Web Resources
Teaching Resources
These web sites usually include lesson plans for different subjects and levels, teaching tips, learning activities, references to contentware and links to other cites.
Examples of teaching resources can be found in the following web sites:
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PBS Teacher Source
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| http://www.pbs.org/teachersource |
| The site offers more than 3,000 lesson plans and activities on arts and literature, health and fitness, social studies, mathematics, science, technology and early childhood, in addition to a guide for educational television programs. |
| Carol Gossett's Kindergarten Connection |
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http://www.kconnect.com
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This site offers lesson plans, book reviews, tips and links to other resources.
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| 700+ Great Sites |
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http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/amazing.html
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| BrainPop |
| http://www.brainpop.com |
| Brain Pop is an interactive site that includes quizzes, activities, information and a large selection of movies on science and technology. Using cartoon animation, the movies explain in simple words and graphics the process of photosynthesis or fuel formation, or other physics, chemistry and biology topics, including health education. The site also has a selection of movies about technology, such as how radio works, what is the binary system, and others. |
| Maths Year 2000 |
| http://www.mathsyear2000.org |
| This site is pleasant for the eyes and rich in information related to mathematics. It includes games and activities at different levels of complexity, history, book reviews, tests, a database that can be used for classroom practice, and links to other math-related sites. |
| TESL: Lessons |
| http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~iteslj/links/TESL/Lessons |
| Resources for Students and Teachers of French as a Second Language |
| http://www.uottawa.ca/~weinberg/french.html |
| These sites link to lesson plans, exercises, and other resources for teaching languages to non-native speakers. |
| Discovery Channel School |
| http://school.discovery.com/ |
| Provides lesson plans, ideas for learning games, Web links, and e-mail discussions. |
Simulations
Simulations are educational objects that demonstrate a function or a relationship among different variable. They allow learners to interact with the product by changing values or conditions and observe what happens. Simulations may be used to introduce a topic, demonstrate a concept or perform experiments that cannot be performed in lab-based situations.
Many of the web-based simulations are in the form of Java applets title= [1] . Many of them are free to use on the web without logging into the site, and some can be downloaded to a hard disk or a CD and used off-line. Instructions on how to download, when allowed, are usually available on the web site.
If Java applets do not play in your browser make sure that you have Java enabled in your browser. For Internet Explorer on Windows go to Internet Options", click the Security Tab, and make sure that "Java permissions" are enabled. You also should enable "scripting of Java applets". In addition, you may need to get Java software if you don't have Java, or have an old version.
Simulations may be used by teachers and students to supplement the curriculum and enhance the teaching/learning process. They may also be used as building blocks in created multimedia modules that cover curricular units.
The web is full of simulations that cover different elements of science and mathematics. Below is a list of web sites that offer such simulations:
| http://www.public.iastate.edu/~abc/java/lessons.html |
| http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/java/indexPopup.html |
| http://www.ericharshbarger.org/java/ |
| http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/applist/applets.htm |
| http://webphysics.davidson.edu/Applets/Applets.html |
| http://teach-nology.com/web_tools/web_site/java_applets/ |
| http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/java/default.php |
| http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/index.html |
| http://www.scienceshareware.com/ |
| http://www.exploratorium.edu/climate/index.html |
| http://www.explorelearning.com/ |
Animations
Animations inject life into otherwise still images. Although they do not depict reality as photographs do, they provide movement. That can be used to motivate learners, demonstrate a concept or emphasize a particular phenomenon.
Animations may be copied into browser based programs. GIF animations may be also copied and pasted into a PowerPoint Presentation and maintain their animation features.
The web is full of very powerful and interesting animations, covering a wide range of educational subjects. Below is a sample of web sites that offer such animations:
| http://bestanimations.com/ |
| http://www.animationlibrary.com/a-l/ |
| http://www.animationfactory.com/animations/ |
| http://www.gifanimations.com/ |
| http://www.myphysicslab.com/ |
Exploration
The web offers unique opportunities to explore scientific phenomena, inspect volcano sites, dive into the oceans, go on nature expeditions, and joint scientists in field trips. This feature of the web expands the horizons of the learner and brings the world into the educational institution.
Instances of explorations offered by the Internet may be integrated into the teaching/learning process and/or used for individual or group research.
The web offers many opportunities for exploration. Below are some examples:
MadSci Network
http://www.madsci.org/
Based at the Washington University Medical School, USA, the site includes a network of actual scientists that answer questions posed by students. The questions and answers can be accessed through a search engine. The site also has descriptions of experiments (not online) that teachers and students can replicate, and links to virtual museums, libraries and sites related to science.
The Virtual Blackboard
http://www.virtualblackboard.com/
The site provides (for free) virtual web tours for K-12 students on different subjects including history and social studies, mathematics, science, technology, language, music and fine arts. It also offers tutorials on how to create individual virtual tours (teachers can download the software for free to test, but individual licenses are sold in the US for $25).
Science Learning Network
http://www.sln.org
A consortium of twelve science museums around the globe is producing high quality inquiry-based k-6 science learning modules that are made available through this site. The topics tend to be related to current events or otherwise of interest to students. Some of the modules can only be used interactively on the Web, but others can be used in classrooms.
Amazing Travel Bureau (National Geographic Society)
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/crittercam/index.html
The site provides expeditions for exploration of nature.
MaMaMedia.com
http://www.mamamedia.com/areas/romp/home.html?src=sdwr
The site allows for exploration of different countries of the world.
Interactive Mars Habitat
http://www.exploremarsnow.org/
This web site shows how it might be feasible for a manned expedition to live on Mars.
Museums and Exhibitions
The web offers valuable opportunities to visit world renowned museums and exhibitions. These virtual visits can be used for individual/group research or for supplementing the curriculum.
The web offers many opportunities for tours of museums and exhibits. Below are some examples:
Nobel e-Museum
http://www.nobel.se
The Nobel e-Museum is an online hall of science and culture. "This site has a unique way of introducing the Nobel Prizes that goes beyond the mere presentation of facts. These introductions, aptly called "Educational", are made in the form of games, experiments, and simulated environments ready to be explored and discovered. The productions are aimed at the young, particularly the 14-18 age groups, who may know about the Nobel Prizes and the Prize winners but often lack a deeper understanding about the prize awarded works."
Virtual Libraries Museum Pages
http://www.icom.org/vlmp
This site provides links to many of the world's art museums having parts of their collection on the Web.
World Art Treasures
http://www.bergerfoundation.ch/
This site provides an extensive collection of photos of great art in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
Virtual Tours
http://www.virtualfreesites.com/museums.html
This site links to other sites that "present over 300 Museums, Exhibits, Points of Special Interest and Real-Time journeys which offer online multimedia guided tours on the Web."
The Louvre Museum
http://www.louvre.fr/louvrea.htm
The site traces the history of the Louvre, presents a selection of the works of art from each of the seven departments of the museum, and offers a virtual tour of about 50 rooms of the museum.
Educational Games and Activities
The web offers a vast amount of educational games - many of them animated and simulated puzzles and individual activities. They may be used to motivate students as a new concept is introduced or to apply what has already been learned.
Below is a sample of web sites that provide educational games and activities:
Chateau Meddybemps
http://www.meddybemps.com
This site contains games, stories, book reviews and guidelines for parents and teachers of young children, particularly children from pre-school to Grade 3.
FunBrain.com
http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html
This site, from the Learning Network, includes educational games for children of different ages, as well as information for parents and teachers. The quiz lab gives teachers access to quizzes on math, language, history and other subjects and allows them to create their own quizzes. The basic lab is free but access to the advanced lab requires an annual fee.
Words and Pictures(Phonics)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/wordsandpictures/
"A fun packed site for 5-7 year olds with poems, games and activities to help with reading and writing."
Alfy: The Kids' Portal Playground
http://www.alfy.com
The site is for early elementary children and includes java-based games and other resources (Macromedia Shockwave Player required - a free download)
Quia: Where Learning Takes You
http://www.quia.com/
Most activities in this site are geared to children in upper elementary school years and above (for instance, in mathematics, activities range from two-digit addition to algebraic equations). Some of the resources are accessible only to subscribers.
Jeux Pour Enfants
http://www.jeuxpourenfants.org/
This site has interactive games for children from pre-school to age 10. The games are divided by age group and include puzzles, coloring, and others.
Interactive Mathematics on the Internet
http://wims.unice.fr
This site contains a number of interactive games, graphics and exercises on mathematics, including algebra, geometry and other topics. It is multilingual: French, English, Italian and Chinese
Atlandia.com
http://www.atlandia.com
This Puerto Rican site has a number of games for children in early elementary school grades, including puzzles, color schemes, letter games, and others. It has also online fairy tales and an interactive section where children can write their own stories. The site is in Spanish.
Educational Games and Activities
The web offers a vast amount of educational games - many of them animated and simulated puzzles and individual activities. They may be used to motivate students as a new concept is introduced or to apply what has already been learned.
Below is a sample of web sites that provide educational games and activities:
Chateau Meddybemps
http://www.meddybemps.com
This site contains games, stories, book reviews and guidelines for parents and teachers of young children, particularly children from pre-school to Grade 3.
FunBrain.com
http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html
This site, from the Learning Network, includes educational games for children of different ages, as well as information for parents and teachers. The quiz lab gives teachers access to quizzes on math, language, history and other subjects and allows them to create their own quizzes. The basic lab is free but access to the advanced lab requires an annual fee.
Words and Pictures(Phonics)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/wordsandpictures/
"A fun packed site for 5-7 year olds with poems, games and activities to help with reading and writing."
Alfy: The Kids' Portal Playground
http://www.alfy.com
The site is for early elementary children and includes java-based games and other resources (Macromedia Shockwave Player required - a free download)
Quia: Where Learning Takes You
http://www.quia.com/
Most activities in this site are geared to children in upper elementary school years and above (for instance, in mathematics, activities range from two-digit addition to algebraic equations). Some of the resources are accessible only to subscribers.
Jeux Pour Enfants
http://www.jeuxpourenfants.org/
This site has interactive games for children from pre-school to age 10. The games are divided by age group and include puzzles, coloring, and others.
Interactive Mathematics on the Internet
http://wims.unice.fr
This site contains a number of interactive games, graphics and exercises on mathematics, including algebra, geometry and other topics. It is multilingual: French, English, Italian and Chinese
Atlandia.com
http://www.atlandia.com
This Puerto Rican site has a number of games for children in early elementary school grades, including puzzles, color schemes, letter games, and others. It has also online fairy tales and an interactive section where children can write their own stories. The site is in Spanish.
Library Web Sites
The web acts as a reference library for teachers and students. It includes a wide range of books, articles, and reference documents, such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. The web reference materials have at least two advantages over hard copies:
- There are usually hyperlinks that take the reader in one click to a related text within the document or to another document.
- The web is searchable with very high speed.
Below are two "library" web sites:
The Internet Public Library
http://www.ipl.org/
This site serves as an index of links to Books, Magazines and Newspapers, dictionaries, encyclopedias and other reference materials. All are available on the Internet.
On-Line Books Page
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/
The Online Books Page is a website that facilitates access to tens of thousand of books that are freely readable over the Internet.
Reviewed Filtering Systems
BECTA has conducted a review of internet safety software applications - including filtering, monitoring and blocking applications - that are currently available on the market. See
http://www.safety.ngfl.gov.uk/schools/document.php3?D=d55
The aim of the review was to cover internet safety applications that can be utilized at the client, proxy server or router end of an internet feed. In general, these applications can be installed and managed by ICT administrators at individual institutions although some may need third-party set up and configuration.
The results of the review are expressed in the form of a matrix comparing the main features of the reviewed products.
- Matrix for applications suitable for small peer to peer or client/server networks (less than 50 PCs) is available at: http://www.safety.ngfl.gov.uk/schools/matrix_small.php
- Matrix for applications suitable for medium to large client/server networks (more than 50 PCs) is available at: http://www.safety.ngfl.gov.uk/schools/matrix_large.php
There are other sources of lists of reviewed Internet filters. Below are some of them:
- 10 Internet filters reviewed in a side-by-side in-depth comparison
http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/?ttreng=1&ttrkey=Internet+Filtering
- Filters tested and recommended by leading child protection organizations
http://www.safetysurf.com/
- Keeping kids safe - Internet filters
http://www.cleartraffic.com/filters.htm
How to Evaluate Filtering Product
One of the best sources of guidance to address this question is presented at the ICT Advice web site of BECTA (British Educational Communications and technology Agency):
http://www.ictadvice.org.uk/index.php?section=te&rid=210&catcode=as_sof_02
The following information is derived from this web site.
Before considering possible filtering products, you should first:
- Identify your requirements for a filtering system as accurately and as comprehensively as possible: there are many different filtering techniques and products available
- Review your current network infrastructure and internet connectivity, to ensure that you choose a filter that will work with your system
- Consider if a filter can meet all your requirements
- Consider where and when a filtering system would be required.
Issues to consider when evaluating filtering products:
- How does the filter work? For instance, does it use 'allow/deny' lists, keyword matching or other techniques?
- Does the filter recognize any third-party content rating systems?
- Can the system accommodate different user categories and recognize different users and computers on your network? (You may want a group of pupils to have access to specific material during a particular lesson in a particular place, such as a biology laboratory.)
- How 'intelligent' is the filter? How well does it distinguish between unsuitable and useful sites?
- How can you, the customer, find out what is being blocked by the filtering software? Does the software vendor publish its criteria for evaluating sites or the principles behind their 'allow/deny' lists or objectionable keyword lists?
- How frequently is the filtering system updated? How is this update made available?
- How easy is it to disable or bypass the filter?
- Is the filter flexible, customizable and responsive to change?
Before making a commitment to purchase, you should ask about:
- the level at which the site-blocking system operates: some filters block at the host level (blocking all content from that ISP), whilst others can block at directory and file level
- how frequently 'allow/deny' lists are updated, and how updates are delivered to you - does the system update itself automatically, or do you have to download and install them yourself? The pace of change and development on the internet makes regular updating and reviewing essential
- the 'allow/deny' lists offered by the company, as these are the principal selling points for their products: suppliers use the lists to differentiate themselves from each other, and their lists therefore differ considerably in both approach and coverage
- whether you can customize the filter to meet your needs more effectively - for example, does the filter include facilities to make available sites that are incorrectly blocked, and how easy is it to change, remove or include individual sites or categories? (A site-blocking system that takes days to provide access to an incorrectly blocked site is likely to cause a great deal of frustration among both staff and pupils)
- what users see when the filter is activated by a request for banned material:find out exactly how the filter handles undesirable material, and ensure that its methods fit with your requirements.
You can install and run filtering systems:
- on individual computers
- at local area network (LAN) or local proxy level
- using a remote proxy server (CNET glossary)
- you can use your internet service provider (ISP)
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