Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“Integrating the Internet into the Curriculum”

1.     Background on Web-Based Activities

a.     Research encourages teachers asking themselves the following questions before deciding to do an online project:

                                               i.     What is the curriculum-related purpose of the activity?

                                              ii.     Does the Internet enhance the activity?

                                            iii.     How will the student use online resources (as opposed to just locating them)?

                                            iv.     Do students have the necessary information analysis/information synthesis skills, or am I going to include them in the instruction?

                                              v.     Do I have the necessary time and support for the activity?

b.     Types and Examples of Web-Based Lessons and Projects

                                               i.     Use of technology as a means of collaboration

1.     Interpersonal exchanges

2.     Information collection and analysis

3.     Problem solving

                                              ii.     Electronic penpals

                                            iii.     Electronic mentoring

                                            iv.     Electronic field trips

                                              v.     Electronic publishing

                                            vi.     Group product development

                                           vii.     Problem-based learning

1.     Collaborative problem solving; ‘webquests’

2.     Parallel problem solving

3.     Data analysis

4.     Simulated activities

                                         viii.     Social action projects

                                            ix.     http://www.stevens.edu/currichrome.html  (Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education)

                                              x.     http://exchange.co-nect.net/Teleprojects (Co-Nect teleprojects)

                                            xi.     http://www.exploratorium.edu/educate/index.html (Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art, and Human Perception)

                                           xii.     http://www.$$.edu/fellows (The Franklin Institute)

                                         xiii.     http://www.globalschoolnet.org/ (The Global Schoolhouse)

                                         xiv.     http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/ (National Geographic lessons and resources)

                                           xv.     http://www.teachersdesk.com/lessons/lessons.htm (Teacher’s Desk Lesson Plans)

c.      Integration Strategies for Web-Based Activities

                                               i.     Support for student research

                                              ii.     Motivation for writing

                                            iii.     Practice for information literacy skills

                                            iv.     Visual learning problems and solutions

                                              v.     Development of collaboration skills

                                            vi.     Multicultural experiences

d.     Website Support for Web-Based Learning Activities

                                               i.     Project overview, announcement, and application

                                              ii.     Tutorial instruction

                                            iii.     Information summaries and exchanges

                                            iv.     Communication and support

                                              v.     Displays of past and current student work

                                            vi.     Project development centers

e.     Assessing the Quality of Web-Based Lessons—rubrics

2.     Resources for Web Page and Website Development

a.     Web Page and Website Authoring Tools

                                               i.     HTML

                                              ii.     Java

                                            iii.     VRML

                                            iv.     PERL

                                              v.     ActionScript in Adobe Flash

b.     Downloading Images, Programs, and Plug-Ins

                                               i.     Image format—various ways of storing the data behind an image; you can tell how an image is formatted by the suffix in its filename

                                              ii.     Plug-ins—special programs that have been created to allow users to see and hear the multimedia features on the Internet

c.      File Transfer Options: Email Attachments and FTP Programs

                                               i.     FTP—File Transfer Protocol

                                              ii.     Requires specific software and a server set up to receive files

3.     Procedures for Developing and Evaluating Web Pages and Websites

a.     Required Development Resources

                                               i.     Web development software

                                              ii.     FTP software

                                            iii.     Server to house the website

b.     Caveats When Creating Web Page Information

                                               i.     Limit the sharing of personal information

                                              ii.     Limit photos and large graphics

                                            iii.     Address web page criteria

c.      Recommended Web Page Development Sequence

                                               i.     Plan and storyboard

                                              ii.     Develop pages with text

1.     Anchors

2.     Frames

                                            iii.     Insert images and media

                                            iv.     Insert links and frames

                                              v.     Insert interactive elements

                                            vi.     Test in a browser

                                           vii.     Publish (upload) the site

                                         viii.     Gather evaluation comments, revise, and maintain the site

d.     Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages and Website Design

                                               i.     Good structure and organization

                                              ii.     Clear text and/or graphic links

                                            iii.     Good visual design

                                            iv.     Easy navigation

e.     Criteria for Evaluating Student Web Production—rubrics