Tech for Teachers EDU 299 Lesson 3

What is the Internet? The Internet is a global network of billions of computers and other electronic devices. With the Internet, it's possible to access almost any information, communicate with anyone else in the world, and do much more. You can do all of this by connecting a computer to the Internet, which is also called going online. When someone says a computer is online, it's just another way of saying it's connected to the Internet.

What is the Web? The World Wide Web—usually called the Web for short—is a collection of different websites you can access through the Internet. A website is made up of related text, images, and other resources. Websites can resemble other forms of media—like newspaper articles or television programs—or they can be interactive in a way that's unique to computers. The purpose of a website can be almost anything: a news platform, an advertisement, an online library, a forum for sharing images, or an educational site like us! Once you are connected to the Internet, you can access and view websites using a type of application called a web browser. Just keep in mind that the web browser itself is not the Internet; it only displays websites that are stored on the Internet.

How does the Internet work? At this point you may be wondering, how does the Internet work? The exact answer is pretty complicated and would take a while to explain. Instead, let's look at some of the most important things you should know. It's important to realize that the Internet is a global network of physical cables, which can include copper telephone wires, TV cables, and fiber optic cables. Even wireless connections like Wi-Fi and 3G/4G rely on these physical cables to access the Internet. When you visit a website, your computer sends a request over these wires to a server. A server is where websites are stored, and it works a lot like your computer's hard drive. Once the request arrives, the server retrieves the website and sends the correct data back to your computer. What's amazing is that this all happens in just a few seconds!

Watch the video below from Tata Communications to learn more about how the Internet functions.

Search Engines The best way to find information on the Internet is through a search engine. There are many search engines. Here are a few. Google Bing Yahoo Ask AOL My Web Search Blekko Lycos Dogpile Web Crawler Info.com Infospace WOW Duck Duck Go

Assignment Using the Search Engines from the previous slide, compare 5 search engines using the document below. Compare and Contrast Search Engines To Fill out the form, you first come up with a keyword that you would like to search for it can be anything (ex. Project Based Learning, technology, etc.) It does not have to pertain to education. Then pick 3 search engines from the previous slide to fill out the form. Then search using your keyword, at the top of the search page there is a place that shares with you the number of hits the search found, record the number the number of hits on the form. The speed is usually next to the number of hits, round it to the nearest hundredth. If not just use an adjective that best describes the speed like good, quick, slow, etc. Do the same with the readability, relevance/accuracy, and eye appeal (ex. Good, busy, cluttered, accurate, inaccurate, etc.) Then write a comment about the search engine like you hated it, you liked it, I will never use this search engine, it is so complicated, etc. Then submit the form.

Search Engines for Kids There are search engines designed just for kids to provide safe searches. KidRex GoGooligans Kidz Search Searchy Pants Mymunka Kids Click!

Assignment Compare and Contrast 3 Search Engines for Kids Kids Search Engine Comparison Fill it out the same as the above chart. You will want to pick a keyword that kids would search.

Tips and Tricks to Searching There are several cool tips and tricks that will help when searching. Please take a look at theses tips and tricks. Google Tips and Tricks 15 Awesome Google Search Tips and Tricks

Google Google is not only a search engine, it is so much more. It has been said that it may be one of the best resources for teachers.

What is Google Chrome? Google Chrome is a web browser like Internet Explorer, Safari, and Firefox. Assignment: Download Google Chrome and try it out. Click on the Google Chrome link above and follow the on screen instructions to download.

Google Chrome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRO3gKj3qw

What are Google Chrome Extensions? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC9Cppt-6J0

Google Chrome Extensions Skim these articles- 15+ Great Chrome Extensions for Teachers Top Ten Extensions for Teachers 6 Extensions that Super Charge my Chromebook The Best Chrome Extensions

What are Google Chrome Apps Chrome Apps are advanced interactive websites providing either a wide-ranging set of features, or focusing on a single task like photo editing or shopping. Apps and Extensions can be found on the Chrome Web Store

Google Chrome Apps Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB5KFJULahs

Google Chrome Apps Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNi8RdUEnik

Assignment: Apps and Extensions From the videos and articles above, download and try 5 apps and 3 extensions. Fill out this worksheet. Hand in the worksheet through the assignment form on the website. Chrome Web Store