The Science Spot: Digging Into Technology

One of the biggest challenges facing educators is finding the time to search for quality sites that will engage your students and provide appropriate content . The next challenge is sorting through the endless possibilities to find the real gems of the Net.

Lesson Plans, Projects, and Other Goodies
To save time, utilize search engines to find great educational sites. Search educational hot lists and kid-safe sites for quality links for your special project. From lesson plans to collaborative projects, browse mega sites for resources that meet your needs.

General Search Engines
Alta Vista
Dogpile
Google
Search Tools for Adults
Search Tools for Kids

Mrs. Trimpe's Favorites
Blue Web'n
Education World
Classroom Connect
Kathy Schrock's Guide
Surfing The Net With Kids
Global School House
eThemes

Mega Sites
About.com Education
Ask ERIC
Ed Gate
Educational Hotlists
Education Place (K-8)
EduNet
Eduscapes
ENC
Kid Info
Scholastic (K-8)
Study Web
Teacher's First
Teach Web
The Gateway
The Science Spot: Reference Desk
Track Star
Topmarks

Subject Resources - A few sites to get you started!

Math Mega Math Math Stories ENC Online US Census Bureau Totally Tessellated Figure This	English ERIC Reading Classics Archive 42Xplore - Journals 42Xplore - Poetry Kids Can W.R.I.T.E. Literature Ladders Nellie's English Projects	History History Channel SS K-12 Teachers Find A Grave Hyper History 42Xplore - Historical Maps Biography.com Social Studies 4U

Foreign Language National Geographic Travel Language Languages Little Explorers Free Translation	Art/Music/Drama Art Room Instrument Encyclopedia Classical Net Musicals.net	P.E./Health EW Nutrition Health Sites for Kids Baseball Hall of Fame PE Lesson Plans Health Teacher WebMD

Vocational Education BHG Live Agriculture Online Vineyard Challenge Career Links for Kids	Science Amazing Space Science Fair Central Unnatural Mystery Science Links for Teachers	Technology Techknowledgy Invention of the Week ActDEN EW Technology

Need information for K-6? Check out my Elementary Education Links!

Web Site Evaluation
As you browse through the various resources, take a few moments to consider the following:

Content
Does the site offer quality content? Is the information up-to-date? Is the information appropriate for your students?

Navigation
Is the site easy to navigate allowing visitors to move from one page to another? Does the site offer links to other parts of the site? Are there any broken links? Will your students be able to find the information they need?

Design
Does the site make good use of color, images, and other media (sounds, movies, etc.)? Is the page well-organized? Will your students find the site attractive?

Technical
Do the graphics cause the page to take too long to load? Does the site require plug-ins? If so, does it provide links to download sites?

Reliability
Is the information reliable? Does the site provide references or the opportunity to e-mail the author for clarifications? Has the site been updated recently to provide the latest information?

Overall Appeal
Will the site meet your needs? Does the site provide opportunities for students to explore and think?

Need more ideas? Want to find the latest gems?

Network with other educators through message boards (Education World) or online chats.

Visit teacher-created sites, district web pages, or web site reviews to find great sites (Education World Awards or Digital Dozen) and lesson ideas.

Find a great site? Check out the page awards, recommended sites, or web rings.

Join an e-mail list to receive daily or weekly newsletters on a variety of topics. Blue Web'n, Teacher's First, Classroom Connect, and other mega sites offer e-mail newsletters filled with great ideas.