Internet 101 & Beyond - Tips for Teachers
Also see: Search Engine Basics

For great sites for educators, visit The Reference Desk!

Internet Tips for Teachers

Concentrate on the curriculum rather than a cool internet site. Choose a topic and find resources that meet your needs. A variety of sites will provide enough material to keep your students engaged for a class period or two. Other sites offer quick labs, simulations, or information areas.

Take time to brainstorm a few ideas for your web project/lesson. What do you want to accomplish? How will you meet your goals? What will be required from your students? How will you evaluate student learning?

Start small and build. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination:

	Daily Doses Keep a weather log - NWS Check national headlines - Time for Kids Get current stock quotes - NASDAQ Stock Market Review with online games - Learning Planet or Funbrain Brush up on history - History Channel Research Utilize search engines - Search Tools for Kids Browse online encyclopedias or search engines - Search Engines & More Learn about careers - My Future Work Interest Quiz Communicate Interact with experts - Beakman's World Send an e-greeting - Care Mail Explore Explore online museums - Exploratorium Take a virtual field trip to the zoo - Oakland Zoo Visit outer space - ZOOM Astronomy Serve an alien - Alien Juice Bar (pH) Join a project - KidProj Create a scavenger hunt - Surfing The Net With Kids Challenge your students to a web quest - Web Quest Links or Too Cool For Grownups Teacher Tools Make a puzzle - Puzzlemaker Create online games - Quia! Find new ideas - Ask ERIC Join an e-mail list - Internet Scout Project Browse educational resources - Reference Desk Build your own web site - Geocities Check out my Elementary Education Links!

Stay within your comfort level. Before attempting any lesson with your class, take a few moments to try it yourself. Discover challenging areas and plan ahead!

Consider available technology and the experience level of your students. If you plan to visit sites that require plug-ins (Shockwave, Flash, Real Player, etc.), be sure that every computer is "plugged in". Some students are experts at web cruising, while others may need a few lessons before taking off.

Utilize search engines (Google) to find great educational sites. Search kid-safe sites (Search Tools for Kids) for quality links for your special project.

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Enhance existing classroom lessons with technology. Browse online lesson plan lists or project collections (Blue Web'n or Ask ERIC) to find activities that meet your needs.

Network with other educators. Visit subject-specific web sites or museums to cruise other great sites (Digital Dozen). Join an e-mail list (Internet Scout Project) to receive daily or weekly newsletters on a variety of topics.

Create a bookmark file, your own web site (Geocities or Homestead), or a class page (Quia!). List the URLs for your units in an easy-to-navigate format (The Science Spot: Kid Zone). A little prep time now will save class time later. Another bonus ... avoid those typing mistakes that lead to questionable sites on the web.

Develop your own rules for Internet safety. Set clear guidelines for computer use to prevent future problems. Check with your school district for acceptable use or Internet policies. Several web sites offer the resources you need to keep your students safe.

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T. Trimpe 1999