some great educators across this planet and it's just a gift to hear and see their passion! I was on a plane recently and sat next to a wonderful, personable lady who shared her own love of educational technology and we spent the entire plane ride talking about the MANY benefits of document cameras!

These past two years have been full of wonderful suprises, the BEST becoming a Google Certified Teacher and the worst...hah! There aren't any! I've grown and enjoyed every moment and looking forward....ALWAYS looking forward with my glass (at least) HALF FULL!

My friend Kerm, in Maine, has a great way to show his technology at his school to the whole world...Check out the 30 second video!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaKz-x8OZms

Top Tools for Teachers

SEARCHING PEOPLE!!!! Ok, Teachers are scrambling to get their rooms ready and greet their new students. Hopefully, they've gone to some great workshops this summer and have learned some great new tools to add to their toolboxes..
Here are two tips. .
1. Get to know the ADVANCED feature in Google Search, (see jpg)
2. Read about how to use the Custom Search Engine!

Google Custom Search Refines Research Skills http://bit.ly/g4WjK