There are other ways that I might be able to use web-based resources in the classroom to support student learning. For example, I could use web sites that offer the following:
- virtual musems
- online newspapers that offer current and past information
- successful science projects or experiments to give the kids ideas
- educational games
- webquests
- Math equation calculator
Websites that offer the above give students a more engaging way to research what were once boring topics and require kids to be creative and imaginative when it comes to school work.
I think that using the Internet to support my own research and the research of my students is a great tool to take advantage of. The Internet contains a vast amount of information that is relatively easy to access if you know how to look for it. Knowing different ways to search for topics in a search engine is immensely helpful when trying to find the answers to your questions. Using the Internet to facilitate research is almost always helpful. It can, however, occasionally complicate the process. For examples, some websites that are suitable for teenagers to use are too mature for young kids to be looking at. There are also sites that enable the public to publish information on them and some of the information may be wrong. On the other hand, the Internet offers a vast majority of information that is hard to find anywhere else, especially in a way that is as easily accessible.
In the past, my go to method for searching for Internet-based resources for use in my school has always consisted of Googling a few keywords or phrases about the question I am trying to find the answer to. I have never been particularly concerned with citing where I found the information unless the assignment I was working on required that we do so. I did not even know that such a things as Creative Commons existed and that some people want their information used and shared while others require you to obtain permission. I have not used any of the information I have found in my searches word for word and claimed it as my own, but rather just as a point of reference to give me ideas about what to write about or how to answer questions. Now that I know about Creative Commons licensing and the difference between that and other licenses I will strive to be more careful in giving credit to my sources when using the Internet to do my research.
Blogs that I commented on:
Technology & Teaching 