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CourseWare Evaluation
Weekly Handouts

ED X648 - CourseWare Evaluation
 

Hand-out #1            Software Evaluation Guide

Hand-out #2            Managing a Software Collection

Hand-out #3            Creating a Database for Software Evaluation

Hand-out #4            Discussion of Databases

Hand-out #5            Software Evaluation Resources

Hand-out #6            Reviewing Electronic Encyclopedias

Hand-out #7            Internet -- NYIT Lab

Hand-out #8            Software Demos - MLK Lab

Hand-out #9            Science Web Sites

Hand-out #10          Spider's Apprentice

Hand-out #11          Everybody's Ten Best List
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hand-out #1
X648 (EDIN 616) CourseWare Evaluation
Fall, 1999             Dr. R. Slotnick
 

Week #1
 

Software Evaluation Guide

Name of Program

Author/Designer (if available)

Publisher, Name, Address,

Tel.

Year, Price

Computer Platform, special requirements, hard drive, CD-ROM, etc.

In a Nutshell

Age/Grade Level  Reading Level

Content area

Main Learning Objective

Type of program, e.g., tutorial, simulation/game, drill and practice, experiment, productity tool

Overall Rating: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Unsatisfactory
__________________________________________________________________

Overview, Introduction, and Description

1.   Overview:  What is the general topic, issue or theme that the program addresses?  Set the context for the discussion.

2.   Introduction: Relate general theme to the specific problem.  How does the program address the topic?

3.   Description: Provide a brief description of the program.  What is it about?  Describe main features and content.

Instructional Criteria and Learning Objectives

3.   Identify the learning objectives of the software.  List the learning objectives that the program addresses.

4.   What are the learning outcomes that the student should achieve by using the software?  Determine whether the type of computer application is appropriate for the learning outcome.

5.   Specify the instructional strategy adapted by the program, e.g., tutorial, simulation, experiment, drill and practice.  Determine if the software incorporates an instructional strategy appropriate for the application.

6.   Are the examples and illustrations appropriate for the intended grade level?  Is the language level appropriate and consistent.  Are there sufficient examples and illustrations to support the learning objectives?

7.   Does the program fit your current curriculum, or can it be modified to fit your curriculum?

8.  Is any assessment feature built into the program?  Should there be one?

Design/Presentation Criteria

9.  Describe the program design.  Is it a tutorial? simulation? experiment? etc.  Is the design appropriate for the concept and content?  Does the design facilitate educational/curriculum goals?

10.  Describe the combination of text and graphics.  Are the graphics clear and attractive.  Are they relevant to the program goals, that is, are they intrinsic to what is being taught? or are they used as extrinsic rewards?  Is this distinction important?  Explain.

11.  Are the individual screens balanced visually in the amount of text and graphics presented?  Are screens cluttered, busy, unattractive and interfere with learning?

12.  Do the screens flow in a natural sequence?

13.  Is spelling and grammar correct and appropriate?

Navigation

14.  Is navigation under user control?

15.  Is navigation through the program in a linear manner?

16.  Does the program provide for multiple navigation paths?  If so, are navigation signs clearly marked?  Can the student move freely and easily through the different parts or sections of the program.

17.  Is the screen design consistent so the student can navigate easily and accurately.

Ease of Use

18.  Provides menus and/or commands that allow user to go easily from one part to another.  Keys and commands are functionally related and consistent.

19.  Alternative commands are made clear; a minimum of keys and instructions are used.

Interactivity

20.  Interactive capabilities of the computer are well utilized.

21.  Student input is required to advance the program.

22.  Feedback is provided for incorrect input and other errors.

23.  To what degree is program non-linear and open-ended?  Does it allow users to determine their own navigation path?

Print Materials

24.   Are the print materials an integral part of the program?  Are they clearly and concisely written?

25.   Are the print materials divided into two clear parts: a. how to use the program and b.  does it explain the pedagogical goals and objectives?

26.   Do the print materials incorporate screen shots from the program in explaining or referring to the program?

27.   Do the print materials support the educational goals of the program?  Do the print materials provide any additional information (content) on the topic?

Conclusion

28. Summarize the main features.

29. Emphasize the strengths and weaknesses.

30. How is it used best?

31. Do you recommend? Y/N

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Hand-out #2
 

X648 (EDIN 616) CourseWare Eval
Fall, 1999; Dr. Robert Slotnick
2nd Class Meeting
Forcier, Ch 13 Managing a Software Collection
Week #2

Managing a Software Collection

Advanced Organizers
Why is it important to evaluate software?
Where are the sources for locating software?
What rating systems should be used?
What are the important dimensions to consider?
How should a software collection be managed?

Collection Management
Acquire a wide range of materials
Meet information needs of teachers/students
Locate, evaluate, select, acquire, maintain and promote

Process of Building a Collection
Identification
Educational software vendors
Software publishers
Software clearinghouses
Local user groups and electronic bulletin boards
Local computer stores
Computer magazines and professional journals
Regional education support groups
Other schools
Conferences

Software Evaluation
The fundamental reason for using computer software is to enhance teaching and learning.
The fundamental reason for software evaluation is to see if it fits your educational goals.

Support best practices.  DíIgnazio states, ìTechnology has the potential to
dramatically improve the performance of teachers and students, and enrich the learning environment.  However, in order to produce these outcomes, technology must be used to support the ìbest practicesî for teaching and learning".

Technology must be used by teachers to create a classroom that encourages:
heightened student attention, engagement, and enthusiasm for learning
inspired teaching students taking responsibility for their learning and for coaching
fellow students student authoring, publishing, and presentations
cooperative learning problem-solving, critical thinking, questioning, and analysis
collaborative inquiry, research, and investigation.   Use technology to motivate students,
promote problem solving, work on independent projects, work collaboratively, ...
 

General Criteria -- Familiarize yourself with the total software package.  The value of the software is determined by the schoolís curriculum.  A program may be excellent, but irrelevant to the curriculum and a program may be technically weak, but germane to the class curriculum.

General Evaluation Guidelines for Educational Software
Documentation
manual?
objectives stated?
lesson plans or activities?
resource materials?
Ease of use
knowledge needed to run the program
is program intuitive to run
Content
appropriate to the curriculum?
accurate?
is language usage appropriate
grammar and punctuation
age, gender, and ethnic discrimination
in a simulation, realistic and authentic
Performance

Versatility

Data collection

Evaluating Use of Graphics and Sound
Sound
Graphics

Evaluating CAI

Evaluating Word Processor

Software Selection

Software Acquisition

Sustaining a Software Collection
Inventory -- If stored in library, should be treated like other print and media materials; main purpose is accountability and control; inventory will also guide the identification and ordering of new software;

Maintenance -- role of the computer coordinator; sometimes combined with media specialist in library; needed to maintain currency and balance; enter new, discard or update old;

Access -- when stored on an appropriate database, search and retrieval are facilitated and can be printed

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Hand-out #3

EDIN 616 CourseWare Evaluation
NYIT, Fall, 1999
Dr. R. Slotnick
Week #2
 

Create DataBase for Software Evaluation

Software Evaluation
The fundamental reason for using computer software is to enhance teaching and learning.  The fundamental reason for software evaluation is to see if it fits your educational goals.
General Criteria -- Familiarize yourself with the total software package.  The value of the software is determined by the schoolís curriculum.  A program may be excellent, but irrelevant to the curriculum and a program may be technically weak, but germane to the class curriculum.
General Evaluation Guidelines for Educational Software
Documentation
Ease of use
Content
Performance
Versatility
Data collection
Evaluating Use of Graphics and Sound

Designing a DataBase
Set Type and Number of Fields
Make several drafts; sketch it out on paper
Check ch 13 for ideas
Check Software Eval Guide for Key Topics

Create DataBase
Set basic layout
Modify basic layout
Create own design

Check DB Design Against Software Evaluation Topics
DB layout meets software eval criteria

Add Graphics to Improve Appearance

Enter Your Own Reviews Into The DataBase

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Hand-out #4

EDIN 616 CourseWare Evaluation
NYIT, Fall, 1999
Dr. R. Slotnick
Week #3

Discussion of Databases; one selection from Jonassen and one from Forcier.
The following material comes from Jonassen, Computers in the Classroom, Ch. 3 Databases:Structuring Content Domains

What are Database Management Systems?

Computerized record keeping systems

Electronic filing cabinets -- can store and retrieve info
Takes less space, is quicker, more accurate

Consist of: the database, a file management system, database organization tools, and report or printing functions.

Each record is divided into fields.  Each field contains a specific type of infomation.
The same type of information for each record is stored in each field.  See Fig. 3.2 Database Structure as an example of same type of info goes into each field in each different record.

... permit the user to organize and reorganize the information.  For ex., in  DB for class schedule you can keep track of all class schedules for all students in the school.  As a personís schedule changes, you simply enter the change on the field in the record.

The search tool allows you to search through all records to get one field.  For ex, search for all Smith.  The DB will mark all records with the name Smith.  Once you have the record, you can always look for other info in other fields.

You can also search for NOT Smith.  The DB pulls up every record except the record(s) with Smith.  You can also search for =, >, and <.

You may search using multiple criteria, such as, all Smiths in the 8th grade.  You are searching 2 fields (Smith, 8th grade) simultaneously.

You may also create separate layouts as a way of selecting certain fields and displaying them in a different fashion.

Examples of Content DB
Fig. 3.3 Data structure for db on British Romantic poems

Fig. 3.4 Database on world statistics.  Can answer questions such as What is the relationship between average income and literacy rate?  Which country is different from the others with a high literacy rate?  How will recent events affect that country?

See and answer questions 1, 2, 3, and 4.
 

The next DB, Fig. 3.5, was developed by a Biology teacher to illustrate different types of cells.

Databases as Mindtools
 Helps to integrate and interrelate content ideas
 Makes ideas more meaningful and more memorable
 Lrn to organize information by identifying the relevant dimensions of the content

 Process of searching for info and creating the DB can be a meaningful     instructional activity -- decide which fields are necessary, how large they    should be, how they should be ordered

 The searching and sorting of the database required to answer queries can    generate a variety of comparison and contrasts based on which field are    selected for searching and sorting.  Intellectually, these processes
require the integration and organization of a content domain.

Evaluation of Databases as Mindtools
 1.  Power derives from searching and sorting capabilities afforded by the computer
 When a data set is in the hundreds of thousands or millions, you need a computer to do the sorting and retreiving.

 2.  DB can be applied to a very large set of activities or tasks, e.g., mailing lists,    school administration and students, bank records, hospital records...wherever records are kept in any kind of business, hobby or collection of information.

 3.  Affordable and available.

 4.  DBs represent knowledge in a structured but associational form.

 5.  DBs can be developed to describe the underlying structure of any content    domain.

 6.  DBs help students develop critical thinking skills.

 7.  DB structure can be transferred to any kind of content domain.  May help    transfer of learning.

 8.  DB are concept-related and especially useful for dveloping content

  hierarchies, including concepts and their subordinate and superordinate    concepts.

 9.  DB can be made very simple for very young children to learn.
 

Database Notes from Forcier,The Computer as an Educational Tool
File/Database Managers
A database is an organized, structured collection of facts about a particular topic. These facts are grouped together in subsets called files.  In the text (7.1) A DATABASE is illustrated which has a separate Health file and an Address file.  A database has the ability to manage a number of files of data simultanbeously.

The hierarchical organization of a database is divided into Database: Files, Records, and Fields.

Database Operation
... is designed to allow the user to create a structure for the storage, manipulation, and retrieval of data.  Once data is (are) entered, it can be manipulated in a number of ways.

File design: establish structure of file by creating data fields of appropriate type.  Fields can contain text, numeric values, dates, and pictures or sounds.  Fields can contain calculations that perform mathematical operations on other numeric fields within the record and store the resulting values.  The field is the most discrete piece of information.  All related fields is called a record.  Record is the building block of the file.  If you have more than one file in the same DB (CWs cannot do this) then you can compare information from different files.  This is called a relational DB.

Form design: create a layout of fields... to be displayed and printed.  As  fields are defined and grouped together they form a Layout.  The Layout allows you to see the fields in a particular way.  DB managers allow you to create several different Layouts for the same or selected fields.  Layout allows you to change the basic structure of the DB.  Browse mode allows you to enter specific data.

Record editing: allow data to be entered, altered, and deleted.  Also called the Browse mode in CWs.

Record finding: facilitate the selection of certain records while ignoring others.

Record sorting: organize records according to some field order.  Users can perform a logical search to select records based on a wide range of criteria, such as dates, ascending or descending, names, zip codes, telephone numbers.  For example, you can look for a record with a particular name, such as Robert.  Then all records with the name Robert are returned.  You can also search for records > or <, not equal to.  Compound searches can be constructed to examine data in multiple fields using the Boolean connectors of AND, OR, NOT.  You may search for X and Y, X or Y, X not Y.  The search can be girls and PS 19, so only girls at PS 19 would be searched in the DB.  Girls and PS 1 would not be selected.

Report creation: find specific records, sort them, and arrange them on a selected form.

Report printing: display the information on paper or on the screen.

Report Creation and Printing: The user selects the appropriate layout, then selects the records to be included in the report (search or find the records), and designates their order (sort the records found).  For example, to print a report consisting of the studentís first name, last name, and birth date, the user would: Designate the size fo the printed page and create column titles that would serve as labels:  First Name, Last Name, Birth Date Choose the records to be printed:  All records, or only those after a certain date;
Define the order: alphabetic by last name? Birth date order?

Enter data once; generate many reports
If the report is sorted by birth date and more than one student has the same birth date, then sort these records by last name.  This technique is called a multilevel sort or a nested sort.
Many different reports can be produced from the same file.  In this example, in addition to the student list, it would be easy to create mailing labels.  If you added fields for grade level and teacherís name, and grades, additional reports could be generated presenting students by grade level and teacher, or by grade achieved.  You could also generate a report of teachers with students with the best grades.
The power of database managers is that the information can be entered once and many reports can be generated simply by instructing the computer program how to organize the data.  You do not have to rework the collected information by hand.
 

Hand-out #5

EDIN 616 CourseWare Evaluation
NYIT, Fall, 1999
Dr. R. Slotnick
Week # 4

Alta Vista search for educational software reviews.  Try it and check the resources.
http://www.altavista.com/cgi-bin/query?pg=q&kl=XX&stype=stext&q=Educational+Software+Reviews
Alta Vista found 241 Web Pages on the topic.  That should keep you busy for awhile.

I entered the same search on Profusion: http://www.profusion.com.  I found 78 hits, but many of them
seem more focused than the Alta Vista list. I found specific sites about children's software.  Also note
that Profusion searches several different search engines at the same time, which includes Alta Vista.
Here is one example.  Try searching on several different search engines and see the result.

    Kids Domain [new window]
  Summary: - Fun for Kids! Macintosh and PC software reviewed by families and teachers. Free    demos,
    shareware, freeware, educational software reviews, games, holiday fun, contests and graphics. Kid Safe
   Site http://www.kidsdomain.com/ - (Yahoo, InfoSeek)

Educational Software Reviews, Book Reviews, Periphe ... [new window]

Summary: ETA Online Review, Find out What's Hot, Books, Software, CD-ROMS, Videos, Competitions,
 Lots...
 http://www.exam-ta.ac.uk/onlinerepg3.htm - (AltaVista, Yahoo)

Here is a good site for a list of magazine resources for software reviews:
http://www.unc.edu/cit/guides/irg-31.html
 

School House Software Reviews [new window]
Summary: Educational software reviews. All reviews are extremely detailed and most include pictures
and screenshots.
 http://www.worldvillage.com/wv/school/html/scholrev.htm - (LookSmart)
 
 

Here are additional software resources.
                        Software Evaluation Resources
                                Excellent resource for software reviews and more:
                      http://www.mcrel.org/resources/links/techined.asp

                                Resources
                                Summary: Some Useful Online Resources for Finding and Evaluating Educational
                                Software. Reviews of Educational Software. California Instructional Technology...
                     http://www.edb.utexas.edu/SPC/Resources.html - (AltaVista)
 

                                Copyright Notice -- SuperKids Educational Software ... [new window]

                                Summary: Copyright Notice. Every item at this site is copyright © 1996, 1997
                                Knowledge Share LLC. The material presented here may not under any
                                circumstances be...
                                http://www.superkids.com/copyrit.html - (AltaVista)

                                SuperKids Educational Software Review is located on the World Wide Web at
                     http://www.superkids.com/.
 

                                Summary: The Internet Resources Database (IRD) The ultimate offline guide to the
                                information available on the Internet IRD provides a comprehensive overview of all the
                                resources available on the Internet and allows one to easily find those resources most
                                valuable to the Internet user.
                                With the IRD -Reader & Notebook software every user can
                                build his or her own Internet Resources Database by...
                      http://www.mbmarktcons.com/mbmarkt/irdhome.htm
 

                                Summary: Internet Resources. Monitoring Software. Searching the Internet.
                                Electronic Library. Methodist Churches On-Line. Community Information. Area
                                Access...
                      http://www.lakeridgeumc.org/parents/parresou.htm
 

                                Education Software Reviews
                                http://www.alltogethernow.org/mp/36.htm

                                The BuyinGuide
                                Information and reviews on software and, soon, hardware.
                                Not as reliable or useful CA site below, but contains more titles.
                                Children's Software Revue
                                Reviews of software for kids 2-14ish. (Active Learning Associates)
                                Technology in the Curriculum Online
                                 Well-respected source for reviews of educational software.
                                (CA Instructional  Technology Clearinghouse)

                                 Focus on Higher Education
                      http://cea.curtin.edu/scor/hed-short.html
 

                                ATN Mellow Pages - Education - Software Reviews [new window]

                                Summary: Internet sites relating to software...
                      http://www.alltogethernow.org/mp/36.htm - (AltaVista)

                                SCOR: Higher Education Software Reviews: Simple Sea ... [new window]

                                Summary: an error occurred while processing this directive] SCOR: Higher Education
                                Software Reviews. Enter some keywords to search for, or search individual...
                      http://cea.curtin.edu/scor/hed-short.html - (AltaVista)
                                WARNING: Connection timeout. Document may or may not be available at this time.

                                Software Reviews for Level 9-12 English Education S ... [new window]

                                Summary: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Product Listing Guide.
                                Software Reviews for Level 9-12 English Education Software. Click on one of the...
                                http://www.evalutech.sreb.org/archives/review/R92ELA.HTM - (AltaVista)
                                WARNING: Connection timeout. Document may or may not be available at this time.
 

                                Software Reviews for Level 4-6 Vocational Education ... [new window]

                                Summary: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Product Listing Guide.
                               Software Reviews for Level 4-6 Vocational Education Software. Click on one of the...
                      http://www.evalutech.sreb.org/archives/review/R46VE.HTM - (AltaVista)
 

                                WorldVillage School House [new window]

                                Summary: The School House is the place for educational software reviews, parental
                                control software, feature articles, cool sites, and fun for kids and families.
                      http://www.worldvillage.com/wv/school/html/school.htm - (WebCrawler)
 

                                The WWW Virtual Library: Computing [new window]

                                Summary: Information categorised by subject.
                                Please mail wizards@doc.ic.ac.uk if you know of online
                                information not in these lists. to scan a lot of technical reports.
                      http://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/bySubject/Computing/Overview.html - (WebCrawler)
 

                                Kids Education Software / Journey into the Brain / ... [new window]

                                Summary: Journey into the Brain - Reviews and Awards. Reviews. Children's Software
                                Review Choosing Children's Software FamilyPC Technology and Learning Eric H....
 

http://www.morphonix.com/software/education/science/brain/game/brain_journey_reviews.html - (AltaVista)

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Hand-out #6

    Role of Encyclopedias in Education
    How Can They Be Used in Class? for Research?

    Evaluate Transition from Paper to Electronic Version

    Compare Encyclopedias
    Encarta 98
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Grolier
    Compton
    Infopedia
    Other

    Prepare Method of Analysis
    Set series of questions
    Cover several different content areas
    Take notes; see how each encyclopedia answers each query

    Compare Content
    Compare  depth and width of coverage
    Related topics
    Level of language

    Compare User Interface
    Ease of use
    Search strategy

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Hand-out #7    Internet
Week #6
NYIT Lab

The following lists some internet sites of interest for evaluating software and web sites.

1998 Educational Software Preview Guide, ISTE, Eugene, OR 800-336- 5191;
http://www.iste.org

 Association for Supervisors and Curriculum Developers;
http://www.ascd.org

 Developing educational standards are listed by state:
http://putwest.boces.org/standards.html#Section3

Evaluating Web Sites
http://www.wlma.org/libint/evalweb.htm

Californiaís Technology in the Curriculum project results.
 http://tic.stan-co.k12.ca.us

Here is a web site for the book, "The Internet and the WWW for Preservice Teachers
http://www.abacon.com/provenzo

Hand-out #8    Software Demos at MLK class/lab
 
 
 

Hand-out #9  Internet: Science Web Sites
Week #8

The radio show Science Friday, on Friday afternoons at 820AM at 2p, has an interesting web site and lists some excellent science oriented links.
http://www.sciencefriday.com/pages/misc/hotlinks.html

Scientific American is an excellent source science articles.
http://www.sciam.com/bookmarks/

I have excerpted some reaction to the Kansas decision to remove Evolution from the science curriculum.
The Online Evolution of Education in Kansas

   Newspaper columns around the country sounded sharp criticisms soon after the Kansas State Board of Education established
   new standards for science education--standards that actually removed the theory of evolution from school curricula. Indeed,
   Scientific American's editor in chief, John Rennie, shared his own dismay in an October column and asked our readers to
   do the same by contacting Governor Bill Graves. Now this ripple of activism has built into an Internet wave, with several new
   sites inviting Web surfers to get involved and express their concern.

   Most recently, the American Association for the Advancement of Science condemned the new standards, stating on October 26:
   "The AAAS deplores the recent decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to remove references to evolution and
   cosmology from its state education standards and assessments, thereby making central principles for the scientific
   understanding of the universe and its history optional subjects for science education." Hoping to offset the potential damage,
   the AAAS launched a Website on evolution, supplying educational and scientific resources, historical documents and various
   perspectives.

   Another site, run by Kansas Citizens for Science, is still under construction. Their mission is "bringing the Enlightenment back
   to Kansas" and overturning the recent decision. The group held their first of several upcoming events on November 4th: a
   special roundtable discussion, "Creation, Evolution and the First Amendment," with panelists from science, philosophy,
   law--and the Kansas Board of Education. In the future, they plan to feature relevant science FAQs and other resources for
   teachers, students and parents on their site.

   The biology department at Wichita State University has set up a similar forum, The Evolution Page, for teachers and students
   hoping to learn about evolution. The objectives section provides an exhaustive list of links to sites about evolution,
   phylogenetics and geologic time, among other pertinent subjects. One particularly valuable link goes to the National Academy
   of Sciences's offering, Science and Creationism, which reviews the evidence supporting evolution at length. The Evolution
   Page encourages visitors to submit any questions about what they learn to WSU's faculty.

   Are you thinking, "This isn't Kansas, Toto"? It doesn't matter where you live. Weighing in has simply become too easy--and
   too important--to not do so. To support the continued teaching of evolution in your own area, check out 25 recommendations
   from the National Center for Science Education.
 

Hand-out #10        Spider's Apprentice:  A Helpful Guide To  Web Search Engines
 See general site:
http://www.monash.com/
Then visit Spider's Apprentice:
http://www.monash.com/spidap.html

Tips on using search engines like AltaVista, Infoseek, Excite, Webcrawler, Lycos, HotBot, and Yahoo.

                          The Spider's Apprentice, Spidap, is not another search engine.  It doesn't crawl the Web looking for
                          new URLs.  It can't find stuff for you...but it can help you find it yourself.

                          That's what we're all about--helping you search the Web more efficiently. We explain to you how
                          search engines work.  We advise you on improving your own search engine ranking by careful use of
                          meta tags and keywords.  We guide you in figuring out which search engines are most effective--in
                          fact, we rank them for you. (See our current rankings below, and our more comprehensive ratings on
                          our In-depth Ratings and Analysis Page.)

                          New: Find books and other information on web search, web site promotion, and internet marketing.

                          New:  Search from our site -- try out all your favorite search engines!

                          Ever wondered what other folks search for? Now you can be a search voyeur!  To see some of the
                          questions searchers are asking, check out Ask Jeeves's posting of real-time queries.  It's fun to watch.

                          What's New with Search Engines

                          Many of the companies have been developing new applications to offer on their search sites (or else
                          buying technology from other companies to augment their own).  For example, Infoseek is offering
                          Express, a metasearch program you can download and install on your desktop.  It allows you to search
                          by category, save queries, refine queries, and it generally organizes your results.   Similarly, Altavista
                          has a downloadable desktop utility, Discovery, that allows you to search the Web, search the
                          documents on your own computer, and search your email files.

                          Meanwhile, here at Monash Information Services, we're looking at ways to get information more
                          effectively, too. For an introduction to our technology, please see our Elucidate site.
 

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Hand-out #11            Everybody's Ten Best List

Celestina Clee
Here are  some various math websites
1.CEC Lesson Plans
http://www.col-ed.org/cur/

The site has an extensive collection of lessons in social studies, science, mathematics, language arts, and  a  miscellaneous category.

2.Lesson Stop 1 Math
http://www.lessonstop.org/math.html

3.Highlights Teacher Net
http://www.teachernet.com/

This website provides a variety of links to not only subject areas but  to additional educational resources.

4. Bamdadís Math Comics
http://www.csun.edu./~hcmtho14comics.html

The site has a wide range of cartoons that can be used to stimulate discussions about attitudes towards mathematics and about mathematical concepts.

5. Mathematics Archives - Teaching Materials
http://wwwarchive.Math.Utk.edu/Teaching.html

This site provides teachers with only lessons and activities.  The website is really only good for teachers who are looking for these particular resources.

6.  Mathematics Projects
http://www.eduplace.com/projects/mathproj.html

This site is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to collaborate with other classroom teachers and participate in their projects.

7.  Flashcards for Kids
http://www.edu4kids.com/math/

This site offers students an opportunity to practice on basic arithmetic facts and more.

8. The Abacus
http://www.ee.ryerson.ca:8080/~elf/abacus/

9. Mathmagic
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/mathmagic/

10. Colorful Mathematics
http:///math.ucalgary.ca/~laf/colorful/colorful.html
 

Ten Web Sites   by John Gordon

WEBSITE NUMBER1-Kathy Schrockís Guide for Educators
URL-http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/

WEBSITE NUMBER 2-The History Channel
URL- http://historychannel.com

WEBSITE NUMBER 3-David Levins Learning @Web.sites  (History/Social Studies Dept.)  URL http://www.ecnet/users/gdlevin/sstudies.html

 WEBSITE NUMBER 4  Public Broadcast Service (PBS)
URL  http://www.pbs.org.neighborhoods/history/

WEBSITE NUMBER 5 New York Public Broadcast Channel 13
URL http://www.wnet.org

WEBSITE NUMBER 6 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS URL http://www.loc.gov

WEBSITE NUMBER 7  C-SPAN URL http://www.cspan.org

WEBSITE NUMBER 8 NEWSEUM URL http://www.newseum.org

WEBSITE NUMBER 9 CONGRESSLINK URL http://www.congresslink.org

WEBSITE NUMBER 10 THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES
URL  www.ncss.org
 

MY 10 BEST WEB SITES
BY: J. HODGE
# 1
http://www.thrall.org/govsites.htm is a site of government information on the World Wide Web.  Each topic that pertains to government is included at this site just by the click of a mouse.  This site is very important to me because one can find information that can be used in any subject area.  This information can be downloaded and used in conjunction with oneís curriculum, in order to reinforce studentsí learning.  For example, one can used the statistics section to reinforce areas of math.
 

# 2
http:// www.whitehouse.gov/ is the web site for the US White House.  There one can get information about the President and the Vice President, Interactive Citizensí Handbook, White House History and Tours, The Virtual Library, The Briefing Room, and Whatís New, to name a few.  I went to commonly requested services and downloaded "Twenty Things You Can Do and Learn On U.S. Government Web Sites.  Each one of twenty items has a website that one can get further information.  This site can be used for US History and various other subjects.  It is great for people who are interested in politics.
 

# 3
http://www.un.org/ is a website that is maintained by the United Nations Department of Public Information with technical support of the Information Technology Services Division.  It deals with topics of peace and security, international law, humanitarian affairs, human rights and economic and development as they pertain to various parts of the world.  There is a section that deals with UN documents and maps.  I was able to go to that section and download a very clear map of Israel.  This website can be used on a interdisciplinary manner in that it covers all subject areas.  It is a great place to go when doing multiethnic projects.
 

# 4
 http://www.nysed.gov/ is the New York State Education Department.  Its mission is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people of New York.  It gives information about the Board of Regents, Employment Opportunities, NYS Archives, NYS Museum, Professional Licensing, Reports, Teacher Certification, current news, and upcoming events.  This is a great site for teachers, parents, and students, especially those in the city, since some important aspects of education are decided in Albany.
 

#  5
http://www.uft.org/ the site of the United Federation of Teachers.  As a teacher, this site keeps me up to date about issues that affect me.  It has information about contracts, chapter leaders, UFT committees, UFT services, UFT political action, Instruction resources, web sites of interest and many other sites.  There are links leading to special education and related sites.

# 6
http://www.boardofed.com/is a web site called Screw School.  This website gives one the opportunity to view term papers belonging to other students.  This is great because students who are conducting research can use this site to give them ideas about writing research papers.  The research papers on this site were thoroughly reviewed college-level papers.  Upon review, they only post the top ten percent.

# 7
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Health/TeenHealth/index.html is a Teen Health Home Page.  This site is very important for teenagers.  It explores issues that affect teensí health.  For example, it covers issues on healthy sexuality, sexual orientation, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, womenís health, menís health and sexual assault.  Within each topic there are other links.  Some links even offer teens professional help.

# 8
http://www.bygpub.com/books/tg24w/volunteer.htm is a very good site that gives twenty ways for teenagers to help other people by volunteering.  It is in line with the school to work initiative.  When students donít have work experience, if they have volunteer skills, this is a big plus for them.  Most high school students refuse to volunteer because they wonít get paid.  Those who are willing to volunteer have various sites from which to choose.  For example, they can volunteer at special Olympics.

# 9
http://www.amnh.org is one website of the American Museum of Natural History.  This website offers numerous exhibitions and is a great source for all subjects.  This site can be visited upon showing the software "The Museum of Natural History."  This site can be used to teach just about any subject.  It has very strong Scientific exhibitions, historical information, and is a great reference.
 

# 10
http://www.petersons.com/testprep/gedtips.html is a site that offers GED tips and techniques to help students prepare to take the GED test.  It tells what one can find in the Writing, Social Studies, Science, Literature and Arts, and Mathematics sections of the GED test.  This site gives test preparation that one can do at home, sample questions, and one con download free software.  This is a great site especially to reinforce learning for students who have computers at home.

# 11      http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialstd/African_AM_bookmarks.html is a site that has information about African American History resources.  It has information ranging from baseball to museums to photographs to speeches to a time line.  This is a great site to help students with Social Studies, Writing, Mathematics and other subjects.
 

Bernice Abikzer
EdIN616

Best Websites

http://www.icom.org
Museums of the world on line.  Listed by Country.

http://www.nytimes/com/learning
The New York Times Learning Network
News summaries for students.  Other links.

http://www.pbs.org/
PBS onLine
Large site  offering archives of previously aired programs.  Cover all subject areas.

http://www.metmuseum.org/
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Excellent interactive museum site.

http://loc.gov
The Library of Congress
Most comprehensive site for all subject areas.

http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/arteducation.htm
Internet School Library Media Center(ISLMC) Art Education Page for K-12

http://telelearning.education.mcgill.ca/
TeleLearning Research Network
Creates educational model for the teaching of technology.

http://www.thinker.org/index.shtml
Art website. Interactive database of over 70,000 images.

http://www.si.edu
The Smithsonian Institute
Many museums under construction.

http://www.nasa.gov/
NASA website.

10 Best Internet Sites
Cecilia P. Evasco
Fine Arts
http://www2.cconnect.net/users/diana/Liter.htm

The Perseus Project
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/

The English Server
http://www.eserver.org/

An Evil House of Cheat
http://www.cheathouse.com

College View College Search
http://www.collegeview.com/home/index.html

Kathy Schrockís Guide for Educators
http://schooldiscovery.com/schrockguide/

Learn the Net
http://www.learnthenet.com

ePALS Classroom Exchange
http://www.epals.com/

A Web of Online Dictionaries
http://facstaff.bucknell.edu/rbeard/diction.html

Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District
Educational Technology Links
http://www1.harlingen.isd.tenet.edu/images/itclink.htm

TOM GUARINO

1. The Smoking Gun  http://www.thesmokinggun.com
This site features many interesting facts that have been classified by one agency or anotheróuntil now.  Teachers of social studies can take some of the more tame articles and integrate them into the curriculum.

2. Disinformation   http://www.disinformation.com
A great site for an alternative view of the modern world and those making news in it.  I highly recommend this site if you are an open minded person.

3. McSpotlight   http://www.mcspotlight.com
The need to keep track of our multinationals has never been greateróand thankfully, McSpotlight is keeping close watch on the cryptic, overseas maneuvers of McDonalds.  Check out the chat room for lively debate!

4. Dark Side of the Net   http://www.darklinks.com
A site that features over 7,000 working links.  If you like horror, or need something gruesome to cover the walls of your classroom, then this is the place for you.

5. World Book Online   http://www.worldbookonline.com
I like this siteóit is an online encyclopedia that can update its holdings at web speed.  An excellent resource and well worth the membership fee.  Check out the historical facts of the day each day.

6. Grolier Online  http://go.grolier.com
A site that we in District Four are giving a try.  So far it seems good, but we are still happier with World Book Online.  Your view?

7. MACOS Planet  http://www.macosplanet.com
I find this site a good alternative to the major Mac sites.  MACOS Planet gives useful tips to a host of Mac based software applications.   I also like the reviews, even if the level of writing could be improved.

8. The Seminole Indian Tribe  http://www.seminoletribe.com
If you want to email a group of native Americans anxious to tell you there side of the government-native American conflict, then this is the site for you.

9. CNN News  http://www.cnn.com
Probably the best mainstream news web site online today.  ëNuff said.

10. The SCIFI Channel  http://www.scifi.com
I like this site better than 99% of all cable TV channelsí sites.  I am especially enamored of the interface and the way that the site prompts you for your preferences, which are then stored and saved.  Upon your return to the site, the site reassumes the preferences that you set.  Neat!
 

THE TEN BEST EDUCATIONAL WEB SITES

JORGE RON

1.  SCIENCE POWER 2000
URL: http://www.luc.edu/schools/education/science/science.htm

2. Space Telescope Science Institute
URL: http://stsci.edu

3.  Math Magic Project
URL: http://forum.swarthmore.edu/mathmagic

4.  Megamath
URL: http://www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/

5.  World Wide Web Virtual Library: Mathematics
URL: http://euclid.math.fsu.edu/Science/math.html

6.  The Franklin Institute Science Museum
URL: http://sln.fi.edu

7.  Web Elements
URL: http://www-c8.lanll.gov/infosys/html/periodic/periodic-main.html

8. Yahooís Index of Science Resources
URL: http://www.yahoo.com/Science

9.   Antartica Maps
URL: http://icair.iac.org.nz/

10. Anatomy Image Browser
http://www.vis.colostate.edu/cgi-bin/gva/gvaview
 

Ten Educational Resources
MIRIAM RODRIGUEZ

Site-l Classroom Connect
 http://www.classroom.com

Site-2 International Society For Technology In Education
 http://www.iste.org.

Site-3 California Instructional Technology Clearinghouse (CITC)
 http://www.clearinghouse.K.12.ca/us

Site-4 Federal Resource For Education Excellence
 http:www.ed.gov/free/

Site-5 EDís Oasis
 http://www.edsoasis.org.

Site-6 SuperKids
 http://www.superkids.com

Site-7 Scholastic
 http://www.scholastic.com

Site-8 Curriculum Education Resource Finder
 http://www.cerfinfo.com

Site-9 Education World
 http://www.education-world.com/

Site-10-LearningWare Reviews
 http://www.learningwarereviews.com/
 

Galina Kievsky
www.teacherlink.usu.edu

www.paris.org./Musees/Louvre

www.csun.edu/%7Ehcedu013/index.html

www.historychannel.com

www.powerstudents.com

http://learning.turner.com/newsroom/

www.opinion-pages.org

www.loc.gov/exibits/african/intro.html

www.nytimes.com/learning

www.geocities.com
 

Robert Almonte
New York State Education Department
http://www.nysed.gov/home.html
New York City Board of Education T
http://www.nycenet.edu

MHS Lifelong Learning Net
http://mhs.sohonet.com

The Microsoft Teacher Network
http://www.microsoft.com/education/k12/classroom/

The New York Times Learning Network
http://nytimes.com/learning/teachers

Kathy Schrockís Guide for Educators
http://discoveryschool.com/schrockguide/index.html

WebTeacher
http://www.webteacher.org

Business Education Lesson Plans
http://www.angelfire.com/ks/tonyaskinner.index.html

AskERIC Database
http://www.askeric.org/

PageSpider
www.pagespider.com/teachers

Thatís all folksÖ If you send me more I will post them.  Happy Computing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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