Google: Search by Image

Google has added a nifty little tool to their Image Search area which now allows you to actually search using an image! Here's a short video you can watch to find out how it works. It's pretty easy and on the couple of tests I did, it actually works. I think it's very clever.

E-Z Fynd - the safe and easy way to search the internet!

Ever wondered why you can never find what you're searching for on the internet?

(With search terms and websites like these, is it any wonder!)



Lucky for us, there's a great new search engine out that you'll find extremely helpful! It's apparently the new easy and safe way to search the internet. Check out the video below to find out more. It's definitely worth a watch.

Hilarious right?! Luckily the internet is so easy to search these days, through Google, or any of the other many search engines. And for those of us who do end up searching for things like kitt eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHS (like in the picture above) then unfortunately you might have to resort to E-Z Fynd (although I'm not sure even they will be able to help you)......or just not use the internet at all.

Pearltrees

I'm not sure how many of you use bookmarking websites like Diigo or Delicious, but I really find them unappealing and difficult to use. Well, that was until recently, when Tina introduced me to a site called Pearltrees. Pearltrees is a more visual and easy to use bookmarking website which I recommend you all go out and sign up for straight away!
You can create trees {or subjects} to which you can attach pearls {or websites}. Here is a picture of some of the trees that I have created:

You can then click on each tree to open it up, and then attach any pearls {or websites} you want. As you can see have one for my blogs - as there's a lot of those that I read - one for websites which have some great ideas for work....you can really make a tree for anything you want! Once you click into a tree, you'll be able to see the websites or blogs that you've made into pearls. If you hover over your pearls you'll be able to see a screenshot of the site. Here is my tree that I keep the food blogs and website that I love in:

Once you click to open a pearl it opens up the website, but keeps the pearltrees banner at the top of the page, so once you're done with one site you can simply click 'next' or 'previous' to scroll through your pearls. Or alternatively, you can select to go back to the Pearltrees site or share the site on Facebook and Twitter, as you can see below.

The part I like most about Pearltrees, is that they have an app available for free download on the iPad. The layout is the same as the website, but it's just so easy to swipe through your saved websites. Plus, on both the website and the app you can find people with similar interests and scroll through their pearls - you might find some more sites which are of interest to you which you can add as pearls!

Photosynth

Photosynth is a clever tool (and website) which allows people to take panoramic (sometime 360 degree!) photographs of interesting locations and share them with the world. The app, which is available to Apple devices only, allows you to take your photo and upload it to the website, as well as your chosen social networking site. The App is free to download to your iPad.

The website allows you to view the panoramic photos both you and other people have uploaded. You can see anything from museums to bridges to archaeology to famous landmarks. The following are a couple of examples of the panoramic pictures that have already been taken and uploaded to Photosynth

Photosynth could be used in classes for students to look at areas they're studying, or they could even create their own Synth to upload.

Khan Academy

I attended a PD ran by the School Library Association on Monday where I found out about many different tools and resources that I'm excited to share with you. My next few posts will cover these and hopefully you find something helpful for you to use.

The first resource that I wanted to share is called Khan Academy which offers free lessons and videos on a huge amount of topics, from Maths to Science to Humanities. Students who use Khan Academy can watch videos on their topic, complete lessons to show their understanding of the topic and also collect badges as they move along in their lessons. Teachers are able to look at an overall summary of their classes performance as a whole or look at a particular student's profile to see where they need further help, or what they are proficient in.

The following is a video which shows how student's can complete the exercises offered by Khan Academy and also how teachers can access their classes or students stats.

For further information it's worth having a look at the Khan Academy's website or at their About Page which explains in more detail how the site works.

DVD Recommendation : Catfish

I got the chance to watch Catfish a couple of weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. I went into it not knowing much about the movie/documentary and I thought that was the best thing I could have done, so I'll try not to give too much away here. I got it for the school as I thought it would be a great DVD to show the students about Facebook and how not everyone on it, and online, are not always what they seem or what they tell you. A great lesson in cyber safety to be learnt here and overall a very interesting, entertaining and thrilling DVD to watch.

Blurb: 'Film makers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost sense a story unfolding as they begin to film the life of Ariel's brother, Nev. They have no idea that their project will lead to the most exhilerating and unsettling months of their lives as they unravel an intriguing Facebook mystery. A reality thriller that is a shocking product of our times, Catfish is a riveting story of love, deception and grace within a labyrinth of online intrigue.

How to Choose a Search Tool

Using the internet is a convenient way to quickly source information. Most of us understand the basics we need to find what we are looking for. However, there are times when you are frustrated by results not meeting your requirements. What can you do? You could access Internet Tutorials – How to Choose a Search Tool to determine which are the best search engines for your query. For example, if you are after podcasts or videos try: Academic Earth, Big think, Blogginghead.tv, Fancast, FORA.tv, iTunesU, Podcast Search Service, TED, Youtube.
This site has documented a comprehensive list of search specific options including speciality searches, search logic, fields & file types and search results. Good luck and happy searching!