TERM ONETERM ONE

TERM TWOTERM TWO

LOCATING AND TRANSFERRING INFORMATION FROM LOCATING AND TRANSFERRING INFORMATION FROM WEBSITES TO WORD PROCESSORSWEBSITES TO WORD PROCESSORS

COMPOSE AND SEND EMAIL MESSAGESCOMPOSE AND SEND EMAIL MESSAGES

ACCESSING AND REPLYING EMAILSACCESSING AND REPLYING EMAILS

WAYS OF SHARING INFORMATIONWAYS OF SHARING INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION TO SPREADSHEETINTRODUCTION TO SPREADSHEET

SCROLL BARS and THE HELP FACILITYSCROLL BARS and THE HELP FACILITY

FINDING FILES AND FOLDERS USING THE SEARCH TOOLFINDING FILES AND FOLDERS USING THE SEARCH TOOL

INTEGRATION OF ICT INTO LEARNINGINTEGRATION OF ICT INTO LEARNING

SEARCH ENGINESSEARCH ENGINES

INTRODUCTION

The Internet contains information for all types of The Internet contains information for all types of people. Locating information however is sometimes people. Locating information however is sometimes a little difficult if you do not know where to look or a little difficult if you do not know where to look or where to find it. It is therefore very important to where to find it. It is therefore very important to learn how to locate information on the internet and learn how to locate information on the internet and how to capture the information.how to capture the information.

LOCATING INFORMATION FROM WEBSITES

The World Wide Web is designed to revolve around an The World Wide Web is designed to revolve around an interconnection of links from one internet page to the interconnection of links from one internet page to the other. Web pages can include links to other files on the other. Web pages can include links to other files on the same computer or another computer connected to the same computer or another computer connected to the Internet.Internet.

A web browser is a tool which aids computer users to A web browser is a tool which aids computer users to display the content of web pages on their computer. display the content of web pages on their computer.

LOCATING INFORMATION FROM WEBSITES

There are many ways to locate information on the There are many ways to locate information on the Internet. These include:Internet. These include:

•• Clicking a link in the currently visible pageClicking a link in the currently visible page•• Typing the website address of a new site in Typing the website address of a new site in

the the address baraddress bar

•• Choose a website address from a list of sites Choose a website address from a list of sites you you

have visited beforehave visited before•• Use the Back and Forward buttons on the Use the Back and Forward buttons on the

toolbar toolbar to return to a site you have to return to a site you have recently visited.recently visited.

CLICKING A LINK IN THE CURRENTLY VISIBLE PAGE

A link in a currently visible page is known as a A link in a currently visible page is known as a hyperlink. A hyperlink can be defined as an hyperlink. A hyperlink can be defined as an electronic location on a web page that contains electronic location on a web page that contains jumps to other web pages or files.jumps to other web pages or files.

A hyperlink may either appear as a word, A hyperlink may either appear as a word, phrase, picture or headline on an internet phrase, picture or headline on an internet page. Clicking on the hyperlink would result in page. Clicking on the hyperlink would result in loading a new page on the web browser to loading a new page on the web browser to display new or additional data.display new or additional data.

TYPING THE WEBSITE ADDRESS

You can locate information from the internet by You can locate information from the internet by typing in the website address in the address typing in the website address in the address bar of the web browser. You can find website bar of the web browser. You can find website addresses from magazines, newspapers, radio addresses from magazines, newspapers, radio and television.and television.

CHOOSE A WEBSITE ADDRESS

Most web browsers keep track of the websites Most web browsers keep track of the websites that you visit. The addresses of these websites that you visit. The addresses of these websites can be found when you click on the arrow next can be found when you click on the arrow next to the address bar. From this list, you can visit to the address bar. From this list, you can visit a website to observe the information on the a website to observe the information on the website.website.

BACK AND FORWARD BUTTONS

These buttons, the Back and Forward button These buttons, the Back and Forward button can be found on the standard toolbar on most can be found on the standard toolbar on most web browsers. The Back button is used to web browsers. The Back button is used to return to previously open web pages in a return to previously open web pages in a particular browser. Click the Back button to go particular browser. Click the Back button to go back to the page that you were looking at back to the page that you were looking at before you followed the link to take you to the before you followed the link to take you to the current page.current page.

COPYING AND PASTING INFORMATION FROM WEBSITES

One thing that most people do with the One thing that most people do with the information they find on the internet is to copy information they find on the internet is to copy the information and paste it in a word the information and paste it in a word processing document. Click on the box below to processing document. Click on the box below to watch a demonstration of how to copy text watch a demonstration of how to copy text from the internet and paste it in a Word from the internet and paste it in a Word processor as described on page 7 of the processor as described on page 7 of the textbook.textbook.

INTRODUCTION

Email services have improved greatly and Email services have improved greatly and this has encouraged many individuals and this has encouraged many individuals and organisations to use this facility to aid organisations to use this facility to aid their operations. Companies use their their operations. Companies use their email resources to interact with their email resources to interact with their clients and customers on an almost daily clients and customers on an almost daily basis. Considering the fast and basis. Considering the fast and inexpensive nature of email in comparison inexpensive nature of email in comparison to paper based mail, it is important to to paper based mail, it is important to learn about it. learn about it.

COMPOSE AND SEND E-MAIL MESSAGES

To effectively make use of email, there are two To effectively make use of email, there are two basic things that must be available. To start basic things that must be available. To start with, you must possess an email account to with, you must possess an email account to compose the message. Next, you must have compose the message. Next, you must have internet connectivity in order to send the internet connectivity in order to send the composed message. composed message.

LOG INTO YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT

You cannot send an email without logging into You cannot send an email without logging into an email account. Click on the box below to an email account. Click on the box below to watch a video of how to log into an email watch a video of how to log into an email account as described on page 14 of the account as described on page 14 of the textbook.textbook.

COMPOSE YOUR EMAIL

Every email address has two major parts. The Every email address has two major parts. The first part is the username of the email address. first part is the username of the email address. This usually comes before the @ sign. This usually comes before the @ sign.

The second part of the email address comes The second part of the email address comes after the @ sign. This is the address of the after the @ sign. This is the address of the email service provider. email service provider.

SENDING AN EMAIL

Click on the box below to watch a video of how Click on the box below to watch a video of how to compose and send an email as described on to compose and send an email as described on page 16-18 of the textbook.page 16-18 of the textbook.

LOGGING OUT OF AN EMAIL ACCOUNT

You need to log out of your email account after You need to log out of your email account after using it. This prevents people from having using it. This prevents people from having unauthorised access to your email account unauthorised access to your email account when you leave the computer. Click on the box when you leave the computer. Click on the box below to watch a video of how to log out of an below to watch a video of how to log out of an email account as described on page 19 of the email account as described on page 19 of the textbook.textbook.

INTRODUCTION

Considering the widespread use of the Considering the widespread use of the internet, it is appropriate to examine its internet, it is appropriate to examine its importance. Email plays an important role importance. Email plays an important role in everyday life. Email is used for the in everyday life. Email is used for the followingfollowing

•• to send job applicationsto send job applications•• for sending official information for sending official information

and and communicationcommunication

•• to send academic papersto send academic papers•• to advertise new productsto advertise new products

ACCESS AND REPLY EMAIL

Every email account has an inbox. The inbox Every email account has an inbox. The inbox refers to the location in the email account refers to the location in the email account where email messages are stored.where email messages are stored.

Every email you receive goes to the inbox. To Every email you receive goes to the inbox. To access and read email, you must visit your access and read email, you must visit your inbox. Click on the box below to view how to inbox. Click on the box below to view how to access your inbox as described on page 23 of access your inbox as described on page 23 of the textbook.the textbook.

REPLY EMAILS

It is a good practice to reply an email when you It is a good practice to reply an email when you receive one. This helps the sender to confirm receive one. This helps the sender to confirm that the email was delivered. Click on the box that the email was delivered. Click on the box below to view a video of how to reply emails as below to view a video of how to reply emails as described on page 25 of the textbook.described on page 25 of the textbook.

INTRODUCTION

Sending emails is not the only way of Sending emails is not the only way of sharing information on the internet. There sharing information on the internet. There are many ways of sharing information on are many ways of sharing information on the internet.the internet.

Information can be used for planning, Information can be used for planning, controlling, decision making, recording and controlling, decision making, recording and measuring. People use the information they measuring. People use the information they have to plan for the future.have to plan for the future.

SHARING INFORMATION

Information on the internet can be shared Information on the internet can be shared through:through:

• • emailsemails•• websiteswebsites•• personal blogspersonal blogs•• joining online collaborative projectsjoining online collaborative projects•• RSS feedsRSS feeds•• PodcastsPodcasts

THROUGH EMAILS

You can share information You can share information through emails anytime you through emails anytime you send one to a friend. You send one to a friend. You can tell your friends almost can tell your friends almost anything you want when anything you want when you send them an email. you send them an email. You can share not only You can share not only text, but pictures as well as text, but pictures as well as music and videos through music and videos through email.email.

WEBSITES

Almost every website has Almost every website has some sort of information on some sort of information on it. You can share it. You can share information when you tell information when you tell your friends about the your friends about the websites you have found. websites you have found. You can also create your You can also create your own website to share the own website to share the information you have. information you have. There are a lot of people There are a lot of people who have personal who have personal websites where they share websites where they share information about information about themselves with other themselves with other peoplepeople.

PERSONAL BLOGS

A blog is a website that allows A blog is a website that allows people to post information or people to post information or comments on a given topic for comments on a given topic for others to read. There are many others to read. There are many blogs on the Internet.blogs on the Internet.

JOINING ONLINE COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

Online collaborative projects or email Online collaborative projects or email discussions groups are groups or websites discussions groups are groups or websites that treat a wealth of topics. You can ask that treat a wealth of topics. You can ask questions that will be answered by experts questions that will be answered by experts as well as make contributions where as well as make contributions where possible. Some of these online collaborative possible. Some of these online collaborative projects and daily emails on topics that projects and daily emails on topics that interest you. There are a number of online interest you. There are a number of online collaborative projects some of these include collaborative projects some of these include Listserve and Majordomo.Listserve and Majordomo.

RSS FEEDS

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It is an internet technology used to send is an internet technology used to send frequently updated information such as frequently updated information such as news. An RSS document contains either a news. An RSS document contains either a summary of content from a website. RSS summary of content from a website. RSS feeds make it possible for people to keep up feeds make it possible for people to keep up with their favourite web site in an automated with their favourite web site in an automated manner.manner.

PODCASTS

Podcasts are video and audio recordings of Podcasts are video and audio recordings of programs that can be downloaded by programs that can be downloaded by internet users and used to acquire internet users and used to acquire information. Podcasts are very useful information. Podcasts are very useful because internet users can choose when to because internet users can choose when to listen or watch their favourite programs.listen or watch their favourite programs.

INTRODUCTION

A SPREADSHEET can be compared to a A SPREADSHEET can be compared to a paper ledger sheet of an accountant. It paper ledger sheet of an accountant. It consists of a grid or table made from consists of a grid or table made from columns and rows. It is an environment columns and rows. It is an environment that can make the manipulation of that can make the manipulation of numbers easy. There are a lot of numbers easy. There are a lot of mathematics that go on in the background mathematics that go on in the background when the spreadsheet accepts data from when the spreadsheet accepts data from the computer user, but spreadsheets make the computer user, but spreadsheets make it very simple to use.it very simple to use.

SPREADSHEET

There are many software tools are currently There are many software tools are currently available that make financial planning, the available that make financial planning, the analysis of research data or creating graphs analysis of research data or creating graphs very simple. A number of commercial very simple. A number of commercial spreadsheet programs are currently available spreadsheet programs are currently available for a number of computer platforms.for a number of computer platforms.

The common spreadsheet applications include The common spreadsheet applications include Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro and MS-Excel.Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro and MS-Excel.

One of the major advantages of spreadsheet One of the major advantages of spreadsheet applications is that they allow the computer applications is that they allow the computer user to experiment with a lot of numbers user to experiment with a lot of numbers before settling on the final product. before settling on the final product.

FEATURES OF SPREADSHEET APPLICATION

Click on the box below to watch a video of how Click on the box below to watch a video of how to launch a spreadsheet application as to launch a spreadsheet application as described on page 34 of the textbook.described on page 34 of the textbook.

PARTS OF THE EXCEL WINDOW

COLUMN

A column is defined as the vertical space A column is defined as the vertical space that goes up and down the window. Letters that goes up and down the window. Letters of the alphabet are used to identify a of the alphabet are used to identify a columns location. There are 256 columns in columns location. There are 256 columns in a single Excel worksheet. The first column a single Excel worksheet. The first column is labelled A up to the 26th which is Z. The is labelled A up to the 26th which is Z. The 27th column is labelled as AA and 53rd, 27th column is labelled as AA and 53rd, BA. The last column is labelled IV. Office BA. The last column is labelled IV. Office 2007 and 2010 is XFD.2007 and 2010 is XFD.

ROWS

A row is defined as the horizontal space A row is defined as the horizontal space that moves across the window. In MS-that moves across the window. In MS-Excel, numbers are used to identify a rows Excel, numbers are used to identify a rows location. There are 65,536 rows in an Excel location. There are 65,536 rows in an Excel worksheet. The first row is labelled 1 and worksheet. The first row is labelled 1 and the last row is labelled 65,536. Office 2007 the last row is labelled 65,536. Office 2007 and 2010 1048576.and 2010 1048576.

CELL

A cell is defined as the space where a A cell is defined as the space where a specific row and column intersect. Each specific row and column intersect. Each cell is assigned a name according to its cell is assigned a name according to its column letter and row number. Data and column letter and row number. Data and formulas are entered into cells.formulas are entered into cells.

WORKSHEET

A worksheet is a “page” in the workbook of an A worksheet is a “page” in the workbook of an Excel document. A worksheet is a single excel Excel document. A worksheet is a single excel page with cells starting from cell A1 through to page with cells starting from cell A1 through to cell IV65536. By default every excel document cell IV65536. By default every excel document has three worksheets. You can add or remove has three worksheets. You can add or remove worksheets from a document.worksheets from a document.

WORKBOOK

A workbook is a Microsoft Excel file containing A workbook is a Microsoft Excel file containing one or more worksheets. A workbook is the file one or more worksheets. A workbook is the file you save anytime you create a new document in you save anytime you create a new document in MS-Excel.MS-Excel.

ACTIVE CELL

An active cell refers to the cell ready to receive data that An active cell refers to the cell ready to receive data that is entered in the Excel document. You can identify an is entered in the Excel document. You can identify an active cell by the thick black rectangular box that active cell by the thick black rectangular box that surrounds the borders of a cell. The name of the active surrounds the borders of a cell. The name of the active cell is always displayed in the name box. You can change cell is always displayed in the name box. You can change the location of the active cell by clicking in a new cell the location of the active cell by clicking in a new cell using the mouse or by using the cursor control keys on using the mouse or by using the cursor control keys on the keyboard to move between cells.the keyboard to move between cells.

AUTOSUM

This is a unique feature of the spreadsheet This is a unique feature of the spreadsheet application. Autosum as the name denotes is a application. Autosum as the name denotes is a function that the computer user can use to function that the computer user can use to automatically add the figures within a certain range automatically add the figures within a certain range of cells and view the result in a cell designated to of cells and view the result in a cell designated to display the result.display the result. IDENTIFYING CELL

NAMES

The cell name or address that makes the cell The cell name or address that makes the cell different from other cells. You need to know the cell different from other cells. You need to know the cell address or name in order to create a formula for address or name in order to create a formula for automating calculations in excel. A cell name automating calculations in excel. A cell name therefore bears the characteristics of a row and a therefore bears the characteristics of a row and a column. A cell name starts with the column letter column. A cell name starts with the column letter and is preceded by the row number. Thus a cell and is preceded by the row number. Thus a cell name will be displayed as C2 not 2Cname will be displayed as C2 not 2C

ADJUSTING COLUMN WIDTH

You can adjust the width of a column by using the You can adjust the width of a column by using the mouse to drag the borders of the column or entering mouse to drag the borders of the column or entering a value. Click on the box below to watch a video of a value. Click on the box below to watch a video of how to adjust column width.how to adjust column width.

ADJUSTING ROW HEIGHT

You can adjust the height of a row by using the You can adjust the height of a row by using the mouse to drag the borders of the row or entering mouse to drag the borders of the row or entering values. Click on the box below to watch a video of values. Click on the box below to watch a video of how to adjust row height. how to adjust row height.

ENTERING DATA

The process of entering data in spreadsheet is a The process of entering data in spreadsheet is a simple process. You only have to make sure of two simple process. You only have to make sure of two things. The first is that you are entering the correct things. The first is that you are entering the correct data and secondly, you are entering the data in the data and secondly, you are entering the data in the right cell or location. Click on the box below to watch right cell or location. Click on the box below to watch a video of how to enter data as described on page 47 a video of how to enter data as described on page 47 of the textbook.of the textbook.

ADDING FIGURES USING AUTOSUM

This function helps users of the software to add This function helps users of the software to add figures on the program automatically. Click on the figures on the program automatically. Click on the box below to watch a video of how to add figures box below to watch a video of how to add figures using AutoSum as described on page 47 of the using AutoSum as described on page 47 of the textbook.textbook.

EDITING A WORKBOOK

Click on the box below to watch a video of how to Click on the box below to watch a video of how to apply bold, underline and italics a workbook as apply bold, underline and italics a workbook as described on page 49 of the textbook.described on page 49 of the textbook.

EDITING A WORKBOOK

Click on the box below to watch a video of how to Click on the box below to watch a video of how to align text in a workbook as described on page 50 of align text in a workbook as described on page 50 of the textbook.the textbook.

EDITING A WORKBOOK

Click on the box below to watch a video of how to Click on the box below to watch a video of how to merge and centre text in a workbook as described on merge and centre text in a workbook as described on page 51 of the textbook.page 51 of the textbook.

EDITING A WORKBOOK

Click on the box below to watch a video of how to Click on the box below to watch a video of how to save a workbook as described on page 52 of the save a workbook as described on page 52 of the textbook.textbook.

INTRODUCTION

Scroll bars can be described as the horizontal Scroll bars can be described as the horizontal and vertical bars along the bottom and right and vertical bars along the bottom and right corners of an open window. Scroll bars appear corners of an open window. Scroll bars appear when all the items in a window cannot be when all the items in a window cannot be displayed on the computer screen. Scroll bars displayed on the computer screen. Scroll bars are designed for you to be able to click and are designed for you to be able to click and drag items so you can view the additional drag items so you can view the additional content of a window. content of a window.

SCROLL BARS

When you need to scroll only a short distance, you When you need to scroll only a short distance, you can use the scroll arrows. can use the scroll arrows.

SCROLL BARS

Click on the box below to watch a video of how to Click on the box below to watch a video of how to use the scroll bar as described on page 65 of the use the scroll bar as described on page 65 of the textbook.textbook.

USING THE HELP FACILITY

There is a system in MS-Word that gives users There is a system in MS-Word that gives users immediate access to definitions, instructions and immediate access to definitions, instructions and useful tips. This system is the Help system. The useful tips. This system is the Help system. The Type a question for help box on the menu bar is one Type a question for help box on the menu bar is one of the quickest ways to access the help system. of the quickest ways to access the help system. Click on the box below to see a demonstration of Click on the box below to see a demonstration of how to use the Help facility.how to use the Help facility.

INTRODUCTION

The computer system basically The computer system basically contains two things, these are contains two things, these are files and folders. files and folders.

A special tool in the Windows A special tool in the Windows operating system helps operating system helps computer users to identify computer users to identify missing or misplaced files and missing or misplaced files and folder, provided they have not folder, provided they have not been deleted. This tool is very been deleted. This tool is very useful in locating files useful in locating files regardless of the program regardless of the program used in their creation. used in their creation.

USING THE SEARCH TOOL

The search tool can be found on both the start The search tool can be found on both the start menu and most windows. Click on the box below to menu and most windows. Click on the box below to watch a video of how use the search tool to find a watch a video of how use the search tool to find a file or folder as described on page 70 of the file or folder as described on page 70 of the textbook.textbook.

INTRODUCTION

The benefits of information and communication The benefits of information and communication technology can be seen all around us. ICT has technology can be seen all around us. ICT has changed the way people do things. People use changed the way people do things. People use ICT in many ways to benefit themselves as well ICT in many ways to benefit themselves as well as other people.as other people.

Advances in ICT have been integrated into Advances in ICT have been integrated into medicine, making it very easy for doctors and medicine, making it very easy for doctors and their patients to work together. Doctors can their patients to work together. Doctors can use medical devices fitted with ICT to conduct use medical devices fitted with ICT to conduct surgeries and diagnosis without having to cut surgeries and diagnosis without having to cut any part of the patient.any part of the patient.

INTEGRATING ICT INTO SPECIFIC LEARNING AREAS

ICT can be used in many ways ICT can be used in many ways to encourage teaching and to encourage teaching and learning. Students can benefit learning. Students can benefit from the provisions made by from the provisions made by ICT to improve and enhance ICT to improve and enhance learning. Teachers can also learning. Teachers can also benefit from ICT. Let us look benefit from ICT. Let us look at how ICT has been at how ICT has been integrated into some learning integrated into some learning areas such as mathematics, areas such as mathematics, English and science.English and science.

MATHEMATICS

ICT has helped teachers and students to do ICT has helped teachers and students to do mathematics. The calculator is an ICT tool that has mathematics. The calculator is an ICT tool that has been used by most students and teachers for been used by most students and teachers for calculations. This eliminates mistakes from many calculations. This eliminates mistakes from many calculations. Also, spreadsheet applications can be calculations. Also, spreadsheet applications can be used for calculations. As you learnt earlier in this used for calculations. As you learnt earlier in this book, you can perform mathematical calculations book, you can perform mathematical calculations using a spreadsheet application. This is usually using a spreadsheet application. This is usually faster and easier.faster and easier.

ENGLISH

Studying the English language has been made Studying the English language has been made simple and possible through ICT tools such as the simple and possible through ICT tools such as the radio, word processor and computer games such as radio, word processor and computer games such as scrabble. Word processors can help to improve scrabble. Word processors can help to improve vocabulary, spelling and grammar. Some computer vocabulary, spelling and grammar. Some computer programs can help students to learn new words, programs can help students to learn new words, learn more synonyms and antonyms.learn more synonyms and antonyms.

SCIENCE

As already mentioned, the Brilliant As already mentioned, the Brilliant Science and Maths quiz and the PSI Science and Maths quiz and the PSI distance education program can help distance education program can help and encourage students to appreciate and encourage students to appreciate the study of science. There are many the study of science. There are many softwares on the market that help softwares on the market that help students to see pictures of the things students to see pictures of the things they are learning about. Teachers can they are learning about. Teachers can use the internet to find better teaching use the internet to find better teaching techniques to learn about science. techniques to learn about science.

In addition to this, Microsoft Encarta In addition to this, Microsoft Encarta has specially designed features to aid has specially designed features to aid students in the study of science as students in the study of science as well.well.

BENEFITS OF USING ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

There are many benefits of using ICT in teaching There are many benefits of using ICT in teaching and learning. Some of the benefits include:and learning. Some of the benefits include:

•• Makes learning easyMakes learning easyStudents gain access to many examples and Students gain access to many examples and

practical practical information as well as memory techniques information as well as memory techniques

when when they make use of ICT tools. The calculator for they make use of ICT tools. The calculator for

example makes calculations easy.example makes calculations easy.

BENEFITS OF USING ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

• Makes learning interestingMakes learning interesting

ICT tools do not require that students need to ICT tools do not require that students need to be in be in

the classroom always to learn. Students can the classroom always to learn. Students can be in be in

the comfort of their homes and learn. ICT the comfort of their homes and learn. ICT tools also tools also

make colourful images available. Students make colourful images available. Students can play can play

computer games whilst learning. e.g. Playing computer games whilst learning. e.g. Playing scrabble helps improve vocabulary.scrabble helps improve vocabulary.

BENEFITS OF USING ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

•• Makes students learn at their own paceMakes students learn at their own pace

With ICT tools, students can continue With ICT tools, students can continue learning at learning at

anytime of the day. Students can take their anytime of the day. Students can take their time and time and

learn new concepts. They can choose to learn learn new concepts. They can choose to learn more more

about a particular topic by surfing the web or about a particular topic by surfing the web or Encarta wither before it is taught in school or Encarta wither before it is taught in school or

afterafter

BENEFITS OF USING ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

•• Helps deprived studentsHelps deprived students

Students in deprived communities where Students in deprived communities where there is there is

not enough materials to teach certain not enough materials to teach certain subjects can subjects can

still benefit from watching the long distance still benefit from watching the long distance education program on television.education program on television.

BENEFITS OF USING ICT IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

•• Encourages team work and self developmentEncourages team work and self development

Television programs like the brilliant science Television programs like the brilliant science and and

maths quiz and the radio program what do maths quiz and the radio program what do you you

know encourage students to work as a team know encourage students to work as a team to win to win

competitions and learn hard to develop their competitions and learn hard to develop their intellect. This all helps to make teaching and intellect. This all helps to make teaching and learning better.learning better.

INTRODUCTION

The internet, also known as the information The internet, also known as the information super highway grants several users the super highway grants several users the opportunity to access information of all sorts opportunity to access information of all sorts at any given time. There is no limit to the at any given time. There is no limit to the information found on the internet and internet information found on the internet and internet users only need to look at the right place to users only need to look at the right place to find the information they need.find the information they need.

Internet search engines are powerful tools in Internet search engines are powerful tools in the hands of internet users who know and the hands of internet users who know and understand how to use them properly.understand how to use them properly.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEARCH ENGINES

The common internet search engines are ask.com, The common internet search engines are ask.com, google.com and yahoo.comgoogle.com and yahoo.com

There are three different types of search engines. There are three different types of search engines. These include indexers or crawlers, directories and These include indexers or crawlers, directories and metasearchers or metacrawlers.metasearchers or metacrawlers.

INDEXERS

These are search engines that use an automated These are search engines that use an automated method of collecting information. They are referred method of collecting information. They are referred to as crawlers because these programs crawl to as crawlers because these programs crawl through the Internet twenty four hours a day, through the Internet twenty four hours a day, cataloguing or indexing web sites. The results of cataloguing or indexing web sites. The results of indexers are usually full of worthless information, indexers are usually full of worthless information, but if you take your time to go through the results, but if you take your time to go through the results, you will find the information you are looking for. you will find the information you are looking for. Examples of indexers are include AltaVista, Excite, Examples of indexers are include AltaVista, Excite, HotBot and Magellan.HotBot and Magellan.

DIRECTORIES

Directories rely on human beings catloging Directories rely on human beings catloging websites. Due to the human factor, these search websites. Due to the human factor, these search engines have a higher degree of accuracy but do engines have a higher degree of accuracy but do not display a lot of search results. Due to the not display a lot of search results. Due to the human factor, they are not frequently updated. human factor, they are not frequently updated. Some examples of directories are Galaxy, Some examples of directories are Galaxy, LookSmart and Lycos.LookSmart and Lycos.

METACRAWLERS

Metacrawlers are the best of the three types of Metacrawlers are the best of the three types of search engines. Metacrawlers use multiple search search engines. Metacrawlers use multiple search programs to look through the databases of multiple programs to look through the databases of multiple search engines to deliver the results as one page of search engines to deliver the results as one page of results. Some examples of metacrawlers are results. Some examples of metacrawlers are Dogpile, Infid and Google.Dogpile, Infid and Google.

USING SEARCH ENGINES

When using a search engine, remember:When using a search engine, remember:

• Topics should not be too broadTopics should not be too broad• Relevant information always appear at the topRelevant information always appear at the top

USING SEARCH ENGINES

Click on the box below to watch a video of how to Click on the box below to watch a video of how to use the Google search engine to find information.use the Google search engine to find information.