Unicorn Sparkes #03

Hi everyone, welcome back to my blog! It is currently week 3 and what we learned on Monday is Search Engines & Online Database. What does it mean by search engines and online database? It is a web tool that allow users to enter keywords and find information on websites contained in its database. For examples, we have Google and Yahoo. These search engines use software that collects data from the Web & include in its database. For your information, each search engine has its own database.

We also learned about parts of search engine. There are 4 parts of search engine:

• Database - to store references to Webpages
• Web crawlers - to find and compile indexes of web pages
• User interface
• Information Retrieval System (IRS)

1. Database - it is a storage where all indexed webpages are stored. It contains only essential information of a Web Page. This is where the user's query is matched.
2. Web crawlers - It is an automated program / bet. It crawls all over the Web Page by collecting information such as - keywords, titles, synonyms, access frequency and relevancy. Information is indexed and shared in database.
3. User interface - User friendly site where users may input query and search results are presented.
4. Information Retrieval System - System used to match the users query to indexed web pages found in database. Results are presented in rank according to relevance.

After that, we also learned about Specialized Search Engine. It is a search engine tailored to search specific area. Its database only stored Web pages relevant to a specific field:

• Google Scholar
• Educated World
• Art encyclopedia
• Pipl.com

Meta Search Engine

It is a search engine that matches the users query to multiple search engines. For example:

• MetaCrawler
• Savvy Search
• Dogpile

Not to forget, we also learned about new topic on this week, Computer Mediated Communication and ESL. What is CMC actually?

• any form of communication or interaction between 2 people via separate computer through network communication.

Asynchronous CMC (Delay - not real time)

• Communication is not synchronized
• Messages are not exchanged and replied immediately.
• For example: e-mail, online discussion, internet forums and message boards.

Synchronous CMS (Not delay - real time)

• Communication between participants are synchronized.
• Messages can be exchanged and replied immediately.
• Known as direct communications
• For example: internet chat rooms, messenger, video/audio conference.

There are advantages and disadvantages for CMC.

Advantages:

• No distance barrier
• Mitigates time as a barrier
• Makes collaborations much easier
• Social influences and detriments are reduced or eliminated

Disadvantages:

• Inhibitions related to the use of technology
• Problems with access to technology
• Lack of socio-emotional and nonverbal cues
• Lack of real human contact

Instructional Courseware Design (ID)

What is ID?

• It is used to create instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skill more efficient, effective, and appealing
• It is consists of figuring out the needs of the learner, defining the learning objectives, and creating some intervention to achieve objectives

Learning Outcomes (LO)

What should the learners achieve at the end of the learning experience

Gives an aim to the learning experience

Learning Outcomes can be measurable to assess the success of learners

ADDIE MODEL

What is ADDIE MODEL?

A framework for the development of instructional coursework

• Analysis
• Design
• Development
• Implementation
• Evaluation

There are five components of ADDIE, there are:

1. Analysis

• Identifies the objectives, learners level and needs
• Who are the learners?
• What is the desired behaviour of achievement?
• What are the delivery options?
• What are the learning theories applied?

2. Design

• Identifying and developing plans and strategies targeted to achieve the project goals
• Involves dealing with the learning objectives, learners needs, learning theories, materials, exercises and content
• Creating a “storyboard” of what the courseware should look like

3. Development

• Developers create and assemble content and assets based on the blueprint in the design phase
• Creators develop graphics and materials and integrate them into the courseware
• Testers check for bugs and errors

4. Implementation

• Develop procedures for the implementation of the courseware
• Training facilitators and learners to use the courseware
• Create a lesson plan where the courseware can be used

5.Evaluation

• Evaluating the impact of the courseware
• Formative evaluation
• Effectiveness 
• Usefulness
• Relevancy
• Summative evaluation
• Effectiveness of the courseware as a whole
• should be adopted, continued, or modified for improvement