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Have you noticed that you can never find exactly what you need, but you can always find interesting, irrelevant websites? Do you need a personal assistant to help you wade through all the websites you've written on scraps of paper? Do you have more bookmarks than books? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need Dr. Lamb's prescription for Information Overload. This session will help you find the "best of the net" and provide realistic strategies for integrating Internet resources into classroom activities. This web page is a companion to a conference presentation.
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Technology Overload
You need a prescription for Information Overload! This session explores the "best of the net", managing overload, realistic integration strategies, and finding what works. Best of the Net Rather than viewing the Internet as a huge, unmanagable collection of resources, identify a set a resources that can help you find quality materials. Look for tools in the following areas:
Search Tools What you really need is your own personal assistant to help you locate materials for children, teens, and adults. Instead, look for websites that can help you with this job. Ask yourself what you're really seeking. If you have a category of resources you need, use a directory or guide and find your topic. For example, a guide would help you find online news resources. Use a search engine when you have a specific topic you seek. For example, a search engine could help you find information on hurricane preparation. A meta engine will search multiple search engines at once. Get started with the following links:
Teacher Resources Look for teachers resources in the following areas: teacher sites, subject area sites, television sites, textbook sites, and best-of link sites. Teacher Sites
Television & Video
Textbooks, Tradebooks, Software Publishers Sites
Best Of Awards Links Look at your favorite sites. Check the awards on the page. Click on the award. Look for the links.
Tools and Calculators Find a teacher resource builder. Look for puzzlemakers, worksheet makers, story problems, converters.
Learning Environments Find a your teaching assistant. Locate online collaborations, WebQuest, tutorials, case studies, simulations.
Managing Overload Remove the Pain Plan ahead - get a scan converter, get speakers, preview as class, and group students or schedule the lab.
Get Organized Organize your bookmarks - search tools, starting points, professional tools, and topical. Find a starter site. Create pages. Work your way up - paper, bookmarks, word processor, and web pages. It’s easier than it looks!
Limit Options Preselect 3-4 general sites. Create worksheet - site, questions. Print out pages
Reduce Pressure Focus on a standard, a question, an info need. Avoid stuff you already have!
Fly Away Connect to outside classrooms - epals, projects, sharing
Revive Curriculum Draw on student interests. Match curriculum to student interests
Handle Plug-in Pain Are they worth it? Real Audio, Real Video, Shockwave
Techie Stuff - Drivers, Plugins and Tools
Use Multimedia Provide variety - Audio, Video, Graphics
Find a Friend Email friends, use teacher chatrooms, locate lesson websites.
Ten Techie Bug Ideas Realistic Integration Strategies - Know your bugs! Bug: Limited data Use real-world data. Collect data. Share it with others. Compare data. Draw conclusions.
Bug: Need practice Give students practice. Match to ability levels. Create worksheet guides. Provide a challenge. Expect results.
Bug: Slightly off Modify a website to fit your needs - Different grade, country, emphasis Bug: Linkrot Update a broken site that’s good. Fix linkrot. Locate new links. Email webmaster!
Bug: Boring Reports Use a webquest.
Bug: Need review It’s fun, but it’s also a good way to review
Bug: Resource limits Expand your curriculum. Beyond the textbook.
Bug: Too much info Start with database. Apply the info - letter to protect, place in habitat, write a poem. Compare the findings
Bug: Keeping up Bookmark classic sites. Visit regularly. Mark specific pages - NASA, Smithsonian, PBS
Bug: Maintain fun Incorporate themes - bulletin board theme, computer in learning center, handouts, printed web pages. What’s cool to kids?
Find What Works If you’ve been sitting in the waiting room…it’s time to help yourself! Start with what you already do…Love That Dog, Sharon Creech.
I’m nervous What if kids get into something bad? Use “kid sites”. Provide a specific site and activity.
I’m hiding Look for sets of info that are easy to use
I’m uncomfortable I feel like a fish out of water. Try a large group activity.
I’m not “cool” I feel like I’m in the wrong century. Combine old & new Books & Internet I’m a klutz It doesn’t work for me. Find sites that others suggest. Email & Lists.
I feel pressured! Try email. Do it regularly. Ask an expert. Post results.
Yuck! Just try one thing. - a special day, a contest, an email activity
I’m different There’s something for everyone!
Let’s Go! - X-Ray Self-Check Are you ready for
the piranha? or at least a few goldfish? |
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Created by Annette Lamb, 3/03. |
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