Explains the Google Pigeon Rank system, where flocks of specially trained pigeons gather answers to search queries to provide that Google edge.
A completely nonsense site of course (an April Fool's Day joke in fact) - but how long will it take students to realise that? Often a student will consider the site host before considering the value of the actual content. Useful for teaching information literacy.
A site with resources and strategies for using technology in education. Contains a lot of resources related to digital citizenship, especially information literacy. More useful for teachers than students.
The New Scientist's technology section has a lot of useful information, and a lot of it very easy to understand too. A useful source for articles for discussion, the technology section also breaks down into smaller topics like Computer Crime, Robotics, and Weapons.
Some of the "Instant Expert" guides in here are well worth using in class, and some of the articles may also be suitable for Paper 2.
(subscription required for some articles)
Too complex for students but useful background for the teacher. Smart sensor networks - technologies and applications for green growth
12-Jan-2010
Sensor networks play an important role in tackling environmental challenges. Sensor applications in smart power grids, smart buildings and smart industrial processes make significant contributions to more efficient resource use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. This report gives an overview of sensor technologies and applications, and quantifies their environmental impacts.
Thinkuknow was created by the team at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. Latest information and resources on the sites students like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Some games have interesting examples (i.e. email game).
Simple but effective site - it gives electronics manufacturers a rank out of 10 for their environmental policies, including take-back policies and use of toxic chemicals. Updated often, and allows you to track whether manufacturers have risen or fallen in the rankings. Last updated January 2010.
(the links on the left of the page contain lots of useful information and multimedia about e-waste too).
This website accompanies the book of the same title, a must read for ITGS teachers.
The website includes lots of videos of robots in action, images of robots with detailed captions, videos of the author's appearances including a TED conference, a classroom discussion guide, and lots of information about the book including a lengthy excerpt. First rate material. Goes beyond robotics with excellent explanations of the technology.
