No-cost Help from
the Web to
Increase Teaching
Effectiveness
“The Computer as an
Educational Tool:
Productivity and Problem Solving”
©Richard C. Forcier and
Don E. Descy
Today
We will look discuss and look
at a potpourri of websites to
help in the teaching and
learning process.
Overview
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The Web
Power tools to make life easier
Power tools for the Web
Power tools for fun
Conclusions
The Web
• Everything you really need is out
there…
• You just have to know how to
find it!
• Let’s take a look
Power Tools to
Make Life Easier
Google It!
• (About Google)
• Definitions
Format: define:(word)
Example: define:memo
• Spelling
Format: (word)
Example: potpourri
Google It (2)
• Calculator:
Math, units of measure,
conversions, physical constants
• Format:
5+9*7
Quarter cup in teaspoons
140 pounds * 300 feet in Calories
Google It (3)
• Translations
• (Language Tools)
• Translates Web pages and text
Übersetzt Netzseiten und -text (GR)
Traduce las páginas y el texto de la tela (SP)
Traduit les pages et le texte d'enchaînement (FR)
Traduce le pagine di fotoricettore ed il testo (IT)
Traduz páginas e texto da correia fotorreceptora (PG)
Citations
• MLA and APA
• Template driven
• http://
citationmachine.net
Cable Programming
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40+ cable networks
Over 500 hours a month
Easy search, class guides,
Programming, guides, copyright
information, education resources
• http://ciconline.com
Rubrics Generators
• “For teachers who do not have
time to develop their own”
• Also many examples and search
options
• http://rubistar.4teachers.org
Puzzlemakers
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Puzzlemaker.com
Create and print puzzles online
http://puzzlemaker.com
Free puzzles
Hundreds of puzzles/member
solutions
• http://freepuzzles.com
Lesson Plans
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LessonPlansPage
A favorite: 2,500+ plans
Grouped by subject
Forums, newsletter, etc.
http://lessonplanspage.com
Survey Makers
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Web-based surveys and polls
http://zoomerang.com
http://www.getfast.ca/
http://opinionpower.com
http://surveyall.com
Free Resources
• Activity sheets, worksheets,
puzzles, flashcards, household
chore charts, etc.
• http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/ed
ucation/links/free.html
Power Tools for
the Web
Learning About the Internet
• LearnTheNet
• Great site for kids
and near-kids ;-)
• http://learnthenet.com
Free Web Hosting
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Set up your own website for free
http://50megs.com
http://ripway.com
http://www.free-web-spacefinder.com
Accessibility Accountability
• Free service to encourage/check
compliance with
federal/state laws
• A must for education Web pages
• http://webxact.watchfire.com/
Web Storage
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Yahoo Photos
Free: Albums, sharing, etc.
http:photos.yahoo.com
Yahoo Briefcase
Free: Store and
share files
• http://briefcase.yahoo.com
Bloggers
• weBLOGs - Free tools for
journaling on the Web
• “Everyone is doing it”
• Articles: Time, CNN,
Using: Public radio, political
parties, and people
• http://www.blogger.com
Power Tools for Fun!
Who am I?
• Genealogy
• Many sources, but LDS is a great
first place
• http://www.familysearch.org
I need information
• The Reference Desk
• The everything page… just about
• http://refdesk.com
Google It! (4)
• I need food!
Format: (food) (city or zip)
Example: pizza 56001
• Find the plane
Format: flight ID
Example:
AA105
Google It! (5)
• How is the weather at the
airport?
Format: (airport ID airport)
Example: TPA
• Track the package, find the
patent, USP code
Format: (number)
Teacher Pages
• http://teachershub.com/teaching/
resources.cfm
• http://www.americanteachers.co
m
• http://teach-nology.com
That is about it…
Questions/Comments?
More information:
descy.net
kathyschrock.net/cooking
Making Online Activities
• Fill-in-the-blank
• Pick topic, search the Web,
gather links…
• And *Shazam*—a
ready-made activity
• http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/
fil/
Web Portfolios
• eFolio Minnesota
• Free to all Minnesota residents
• Step-by-step template
driven
• http://efoliominnesota.com