this week we learnt about Web Quests in order to complete our Portfolio item 3.  I had never heard of Web Quests before and am amazed at what teachers are able to do with them. Whole lessons can be made with the information you choose and students also gain the experience of working on computers and researching. I think its great!

This is my Portfolio Item 2. I have chosen to compare Google, Alta Vista and Dogpile. the results are very interesting. I enjoyed comparing each search engine with others. I have also learnt how to use headers and footers which i have rarely done before. 

Yesterday i learnt how to use search engines and the use of booline words such as AND NOT OR.  i usually use google but we used Alta Vista. I used boolines and found they were not very successful. I said “NOT” toilets and all that came up was information about toilets so i found it reasonably uneffective and found i had to use the advanced search button to allow the use of ‘not toilets’ to actually work. overall i learnt how to refine or expand my search while using the world wide web.

I have learnt to use the ‘world wide web’ and i now have a greater understanding of how it works.  i understand about servers and clients. i found the part about routers and wireless networks rather interesting as i have a wireless network at home and can relate to it as there are always problems with out router and DNS.

However, I am sure that i do not fully understand the extent of the ‘world wide web’ and am very willing to learn more and let my knowledge grow. I will definatly need to let my knowledge grow to be able to teach it to others.

here are the results of my personal competency test. this test showed me that i am quite stong in areas of basic computer use and understanding. i am very able of most programs. i lack knowledge of some particular programs i.e ‘inspiration’. i will have to research it and learn how to use it. overall i would say i am very able when it comes to computers.