Move Over Google?

Let's be honest, when we talk about searching the Web, we really mean using Google. In recent years it's become far and away the most popular search engine by any method of calculation - according to the stats I get from this blog, around 90% of visitors who have stumbled upon this site from an internet search have used Google to get here.<br /><br />Yet could there finally be a challenger as the 'place to go' to get answers from the Web? Later this month the <a href="http://www.wolframalpha.com/" target="_blank">WolframAlpha</a> service is set to be launched; this is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8026331.stm" target="_blank">not so much a search engine as a program that directly answers questions</a>, instead of displaying a list of web pages that may contain the information you are looking for. This means that you will be able to type in questions in natural language and (hopefully!) receive accurate replies.<br /><br />Not surprisingly, the promises made about the new service have got various bloggers and columnists rather excited. The more ICT-savvy types among you may want to read <a href="http://www.twine.com/item/122mz8lz9-4c/wolfram-alpha-is-coming-and-it-could-be-as-important-as-google" target="_blank">this article</a> which goes into a little more detail; the rest of you would probably be advised to check the site regularly to find out when it goes live. Although of course if Wolfram Alpha really is as good as some are already claiming, then you'll surely be hearing about it again soon...

Move Over Google?

Let's be honest, when we talk about searching the Web, we really mean using Google. In recent years it's become far and away the mos...

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Latest DCSF Research

The DCSF often releases a collection of research reports at the end of each month; here's the pick of the latest batch:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR102.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Drivers and Barriers to Educational Success</span></a> examines why young people from poor families are more likely to experience lower achievement in school, and more likely to participate in a<br />range of risky behaviours as teenagers</li><li><a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-EPPI-09-01.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Impact of Adult Support Staff on Pupils and Mainstream Schools: a Systematic Review of Evidence</span></a> is a brief summary of research in this area</li><li>Those students who have recently been enquiring about safeguarding children may be interested in looking at <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RBX-09-05-ES.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Child, the Family and the GP: Tensions and Conflicts of Interest in Safeguarding Children</span></a></li><li>Following on neatly from yesterday's post, the <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR105.pdf" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Primary School Curriculum Omnibus Survey (March 2009)</a> asked parents what they thought of the existing curriculum, in light of Sir Jim Rose's proposed changes.<br /></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>e</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>Drivers and Barriers to Educational Success</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>rs and Barriers to Educational Success</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>D</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>Drivers and Barriers to Educational Success</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>rivers and Barriers to Educational Success</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>rivers and Barriers to Educational Success</b></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>rivers and Barriers to Educational Success</b></span></span>

Latest DCSF Research

The DCSF often releases a collection of research reports at the end of each month; here's the pick of the latest batch: Drivers and Barr...

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