Limit Search Results to a Specific Reading Level?

Today I was reading some of the different posts on lifehacker.com. I stumbled upon a post about limiting search results to a specific reading level. Apparently Google has this option in their advanced search options. I had no idea that they had this. You now also have the ability to click on the more tools option on the left side of the screen to filter reading levels as well. Google has 3 reading level options. The levels are: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. This is pretty cool if you ask me. Looking at it from a teacher's standpoint I would have to say that I'm impressed but am craving more. How cool would it be to have something like that for school use? Something like this that breaks down the difficulty of the reading for K-12 students or even just elementary students could be very useful in education. It does not limit the search results unless specifically asked to. It does however provide labels showing the reading level of each site found.

Lately I have been addicted to this game called Angry Birds. Angry Birds is a puzzle game. The point of the game is to "pop" all of the green pigs because they have stolen your eggs. In each level the pigs are behind different barriers. Your job is to shoot these different colored birds (all of which have different abilities) at the pigs while trying to get the most possible points. You also want to try to use the least amount of birds to beat each level.

How does this relate to Visual Literacy? Simple, it is a very colorful and interactive game that involves a great deal of problem solving. I believe even though this game sounds simple and does not have a very strong story line could be a great game to have in classrooms. The strategy and problem solving in this game allow for it to be beneficial to education. This is because it trains your brain and challenges you to think about different approaches to a problem.

My Second Life Tour

Recently I have been exploring the vast virtual world of Second Life.  Second Life is a virtual world with that has something for practically everyone.  I must admit that Second Life does not interest me very much.  There is a lot of benefits of using Second Life and it can be a great way to communicate and collaborate with others.

I was challenged to see how I could incorporate this into education.  Seeing as I am an elementary education major I found it to be difficult to find things that worked for elementary school students.  I decided that I could use Second Life as a way to introduce different places in the world to the students.  These locations in Second Life seemed like a great way for the students to get these experiences and see replicas of the different locations. 

Cologne Cathedral

This is a 3D replica of the Cologne Cathedral.  The Cologne Cathedral is a famous roman catholic church in Cologne, Germany.  They started building it in 1248 and completed it in 1880.  With this 3D replica you are able to walk around and see how it looks outside and in.

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Koelner%20Dom/27/115/35

St. Louis Arch

This replica of the St. Louis Arch allows you to go underneath the base of the arch.  Down there you are able to learn about St. Louis and also get the chance to see the view atop the virtual St. Louis Arch.  The St. Louis Arch is a monument that represents the westward expansion of the United States.  It was completed in 1965.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/St%20Louis%20Island/183/128/31

Replica of Great Wall

This is a replica of the Great Wall of China.  You are able to walk around this small replica of the Great Wall of China.  It is one of the new 7 wonders of the world.  They started building the wall sometime between 200-206 BC and finished in the 1460s.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/China%20Sichuan/131/15/24

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is where the pope resides.  It was built between 1473 and 1481.  The Sistine Chapel is also known for the famous painted ceiling.  Michelangelo painted the ceiling between 1508 and 1512.  Walk around and check out this replica that even has the paintings.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vassar/166/88/24

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a famous cathedral in London.  At one time this was the tallest building in London.  This is a replica of the cathedral that allows you to walk around and see the inside of this famous building.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Grace/73/225/129

The Villa Capra “La Rotunda”

This is a replica of the Villa Capra “La Rotunda.”  It is located just outside Vicenza, Italy.  This is a marvelous house.  The World Heritage Site now conserves it.  You are able to look around the house and visit the surrounding area in second life.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Westphalia/69/207/26

Africa Hot Air Balloon Tour

This is a virtual area in second life that shows the different aspects of the African wilderness.  It is really cool to see all the different landscapes and animals.  The hot air balloon tour is free and is a great way tool to explore Africa.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Africa/184/120/27

Natural History Museum of Vienna

This is a replica of the Natural History Museum of Vienna.  It was built between 1872 and 1891.  It is located in Austria.  The Natural History Museum of Vienna is one of the most known museums in the world.  In this replica they have included the real exhibits as well.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forum%20Europe/63/97/31

  Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is located in San Francisco, California.  It crosses the opening of the San Francisco Bay.  This is considered to be one of the new world wonders.  This replica allows you to experience what it would be like to cross the real Golden Gate Bridge.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tech/61/156/45