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Our Favorite Internet in the Classroom Websites
Through these pages I hope to provide current awareness of the latest and best Web-based resources relating to classroom practice. The reviews will include important reports and news items, top portals and webliographies, sites focused on classroom management, subject resource and lesson plan sites, online pedagogical structures, e-zines, discussion groups and mailing lists.

Kathy Schrock - WebQuest in Our Future
Two of the great success stories of Web-based education have been Bernie Dodge's WEBQUEST project and Kathy Schrock's GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS. It therefore comes as no surprise that Kathy Schrock has developed this extremely useful and comprehensive guide to using WebQuests.

The aim is to foster strong motivation, focused creativity and critical thinking in students through the application of current resources to real-world problems. Follow the links at this site for an exciting introduction to a proven model of best classroom practice.
Avg. visitor rating 40 star

The Web-based Classroom: an Appraisal
The September 2001 edition of 'From Now On' carries Graeme Wilson's timely article: 'THE PROMISE OF ONLINE EDUCATION: EL DORADO OR FOOL'S GOLD?', warning against the problems which may arise if Web-based classroom solutions are embraced without adequate planning. The author points out that:
  • The computer is one of many learning tools, to be integrated into the learning process if and when required.
  • Skills in the critical evaluation of content are crucial.
  • Corporate e-learning solutions may not be geared to delivering comprehensive educational outcomes.
  • Learning styles should determine the choice of learning tools.
  • Online curricula should accommodate individual differences.
  • Assessment tools need to place a premium on creativity and critical thinking.
  • Online courseware should be designed to foster problem-solving skills.
  • Professional development must keep pace with the availability and implementation of IT solutions.
  • Quoting Yogi Berra: "You’ve got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there."

Read the whole article for a salutary perspective on what may yet become another of education's sacred cows (or is that white elephants?). An extensive bibliography is included.
Avg. visitor rating 50 star

Marco Polo Arts - ARTSEDGE
ARTSEDGE is the newest component of Marco Polo's suite of exemplary educational resources; presented by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, it aims to promote the integration of arts education programs across the curriculum, and to enhance educational processes through the use of Information Technology.

The site's 3 basic resource groups are: NewsBreak - a daily update on news in education, some emphasis on the arts. Teaching Materials - standards-based resources aimed at integrating the arts into classroom teaching, and links to other resources across the curriculum. Professional Resources - contact people, places, organisations; monographs, presentations, workshops, conferences; distance education and online learning issues; standards, exemplars and best practice; papers, reports, articles, reviews; advocacy materials, both online and in print; practical guides and tools.

A User Manual deals with issues of usage, selection criteria, submissions, permissions and copyright, privacy, and appropriate use; the Community Center facilitates an exchange of ideas via email and listservs.

ARTSEDGE is huge, but well worth navigating for anyone involved in integrating the arts across the gamut of education.
Avg. visitor rating 50 star

Enliven Science with Online Projects
Katie Noonan's "All About Online Projects" is part of Access Excellence's "Classrooms of the 21st Century" suite of papers on technology in education.

Online projects are interactive collaborative exercises especially appropriate to the hands-on development of the principles and practices of scientific method; there are several access-points to online projects on the Access Excellence site - they range from simple email exchanges and data-sharing to more formal research protocols. Classroom time and work commitments vary tremendously; some are quite short and may not even require Internet facilities in the classroom. The article explores the topic further under these headings: "Why online projects?" - benefits to students include the opportunity to do real science, communication skills development, increased motivation, practice in using technology; "Challenges for teachers" - time commitments, scheduling; "Best way to choose an online project" - interest, motivation, resources; "Risks in participation"; "Can anyone start an Online Project?"; "Keys to Success".

And finally, there are links to online projects designed to inject that extra element of real-life immediacy and relevance into your Science lab/classroom.
Avg. visitor rating 50 star

Riverdeep - a Rich Brew
This vortal dishes out a generous helping of brain food for all online classroom stakeholders: students and teachers will appreciate the convenience of having the Classroom Flyer newsletter delivered as e-mail - it combines regular features such as "Today in History", "Use the News", and "Upcoming Forum Topics" with a rich selection of Webquests and other interactive Web-based resources.

Other offerings include: Riverdeep Current, a magazine carrying up-to-date articles; science simulation demos; CNN Student News - current events, interviews, time lines, graphics, streaming video and lesson plans; the huge Living Library of articles, standard reference works, audio and video clips - free 30-day trial subscription available, and samples in the sidebar; and NASA Connect's free integrated mathematics/science/technology elearning programs for Years 5-8. And there's more, but you'll have to see for yourselves.
Avg. visitor rating 50 star

Our Favorite Internet in the Classroom Discussion Groups
Are You Well Connected?
You will certainly improve your connectivity with CONNECTED TEACHER - Classroom Connect's free professional forum and e-mail list service. Through the Teacher Search Database, members can identify and communicate with like-minded colleagues to consult on collaborative projects and all things educational; the Teacher Talk message board provides another avenue for the exchange of ideas and advice. Beginning teachers will find a sympathetic ear here, and plenty of old hands prepared to pass on the distillation of accumulated experience. Click on "Sign up today" to register for full access to this extensive service.
Avg. visitor rating 30 star
Teachers.Net Chatboards for 24/7 Mentoring
The Mentor Support Center at Teachers.Net comprises a chatboard Network providing 24/7 peer-to-peer mentoring across the gamut of K-12 teaching practice. As well as the basic Teacher and Administrator Chatboards, there are another 76 forums at last count, grouped in 10 areas of concern: General Interest, Curriculum, English, Language, Project, Career Support, Tech, NBPTS Standards, Regional, and the Teachers.Net Message Center. Recent additions to this premier professional development resource are the Kindergarten, Montessori and Prof Readings Chatboards. Regional forums cater to the special interests of Australian, British and Canadian teachers, as well as serving the particular needs of Americans in California, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. Bookmark the Teachers.Net Chatboards for instant access to peer-to-peer professional development and consultation on classroom resources. Or if you just need to lighten up a little, dip into the Classroom Humor ChatBoard: you may even feel the urge to make a contribution.
Avg. visitor rating 4.5 star
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