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Best of the Web for K-12 Educators

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The Curriculum Resource Collection offers the Best of Web for K-12 Educators; a FREE annotated web directory designed to provide the most educationally meaningful and appropriate web sites for teaching and learning currently available. The web is a dynamic publishing environment therefore this directory is by no means comprehensive. Instead, like the web, it is a work in progress. Some links may become outdated or broken. Please report changes to festag@mail.montclair.edu . Thanks and Happy Surfing! 

 Time Saving Quick Links To Resources Located In This Directory


Time Saver: This page is long and chock full of great links. Save time searching by using the "Find On Page" function located in the EDIT menu in your browsers menu bar.

Getting Started

The following topics should be reviewed by all who are interested in using the web as a teaching and learning tool but are not yet comfortable in the fundamentals of how it works. Topics include: history of the web; web browser basics; bookmarking; searching; Internet safety for students; and classroom management techniques for using one computer in the classroom.

The History of The Internet & The World Wide Web & How It Works -  The students beginning Kindergarten this year have never lived without access to the world wide web. To them, it is just another media available to use. While they are able to use the tools inherent in this media proficiently, they will ask you, their parents and teachers, about its origins.  This historical site, Hobbes Internet Timeline, describes the evolution of the Internet and provides a context for you to answer their questions with.
 
Using The Web Browser -  Before using the web as a teaching and learning tool, it is important to understand how to use the software (Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer) that provides you with access to the wealth of educationally valuable resources available. Web Browser Basics - an online tutorial developed by Web Teacher and the 21st Century Teachers Network provides the basics of web browsing.

How To Effectively Search The Internet for Educationally Valuable Resources - We all like to think we know how to search the web, but there is a science to effective searching. This is a critical New Media Literacy skill that we ALL need to develop in order to maximize the potential power the web holds for teaching and learning. Dr. Bernie Dodge, the pioneer of Webquests as a teaching and learning tool, provided the following tutorials, which are good for everyone to review:

Internet Safety for Students - The Internet, while an extremely powerful teaching and learning tool, can also be an inappropriate and sometimes dangerous place for children. However, many tools and resources have been developed to help schools and parents offer children a safe and valuable educational online experience.

Classroom Management Issues When Using The Internet With Students - Many educators struggle to find ways to use the Internet safely and meaningfully with up to 35 students in a classroom and access to only one or two Internet connected computers. While trying to rotate 35 students through one, two or even 5 computers in most cases sabotages the instructional goals of the activity, there are some alternatives strategies for providing equitable student access while maximizing the power of the web as an effective teaching and learning tool. Resources & Ideas for Teaching in the One Computer Classroom.

Technology Integration Standards for K-12 Educators - Many states, including NJ, have implemented technology standards as a part of the curriculum.  These standards require students to demonstrate proficiency in using technology as a learning tool, placing pressure on subject area teachers to infuse it throughout their teaching. Most states have adopted modified versions of the ISTE NETS technology standards for teaching and learning. New Jersey technology standards can be accessed at: http://www.state.nj.us/njded/cccs/

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The Internet As A Differentiated Instructional Tool

The topics addressed in the following sections of this directory provide links to some of the most meaningful and appropriate instructional content and tools available online. In most cases they represent methods for teaching and learning that were unavailable prior to the invention of the web.

Using the Internet  For Presenting Information To The Whole Class- Perhaps the quickest and easiest way to integrate the web into teaching and learning is through its potential for whole group instruction. Whether a teacher is taking students on a virtual field trip to the Botanical Gardens, showing a clip of FDR's Declaration of War On Japan, demonstrating the Frog Dissection Process or tracking Real-Time Weather throughout the day, students now have access to a more realistic visualization of information and concepts than the average textbook and blackboard could ever provide. Of course, there are some technical issues involved if you do not have access to a projection device that can be connected to your computer.  There are, however, some simple and often inexpensive solutions to these problems (see below). 

Classroom Presentation Devices That Can Be Connected To Your Computer - There are many ways you can present what you see on a small computer monitor to large audiences like those found in a typical K-12 classroom. Listed below are three options ranging from the most expensive to the least expensive.

  • LCD Projector - an expensive ($500-$5000), but very mobile
    presentation device with the best resolution (similar to a big screen
    TV) that can be easily hooked up to any computer (desktop or
    laptop) to project images from the computer onto a wall or movie
    screen.

  • Digital Document Camera - ($500 - $4000) an expensive tool that
    allows you to project and record hands-on activities, such as
    Science experiments, simultaneously.

  • Smart Board - a moderately expensive ($600-$1500) solution that
    provides the presenter with the ability to write on and highlight
    projected objects and images and click on links provided in
    projected web pages. This is not a very mobile mobile option since
    it requires an LCD projector or a rear projected Smart Board to
    work (more $$$).

  • TVator or Scan Converter - an inexpensive ($50 - $500)
    presentation device that allows anyone to project an image from
    their computer to a larger screen (20"-60") television by simply
    connecting one to the other through a rather small box.

Instructional Resources Appropriate for Whole Group/Classroom Presentation - The following resources have been selected as excellent examples of online content that lend themselves to whole group presentations. However, many of these resources can also be used in other instructional scenarios including individual or small group instruction, depending on the number of Internet connected computers available.

Online Educational Movies - Note that many of these movies require you to have a Java- enabled web browser and/or the Flash Plug-in installed in order to play and have the sound capability to hear. (see plug-in download section below)

  • Awesome Stories - using Primary Sources and audio clips, this site provides is an excellent place for students have real-life stories told to them.

  • BrainPop - provides educational animations that help teach difficult science, math concepts and more. Some movies even come complete with pre and post tests.

Primary Source Documents for Authentic Research  - The Internet is now providing students with access to documents  previously only viewable in person (if you were lucky). Some of the links below require special plug-ins for browsers to access them. It is a good idea before attempting to access these types of resources to download and install the most common plug-ins used (see below). 

Article: History in the Raw - Teaching with Primary Source Documents? from National Archives

Create a Historical Movie:  Primary Access provides a platform for students and teachers to create movies that rely on primary source documents and photos.

  • The Digital Classroom - many original documents currently housed by the National Archives are now available online for students to view and learn from.

  • American Memory - many original documents currently housed by the Library of Congress are now available online for students to view and learn from.

  • Eyewitness History - Pictures & Narratives from those who experienced it.

  • Old Time Radio - sound excerpts from the radio days - inc. news, soap operas, variety shows, science fiction, talk shows, etc..

Interactive Timelines To Demonstrate History - showing events in a chronological timeline can be a powerful teaching tool for visual learners.

Taking Students on Virtual Field Trips - these online activities take your students to see people, places and important objects all over the world without leaving the classroom.

  • Field Guides - virtual field trip site with accompanying Tramline virtual field trip maker software.

  • GSN Collaborative Field Trip - provides unique tools that allow students to communicate with one another around the world as they travel virtually.

  • TechTrekers - virtual excursions

Experiencing Interactive Educational Simulations - use these unique web-based tools to demonstrate experiments or difficult to grasp math, science, legal, civic or economic concepts.

Using Real-Time Data As An Instructional Tool - the Internet provides access to real-time data. This is a unique feature of the Internet as it allows one access to scientific data on earthquakes, volcano's, weather, financial information, news events, etc.

Article: How to Use Real-Time Data as a teaching and learning tool in the Science & Math Classroom -  from Education World
Tutorial: Introduction to Internet-Based Real-time Data for CIESE
Sample Real-Time Data Curriculum Project:  The Stowaway Adventure from CIESE 

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Using The Internet For Collaborative Teaching & Learning 

Having access to the Internet in your classroom is a lot like having a phone in your room with free long distance to anywhere in the world. The ability to communicate and collaborate through the global network allows students to learn through experience.
 

Finding Collaborative Curriculum Projects To Join  - the following links take you to searchable online databases that house most, if not all of the K-12 online collaborative projects available today. Please note that collaborative curriculum projects usually have a start and finish date, so make sure to check to see if they fit into your schedule before committing to one.

  • Global School House - perhaps the largest clearinghouse of online classroom projects on the web. Use the search tool to sort projects by grade level, subject area and start date.

  • Co-Nect Telecollaborative Projects- created and managed by professional educational technologists, these projects are well developed and provide excellent classroom support resources.

  • I-Earn - the first site on the Internet dedicated to global collaborative education.

  • K12 Science - math & science focused projects

  • Education World - a new but growing evaluator of online classroom projects.

  • KidLink - good source for finding electronic classroom projects.

  • Peace Diaries - great international collaborative writing project.

Finding Teachers & Students Online To Collaborate With - the following links provide access to databases of teachers around the globe who have made themselves available to create and implement online collaborative curriculum projects via the web and e-mail. Use ForeignWord or Babelfish to translate  foreign languages.

Teacher & Student Databases

  • E-Pals -  A service that provides free, monitored e-mail for students as well as links to projects and schools interested in communicating from around the world.

  • GaggleNet - Offers free kid-safe e-mail accounts.

  • Intercultural E-mail Classroom Exchange - One of the earliest sites linking students through the use of e-mail.

  • National Public School Locator - searchable by school characteristics, district, location, or name. From the National Center for Education Statistics.

Teacher Chat Rooms & Discussion Boards/Web Forums

Ask Experts In All Fields A Question -  You and your students can get answers for questions in a safe environment in the topics of  science and technology, health, entertainment, business, law, and more via e-mail at Ask-An-Expert

Creating Surveys Online - Create a survey for students to participate in whether they are inside or outside of your school. The online service records and organizes the results for analysis, interpretation, chart making and sharing - Zoomerang

Online Automatic Translation Tools - Translate foreign newspapers, websites in another language, e-mails, etc by simply copying the web address of the page or the text of the message into AltaVista Babelfish, ForeignWord.

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Using the Internet As A Student Publishing Center

Publishing Student Writing Online - publishing student work online is the latest wave in online curriculum activities. Students can publish magazines,  poetry, scientific observations  and book reviews to free websites for others to access and view. Be careful about submitting student names or pictures of students (see Internet Safety section above).

Submitting Student Work To Online Educational Contests & Fairs - there are many online academic fairs and contests, many of which offer prizes.

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Using the Internet as a Classroom Research Station

Much of what used to be available in the library/media center and in books on the shelves of your classroom are now available online and constantly updated.

Student Research Tools 

Quick Links To Common Reference Materials

> Almanacs
> Dictionary
> Thesaurus
> Famous Quotes
> Authors
 > Books 
> Grammar
 > Plagiarism Preventers
 > Poetry
 > World Fact Books
> Maps & Atlas's
> Encyclopedia
 > Writing Guide
> Historical Timeline Directory

> Museums
> Online Public Library
> Find An Article
> Biographies
> Political Information
> Economics Information
 > Current Events
 > World Cultures
 > Foreign Newspapers 
> Online Translator
 > Calculators
 > Geometry Sketch Pads
 > Math Experts
 > Other Experts
 > Periodic Table

Inquiry-Based  Learning Activities(a.k.a. Webquests) - Asking good questions is the key to any quality investigative research.  However, it that is not enough when students try to find answers in the more than 1 billion web pages available today. Sending students to the web to conduct find information can produce a myriad of results. Webquests are a tool that help students focus their learning on the content you want them to see.

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 Using the Internet As The Teacher's Assistant

Standards-Based Curriculum Planning Tools- access standards, find lesson plans, worksheets and other activities to use with your students.

Curriculum Standards

Lesson Plans/Thematic Units

  • AskERIC - this US Dept. of Education sponsored website was one the first online curriculum databases. It's content is easily sorted through its several search options by grade level and subject area.  

  • EdHelper - a commercial website offering free access to a wealth of lesson plans, thematic units, worksheets and more. Neatly organized and sorted by grade level and subject area.

  • AOL@School - popular America Online School Version provides teachers with a vast database of instructional materials also sorted by grade level and subject area.

  • Lesson Planz - popular site to access lesson plans, associated worksheets and instructional guides.

Flashcards, Worksheets, Crosswords, Etc- The Internet provides many pre-created activities to supplement the curriculum and also offers some tools to create and print your own. 

Student Assessment Tools - access and build tests, quizzes and surveys online. Access hard to create rubrics created by other teachers or build and print your own.

Supplemental  Curriculum  Activities - the Internet can provide access to several thousand online educational games and skill building activities.

  • Funbrain- produced by The Learning Network, this site offers free student access to several hundred online education games that help build skills (math, grammar, spelling, writing).

  • FunSchool - offers grade level appropriate educational games plus and arcade and puzzle boards.

  • HeadBone - offers games for Kids, simulations, problems solving activities and more.

  • Cool Math4 Kids - online math amusement park.

Classroom Management & School To Home Communications Tools

  • Build a free school/class web page quickly and easily at WebWorksheet

  • Post student assignments, share documents and web bookmarks with students on eboard ($$$)

Teaching Your Class  Online - It is now possible to teach or supplement your face-to-face in classroom teaching online for free. Many college professors are already using these tools so students can access all course materials outside of class.

Download Easy-to-Use Templates & Tutorials for Everyday Teaching, Learning and Administrative Tasks for Popular Software Applications  - The following links can help students and teachers better utilize the following applications for teaching and learning.

Miscellaneous Teacher Time Savers - the Internet can provide access to some unexpected tools and resources that help educators streamline usually time consuming tasks such as fundraising, finding free materials and rewarding students for good work or behavior. 

  • Fund Raising - Use the Internet as Class/School/Club fundraising tool at SchoolPop

  • Student Awards - Free Online Printable Form-Based Achievement/Certificate Award Generator at Alfy.com

  • Note Home Creator - free online printable form-based note home creator from 4Teachers

  • School Supplies - a division of Office Depot, School.com is a one stop shop for everything school.

  • Teacher Gifts - an online store devoted exclusively to selling gifts and professional items for educators - HomeroomDirect

Computer Support & Technical Help - Use the Internet to access tech support not available in your school or at home. Free Support located @ Free PC Tech 

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Using The Internet For Learning @Home

Homework Helpers for Students - the Internet has quickly become the academic assistant for students offering directories for common HW assignments, cliff note-like guides, live tutoring, and study habit guides and counseling.

K-12 State Assessment Test Information & Preparation

College Tuition Saving Program - families can save for college educations when they shop at their local grocery store, purchase an automobile, computer or gas for the car when signing up with free matching funds service UPromise.

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