Information+Management+2

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KEEPING CURRENT
Monitoring the Web for interesting New Content

Google Alerts
Google Alerts are email updates sent to me when Google finds new results -- such as web pages, newspaper articles, videos, or blogs -- that match my search query or topic. Google Alerts can be used to monitor anything on the Web. For example, people use Google Alerts to:
 * find out what is being said about their company or product.
 * monitor a developing news story.
 * keep up to date on a competitor or industry.
 * get the latest news on a celebrity or sports team.

I use it to keep myself up-to-date on issues related to ICT integration and web 2.0 tools

To set up alerts:
 * You enter a query that you're interested in.
 * Google Alerts checks regularly to see if there are new results for your query.
 * If there are new results, Google Alerts sends them to you in an email.

This is a copy of my Alerts Manager
 * ~ Everything ||~ Volume ||~ How often ||~ Deliver to ||~  ||
 * |||| [|Professional Development and Technology Integration] || Only the best results || As-it-happens || vernawil@gmail.com || [|edit] ||
 * |||| [|Using technology in the classroom] || Only the best results || As-it-happens || vernawil@gmail.com || [|edit] ||
 * |||| [|using technology to teach modern languages] || Only the best results || As-it-happens || vernawil@gmail.com || [|edit] ||
 * |||| [|Using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom] || Only the best results || As-it-happens || vernawil@gmail.com || [|edit] ||
 * |||| [|Web 2.0 tools] || Only the best results || As-it-happens || vernawil@gmail.com || [|edit] ||
 * |||| [|Web 2.0 tools updates] || Only the best results || As-it-happens || vernawil@gmail.com || [|edit] ||

Subscriptions
I subscribe to the following blogs. I access them at My Yahoo :
 * Larry Ferlazzo's Website of the Day
 * The Pursuit of Technology Integration Happiness
 * Technological Teaching Aids
 * Best Content in Educators / Diigo - Groups
 * Edutopia RSS
 * Teacher Reboot Camp

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">I subscribe to the following feeds in my Google Reader
 * Kathy Schrock Kaffeeklatsch
 * Free Technology for Teachers
 * Jane's E-Learning Pick-of-the day
 * Free resources from the net for every learner

<span style="color: #0082ff; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">WEB QUESTS
Web Quests, student-centred and inquiry-based activities, require that students apply high-order thinking skills to create solutions to contextualized and clearly defined problems. Apart from this focus on critical thinking, they support other instructional and cognitive practices such as problem solving through authentic assessment, cooperative learning, scaffolding and technology integration.

My web quests provided students with access to a plethora of resources that I had selected. The way the activity was designed ensured that students did not simply surf the web in an aimless, open-ended and unstructured manner. I wanted them to see the Web Quest activities as useful tools for enhancing the development of transferable skills and helping them to bridge the gap between school and "real world" experiences. In my opinion, the Web Quests provided a practical way for my students to acquire information, debate issues, participate in meaningful discussions, engage in role play simulations, solve problems, and, perhaps most importantly, become connected and involve

Please find below the introductions of and links to two web quests that I designed and assigned to my students

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Learning a foreign language - Option or Necessity

<span style="color: #732aef; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">**A Methodology WebQuest**


 * Introduction **

Through the process of this webquest, students will learn the importance of learning at least a second language for we are all actually part of a planet, not just a local community and we cannot successfully live without understanding one another, local and international, in language and culture.

Here, you will use the power of teamwork to learn all about perspectives with regard to foreign language education. Each person in the group will become an expert on some aspect of the topic and then you will come together at the end to share and get a better understanding of the topic as a whole.

The entire web quest can be accessed here

<span style="color: #177a17; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Latin American Experiences

<span style="color: #177a17; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">**An Internet WebQuest on Hispanic Culture**


 * <span style="color: #800000; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Introduction **

Congratulations! You have just joined a team of tourism consultants. As your first assignment you have been asked to create a multimedia package to encourage tourism in Spanish-speaking countries. Recent travel statistics have shown a decline in the number of people opting for these destinations. An analysis of a survey revealed that persons are unaware of the attractions that these countries offer.

Your team has been asked to focus on some cultural aspect of these countries. Your package must deal with traditional holidays, foods, dance and music, historical sites and famous artistes (singers, actors) In this Web Quest, you will use the power of teamwork. Each person in your group will become an expert on one of the aspects. You will come together at the end to put the information in order to create your multimedia package.

The entire web quest can be accessed here