Now we go to the exciting part! Since the Internet has a lot to offer, this part of the report narrows three functions of the Internet that is useful to teaching and instruction. Activities, projects and strategies for its use in the content areas are provided.
A. Information Source
The Internet is a source of information. How to access and locate information from the Internet can be taught to children. Apart from the Internet lessons they get from Computer Education class, teachers can strengthen the skill by teaching search strategies.
Bernie Poole lends four easy search strategies.
1. Use quotes to narrow your search
2. Use simple math (+ and -) to narrow your search
3. Use Quick Keys to construct your search string (Control-c & Control-v)
4. Use Control-f to quickly find what you're looking for on a Web page (Control-f)
The ever dependable semantic webbing can also be called upon to narrow search words before using Google or Yahoo.
Locating and accessing information is one thing. Evaluating information is another. Children should be empowered to determine if the information they need has value to their assignment, report or project. Kathy Schrock has developed evaluation rubrics for websites that children in the primary and intermediate levels can use (Attachment 4).
As information source, the Internet is abundant with online newspapers and references. Here are recommended websites:
Online Newspapers & References for Kids
The New York Times for Kids
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html
Weekly Reader Online
http://www.weeklyreader.com/index.asp
Time for Kids
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/
Online Encyclopedia
http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=wb
Online Dictionary & Almanac
http://www.factmonster.com/
Given the wealth of resources available for teachers, it is necessary that they teach students to become critical readers of online materials. Here are web evaluation rubrics to empower the learning child in using the Internet as resource tool.
ALA Great Websites for Kids
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/greatwebsites/greatwebsitesforkids/greatwebsites.htm
It gives a very brief but substantial set of criteria. Tips on how to maximize the WWW in the classroom are also included.
Kids’ Selection Criteria
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/detectives/kids/selection.html
It identifies four simple criteria that children can use. Emphasizing on the evaluation of both content and design for better projects and reports help the student appreciate the value of assessing a website independently.
Kathy Schrock’s Web Evaluation Rubrics
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/evalelem.html
B. E-Learning Tool
Aside from its strength as an information source, the Internet is a viable tool for electronic learning. Below are examples of e-learning activities.
WebQuests
Web Quest Blog
http://webquest.org/
WebQuest for Science (Integrating Lang. Arts and Civics)
http://www.teachtheteachers.org/projects/MBergey/top.htm
More WebQuest for Grade 3, 4 and 5
http://www.thematzats.com/webquest/grade.html
Online & Distance Learning
Xavier School ELF
http://elf.xs.edu.ph/login/index.php
Using Moodle, online activities, homeworks, assignments and quizzes are designed and uploaded in the e-learning software.
Educational Games & Drills
Language Arts
Grammar Gorillas
http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/
Online Stories
http://www.magickeys.com/books/
Literacy activities
http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/literacy_centers/main.htm
Worksheets on Phonics
http://schoolexpress.com/fws/cat.php?id=2254
Worksheets on Reading
http://schoolexpress.com/fws/cat.php?id=2255
Math Drills & Games
Basic Operations
http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/wspages/math.htm
Drills for Word Problems, Fractions, etc.
http://donnayoung.org/math/drills.htm
Timed drills and activities
http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/trc/cluster.asp?mode=browse&intPathID=4987
Make your own drills and games
http://www.quia.com/web
C. Communication Tool
Content can be created in the Internet. It can be communicated using email technology, e-groups and blogs. Conferences and email exchange projects are engaging activities for students.
Telecolaboartion - The Storylady Project Full Paper
http://sblogs.writingproject.org/gems/blogwrite9/gagatiga.pdf#search=%22Zarah%20Gagatiga%2BTelecollaboration%22
The Storylady Project – Articles
http://www.xs.edu.ph/storylady.php
http://www.xs.edu.ph/x.php?x=telecollaboration
http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2005/06/telecollaboration.html
Web Publishing – Blogs as Teaching Tools
http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/2006/05/full-paper-blogs-as-teaching-tools.html
Indeed, the Internet has a lot to offer the teacher of today. There are factors and issues that must be considered when using this technology in instruction. In the creative and innovative hands of the teacher, he has the power to engage students in learning via this medium but only when he has a clear understanding of what responsibility lies in its power.
References:
Websites
Promoting a Safe & Legal Digital World. BSA
http://www.bsa.org/usa/press/newsreleases/kids-teachers-online-safety.cfm
Kids’ Safety in the Internet
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/news/press-releases.php?id=23
Survey Shows Widespread Enthusiasm for High Technology
http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/poll/technology/index.html
International Society for Technology in Education
http://www.iste.org/
NETS Technology Standards for Teachers
http://cnets.iste.org/getdocs.html
Website Evaluation Criteria
Elementary Level (K-4))
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/evalelem.html
Middle School Level (Gr. 5-8)
http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/evalmidd.html
Bernie Poole’s Search Strategies
http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech/tech225.shtml
Books:
Verma, Mahesh. Online Teaching Tools & Methods. Murari Lal & Sons, New Delhi. 2006
