Web sites/Online Tools

In this class, Learning through Technology, we covered a long list of different online tools and Web sites that teachers can implement into their classroom.

For teachers Web sites include K12 Online Conference, EdTech Talk and Rubistar. While for students, sites like Glogster and Wordle could be beneficial. But regardless of the sites used, teachers need to be aware of making sure these sites, and sites students use to search, are appropriate for the classroom.

In class, we discussed things to check on a Web site to make sure it contains accurate and appropriate content. Some of those things include:

-Who made the Web site (check credentials at the bottom of the site... or on one of the pages)

-Based off of WHO made the Web site: Is that person/company/organization biased toward one point instead of showing both sides and all accurate points regarding the topic?

-When was the site last updated?

-What is the authors credentials/background?

You can also use Kathy Schrock's Guide to Web site Evaluations for students to evaluate the different Web sites. What I've learned through in-class observations and in this class, is most districts/schools block unnecessary content-based Web sites. One of the biggest blocked sites is YouTube. If a teacher can access YouTube, they should use "SilentTube" to can make sure no inappropriate advertisements are displayed.