Changes

File:Firefox_5_Searched_Address.png|400x450px|thumb|Search results will appear

File:Firefox_5_Searched_Address.png|400x450px|thumb|Search results will appear

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=== World wide web - A global digital library - connecting and learning ===

==== World wide web - A global digital library - connecting and learning ====

For making teaching more effective, a resource rich learning environment is necessary. However, in many cases, teachers only have the text book for their subject. The text book is intended primarily for the student and the teacher needs to access resources that are a super set of the topic as dealt in the text book, so that the teacher is well placed to teach using different approaches and with multiple resources, based on the learning contexts and needs of the students. Teachers must also be resourceful to address any doubts or questions that may arise in class or elsewhere on the topic. However, learning resources other than text books are not easily available to teachers. Also significant part of materials available is copyrighted, meaning teachers cannot make copies of the same for their use and it may be expensive to purchase all the required resource materials.  The world wide web with its millions of web pages can thus be a "'''Global Digital Library'''", which has resources on many topics.  However, to harness this library, we need to know how to search for information on the web.  After accessing the resources, making meaning depends on our skills to evaluate and organize these resources.  The resources available in the Global Digital Library can be organized into a meaningful personal digital library on our own computer, enabling self learning.   

For making teaching more effective, a resource rich learning environment is necessary. However, in many cases, teachers only have the text book for their subject. The text book is intended primarily for the student and the teacher needs to access resources that are a super set of the topic as dealt in the text book, so that the teacher is well placed to teach using different approaches and with multiple resources, based on the learning contexts and needs of the students. Teachers must also be resourceful to address any doubts or questions that may arise in class or elsewhere on the topic. However, learning resources other than text books are not easily available to teachers. Also significant part of materials available is copyrighted, meaning teachers cannot make copies of the same for their use and it may be expensive to purchase all the required resource materials.  The world wide web with its millions of web pages can thus be a "'''Global Digital Library'''", which has resources on many topics.  However, to harness this library, we need to know how to search for information on the web.  After accessing the resources, making meaning depends on our skills to evaluate and organize these resources.  The resources available in the Global Digital Library can be organized into a meaningful personal digital library on our own computer, enabling self learning.   

Internet is also allowing new methods of learning through on-line courses and blended learning method, thus making us rethink what we learn and how (where) we learn.  This unit will help you learn how you can use ICT to ''connect and learn''.     

Internet is also allowing new methods of learning through on-line courses and blended learning method, thus making us rethink what we learn and how (where) we learn.  This unit will help you learn how you can use ICT to ''connect and learn''.     

==== Accessing information on the internet  - Search engine ====

===== Accessing information on the internet  - Search engine =====

A popular way of finding information on the Internet is through the use of a search engine. Search engine is a website that can retrieve a large amount of relevant information in very a short time.  

A popular way of finding information on the Internet is through the use of a search engine. Search engine is a website that can retrieve a large amount of relevant information in very a short time.  

File:COL - Google Search - Adavance Search for OER 1.png|400x450px|thumb|Accessing text information  

File:COL - Google Search - Adavance Search for OER 1.png|400x450px|thumb|Accessing text information  

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====== How to evaluate an Internet resource / web site ======

===== How to evaluate an Internet resource / web site =====

There are a few things you must check when we look at the usefulness of the information on any website.

There are a few things you must check when we look at the usefulness of the information on any website.

# Source of the website. Whose website is it ? How to contact the website owner/manager? (check the 'About Us' link that is usually provided on a web site to get this information). It is important to know about the source of the information, to get a sense of its authenticity

# Source of the website. Whose website is it ? How to contact the website owner/manager? (check the 'About Us' link that is usually provided on a web site to get this information). It is important to know about the source of the information, to get a sense of its authenticity

References: [[Learn Firefox]]

References: [[Learn Firefox]]

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=== Creating your own personal digital library (PDL) ===

=== ICT for connecting and learning - creating a personal digital library (PDL) ===

A personal digital library (PDL) is simply a folder containing a set of sub-folders and files on your computer, which contain information on a particular topic. You can store information on different topics of interest to you in different folders, which together constitute your PDL on your computer.   

A personal digital library (PDL) is simply a folder containing a set of sub-folders and files on your computer, which contain information on a particular topic. You can store information on different topics of interest to you in different folders, which together constitute your PDL on your computer.