Effective Internet Use

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http://www.shambles.net

Effective Internet Use
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Diigo
http://www.diigo.com/
If you browse or read a lot on the web, we believe you will find Diigo indispensable. Diigo is two services in one -- it is a research and collaborative research tool on the one hand, and a knowledge-sharing community and social content site on the other.

13 Great Tools For Organizing The Web
http://mashable.com/2008/02/15/13-great-tools-for-organizing-the-web/
13 Great Tools For Organizing The Web
The web is a big and wonderful place, full of exciting pages and information that we all would like to go back to from time to time. Then comes the problem when you open your bookmarks and… you can’t remember the name of the site, or what folder you put it in, or you find a bookmark and you can’t remember why you saved it! Well, you’re not the only one - that’s why over the years people have been coming up with new and intuitive ways to bookmark and save content. We’ve gathered together 13 such tools to help you save your bookmarks with a visual twist, highlight sections of a page, and more.

Blummy
http://www.blummy.com/
blummy is a free tool for quick access to your favorite web services via your bookmark toolbar.
It's a kind of drop down menu consisting of widgets (called blummlets) that provide rich functionality. It works on almost every page on the web. Just click on it at your toolbar.
One use is to see graphical images of where links go ... might be helpful when evaluating websites.

Touch Graph
http://www.touchgraph.com
Touch Graph ... use this free Java application to explore the connections between related websites.

Google Notebook ... instructions for teachers
http://www.google.com/educators/p_notebook.html
Google Notebook ... instructions for teachers
If you spend a lot of time online, chances are you've come across information you wish you could revisit later, whether to digest it more slowly, investigate it further, or share it with a friend or colleague. With Google Notebook, you can browse, clip, and organize information from across the web in a single online location that's accessible from any computer. Crafting a lesson plan? Researching a topic?
Just add clippings to your notebook. You don't even have to leave your browser window.

Google Notebook
http://www.google.com/notebook
Google Notebook ... helping online research.
Clip and collect information as you browse the web.
Clip useful information ... You can add clippings of text, images and links from web pages to your Google Notebook without ever leaving your browser window.
Organize your notes ... You can create multiple notebooks, divide them into sections, and drag-and-drop your notes to stay organized.
Get access from anywhere ... You can access your Google Notebooks from any computer by using your Google Accounts login.
Publish your notebook ... You can share your Google Notebook with the world by making it public."
All from a small window that pops up from a button at the bottom of your browser.

myguide – making the internet easy for everyone (UK)
http://www.myguide.gov.uk
myguide – making the internet easy for everyone (UK)
For those who think computers and the internet are too complicated, too expensive, just for the young or just not for them, it could be a gateway to a whole new world.
Because myguide is for absolute beginners, it’s designed to be supported by staff so they can ensure people’s first steps onto the internet are so positive they’ll want to keep on using it.

About the Internet: Videos and PowerPoints
http://abouttheinternet.blogspot.com/
The link above goes to one of the Shambles "Forest of Theme Blogs" pages that provides videos and other multimedia resources to support the topic here.
If you would like to see all of the Theme Blogs then go to the full list at http://www.shambles.net/blogforest or click where you see this button

Jo Cool or Jo Fool - For Kids
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/games/jocool_jofool/kids.cfm
Jo Cool or Jo Fool - For Kids
Think you know about the Web? Here's your chance to prove it!
Take a CyberTour with Josie and Joseph Cool, as they visit their twelve favorite Web sites, and decide whether or not they're making smart choices. It's easy to do.
Every time one of the Jo's has to make a decision about a Web site, write down in your media journal
Once you've taken the CyberTour, see how much you've learned by completing the Jo Cool/Jo Fool CyberQuiz. There are twenty questions about the Net and how kids use it—are you up for the challenge?

The Internet Detective
http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/detective/
The Internet Detective
Welcome to Internet Detective - a free online tutorial that will help you develop Internet research skills for your university and college work.
The tutorial looks at the critical thinking required when using the Internet for research and offers practical advice on evaluating the quality of web sites.
It? designed to help students in higher and further education who want to use the Internet to help with research for coursework and assignments.

Scandoo
http://www.scandoo.com
Scandoo
Search engines are most people? entry point to new web sites.
At Scandoo we automatically scan all search results to protect you from visiting web sites that spread malicious viruses or spyware, and protect you from viewing offensive content.
Some sites you visit could lead to your computer getting infected with spyware or a virus. Our scanners inspect and classify all search results in real time before you click on the links so you can make informed decisions about the websites you visit and secure yourself against infection.
It? still very early days, and we have some enhancements we are working on to add more security for your searches and help protect you against criminal and offensive content on the web.
web 2.0

Internet Safety Online Interactive Resources
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/games/index.cfm
Internet Safety Online Interactive Resources
Privacy Playground: The first adventure of the three CyberPigs (Ages 8-10)...
In this first adventure, the CyberPigs learn about online marketing, and about protecting their privacy as they surf the Internet.
CyberSense and Nonsense: The second adventure of the three CyberPigs (Ages 9-12)...
In their second adventure, the CyberPigs explore the world of chat rooms and learn to distinguish between fact and fiction, and to detect bias and harmful stereotyping in online content.
Jo Cool or Jo Fool: Interactive module and quiz on critical thinking for the Internet (Grades 6-8)...
This interactive online game takes students through a series of mock sites that test their savvy surfing skills. The game ends with an online quiz, that gives students an even more in-depth level of information.

Guide for teachers and parents on good internet practice
http://www.broadbandsecurity.bt.com/img/teacherparentguide.pdf
Guide for teachers and parents on good internet practice (141 KB pdf file)
This guide highlights the risks that children may face, provides advice to help children in your care keep safe online and activities to make them think about online safety.
This resource includes worksheets to use with students ... and a ten point guide to keep children safe online.
Published by BT (UK)

Posters : Google Search Tips
http://www.google.com/librariancenter/librarian_tools.html
Posters : Google Search Tips
Free downloadable posters

Credibility Commons
http://www.credibilitycommons.org/
Credibility Commons
The credibility of Internet information is a problem. While the credibility of Information in general is an issue, the Internet presents a new set of challenges.
The MacArthur Foundation funded the American Library Association? Office of Information & Technology Policy and the University of Washington to investigate the issues of credibility of Internet information.
On the site, researchers will share computer programs that they and others have written to help users find credible online information. They also plan to gather feedback from Internet users on the ease and reliability of various methods for finding information on the Web, such as using search engines and posting questions on blogs.
One possible outcome of of this research would be creating a search engine that would direct users toward Web sites to which skilled searchers, such as reference librarians, frequently direct their users.

LEARN the NET
http://www.learnthenet.com/english/index.html
LEARN the NET
Welcome to Learn the Net, a website dedicated to helping you master this amazing medium.
TAKE a FREE MINI-COURSE...
- The Web-at-a-Glance
- E-Mail-at-a-Glance
- Web Publishing-at-a-Glance
- Smart Shopping-at-a-Glance

Free Online Course Materials : Using the Internet
http://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/english/trainers_topics.shtml
Free Online Course Materials : Using the Internet
Internet and E-mail Basics - Introduction to the Internet | Learning Internet Basics: Some Useful Guides and Tutorials | Reach for the Sky: A set of On-line Courses for Teachers | WebTeacher | Internet and E-mail Basics - E-mail | Mailing lists, newsgroups, and other discussion forums | Women Online: Training Kit | Finding Information on the Internet - Search engine basics |

Welcome to the RDN Virtual Training Suite
http://www.vts.rdn.ac.uk/
Welcome to the RDN Virtual Training Suite - a set of free online tutorials designed to help students, lecturers and researchers improve their Internet information literacy and IT skills
Work in your own time at your own pace - no one is monitoring you! There are quizzes and interactive exercises to lighten the learning experience.

WiredKids
http://www.wiredkids.org/
WiredKids is designed to teach kids how to surf safely and how to have fun doing it. We have a report line so that you can report bad sites, or get advice if you've found something online you don't know how to deal with.
While a large portion of Wired Kids, Inc.'s work involves preventing and helping investigate cybercrimes and abuses, Wired Kids also has a softer side. WiredKids.org has many online safety games for younger children and information for children of all ages as well as helpful information for teachers, parents and law enforcement.

QUICK : Quality Information Checklist
http://www.quick.org.uk/menu.htm
QUICK : Quality Information Checklist
Eight ways of checking information on web sites.
The web site is a resource to help young people evaluate the information they find on the Internet.
It uses imaginary examples, quizzes and puzzles to allow young people to explore for themselves the concepts around information quality. Many of the examples are health related, but the concepts can be used with any subjects that require information skills.

Quality or Quantity
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20050929thursday.html
Quality or Quantity
Comparing Criteria for Successful Search Results on Google and Yahoo
Grades: 6-8, 9-12
In this lesson, students will share opinions about the criteria they consider important in an online search engine. Using Google and Yahoo, they investigate various subjects and compare their search results. To synthesize their findings, students prepare recommendations for company executives suggesting how these businesses might improve their services.

How good an Internet Ranger are you?
http://www.internetrangers.co.uk/challenges.html
How good an Internet Ranger are you?
5 guides for you to work through with your new 'pupils' (your Gran, your Mum, your Dad or anyone you are helping to get online). The guides provide simple step-by-step instructions to mastering the basic skills needed for happy surfing.
Surfing the Internet | Using email | Using a search engine |

Internet Safety: What You Don't Know .... Online video
http://www.ncsbi.gov/icac/icac_parents_safetyvideo.jsp
"Internet Safety: What You Don't Know Can Hurt Your Child"
Online Video ... useful for parents evenings or teacher INSET ... or use in lessons.

i-SAFE
http://www.isafe.org/
The United States Congress has designated i-SAFE America Inc, a non-profit Internet safety foundation, to bring Internet safety education and awareness to the youth of this country. Founded in 1998, i-SAFE is a proactive prevention-oriented Internet safety awareness program. We provide age-appropriate K-12 curriculum to schools in all 50 states FREE of charge.
Founded in 1998, i-SAFE America provides Internet safety information and knowledge to students, parents, and everyone in the community in a variety of ways.
Parent Survey/Assessments | Webcasts | Implementation Plan | For Educators | Professional Development Program |
The i-Buddy Zone provides resources and activities especially for young students including the i-Buddy Times, music lyrics, and periodically updated online games.
Watch the online i-SAFE Professional Development Program (PDP) to become a certified i-SAFE Program Leader or Classroom Instructor. .. video segments

Search Challenges
http://grape.siteworx.com:8080/21cif.imsa.edu/tutorials/challenge/
Search Challenges test your strategies and tactics as you attempt to solve Internet research problems efficiently and effectively.
Combine play and performance while you sharpen your power searcher skills.

Planning A Student Internet Experience
http://rschooltoday.com/school63/genie36/images/files/b461_file9_42115.PDF
Tips for Planning A Successful Student Internet Experience

Internet Strategies
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/ntti/resources/internet1.html
Internet Strategies | Why Use Internet in the Classroom? | NTTI Internet Utilization Strategies | video clips |
As an experienced teacher, you already have lessons that work well for the age you teach and the topics you cover. To evaluate whether using the Internet will enhance your classroom practice, consider these questions ....

Designing for Information Foragers
http://www.internettg.org/newsletter/dec00/article_information_foragers.html
Designing for Information Foragers: A Behavioral Model for Information Seeking on the World Wide Web
This paper explains and elaborates a behavioral model for understanding how people look for information on the Web. The first half briefly reviews a wide range key research to provide a broader context for understanding human information seeking behavior and a starting point for further exploration. The second part proposes a model for organizing design ideas based on this research.

Internet Safety Game
http://www.kidscom.com/games/isg/isg.html
Internet Safety Game
The Idea Seekers want you to Play Smart, Stay Safe and Have Fun while you're on the Internet.
And you can do just that if you follow our tips. Read them and be sure to talk to your parents about them, too. Click 'Play for Fun' to see just how much you know

Evaluating the Quality of Information on the Internet
http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/
Evaluating the Quality of Information on the Internet
This guide defines the criteria, documents incidents of questionable, false or fraudulent information as reported in the news or trade literature, provides examples of Web sites that illustrate good or bad information, and suggests strategies that help you detect bad information.
Teacher's Copyright Permission Form | Why Information Quality Matters | Criteria for Quality in Information | How to Evaluate Information | Hoaxes and Other Bad Information | Alerting Services on Bad Information |

Better Googling
http://www.sreetips.com/google.html
Better Googling: Things You Didn't Know Google Does
When it comes to search engines, most savvy users swear by Google and use it to start their Web hunts. It's my default search engine - I go there first. Every time. I have converted hundreds of people over the years to Google and will continue to do so, until something better comes along.
But there? more to Google - five years old in Sept. 2003 - than the simple search function. Here are some additional Googling tools.

Website Popularity Check at UpTimeBot
http://www.uptimebot.com/
Website Popularity Check at UpTimeBot
Check the popularity of any particular website in the main search engines.
Promotion site web | Link popularity | Increase link popularity | Reciprocal link exchange |

Technology Integration
http://www.lburkhart.com/
Technology Integration
Using the Internet in Elementary Schools | Using the Internet in Middle Schools |

Browsing and Searching : Workshop Kit
http://pd.l2l.org/workkits/bands/default.htm
Browsing and Searching
If you are ready to share your Internet skills with other teachers, this Workshop Kit can help. This kit includes a Leader's Guide for Browsing and Searching the World Wide Web and online learning materials.
To make the Leader's Guide easy to print it is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you are using a slower modem (14.4), the Leader's Guide may take a few minutes to download.
The Online Learning Materials can be used in conjunction with the Leader's Guide. These online materials will support the learners by providing examples and practice items.
The Leader's Guide provides both structure and content for the workshop.

Promoting the Responsible Use of the Internet in Schools
http://www1.bcs.org.uk/DocsRepository/03900/3982/iap.htm
Promoting the Responsible Use of the Internet in Schools ... published (free) by the British Computer Society
Schools' use of the Internet is expanding rapidly and fascinating applications have been developed. Many schools have asked for guidance on ensuring responsible and safe use of this new communications medium.
This leaflet provides an overview of the issues for headteachers, governors and ICT co-ordinators. A range of approaches is described including education for responsible use and regulation to reduce misuse, leading to advice on writing an Internet Access Policy.
Contents:
- What is the Problem? A summary of the issues
- Strategies for Consideration An overview of what schools can do
- Writing a School Internet Access Policy Guidance for schools
- Resources and References Sources of additional information

Responsible Netizen Institute
http://www.responsiblenetizen.org/
Responsible Netizen Institute
The Responsible Netizen has been established to provide outreach services addressing issues of the safe and responsible use of the Internet. Our goal is to provide guidance to parents, educators, librarians, policy-makers, and others regarding effective, empowerment strategies to assist young people in gaining the knowledge, skills, motivation, and self-control to use the Internet and other information technologies in a safe and responsible manner.

Effective Use of the Internet
http://www.kingwoodclc.net/home/showcaseprimary/Eff%20Internet.html
Effective Use of the Internet
By the end of the session pupils were expected to have used the internet to search for information and refined the search using advanced search skills. Pupils searched the internet to find appropriate news articles relating to the same news, from different news sources.
Pupils copied text and pictures and created a newspaper relating to the news article.

Internet Proficiency Scheme
http://www.gridclub.com/grown_ups/cont_ict_cyb.shtml
Internet Proficiency Scheme aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils (UK)

To help teachers and schools educate children on staying safe on the Internet Becta and the DfES have developed an Internet Proficiency Scheme for Key Stage 2 pupils. The scheme aims to:
- Develop a set of ?safe and discriminating behaviours for pupils to adopt when using the Internet and other technologies.
- Develop an increased level of discriminating behaviour for pupils
- Provide teachers with easily accessible support materials to help develop ?safe and discriminating behaviours
- Offer pupils a set of activities that allow them to demonstrate what they know and understand
- Support the Continued Professional Development (CPD) of teachers through advice and information
- Integrate these safe and discriminating behaviours to the skills, knowledge and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum and Schemes of Work for ICT, PSHE and Citizenship at Key Stage 2
Intended learning outcomes for pupils:
- For pupils to understand when and where it is appropriate to give out personal information
- For pupils to understand how to evaluate web sites
- For pupils to know and understand how to respond appropriately to e-mails, chat conversations, and to have strategies in place should they come across an inappropriate or bullying e-mail or chat conversation
- For pupils to develop positive behaviours and an understanding of the virtual world in relation to the real world.
The children's interactive web site is live at http://www.gridclub.com/cybercafe/

Internet Proficiency Scheme
http://safety.ngfl.gov.uk/schools/document.php3?D=d45
Internet Proficiency Scheme aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils (UK)
To help teachers and schools educate children on staying safe on the Internet Becta and the DfES have developed an Internet Proficiency Scheme for Key Stage 2 pupils. The scheme aims to:
- Develop a set of ?safe and discriminating behaviours for pupils to adopt when using the Internet and other technologies.
- Develop an increased level of discriminating behaviour for pupils
- Provide teachers with easily accessible support materials to help develop ?safe and discriminating behaviours
- Offer pupils a set of activities that allow them to demonstrate what they know and understand
- Support the Continued Professional Development (CPD) of teachers through advice and information
- Integrate these safe and discriminating behaviours to the skills, knowledge and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum and Schemes of Work for ICT, PSHE and Citizenship at Key Stage 2
Intended learning outcomes for pupils:
- For pupils to understand when and where it is appropriate to give out personal information
- For pupils to understand how to evaluate web sites
- For pupils to know and understand how to respond appropriately to e-mails, chat conversations, and to have strategies in place should they come across an inappropriate or bullying e-mail or chat conversation
- For pupils to develop positive behaviours and an understanding of the virtual world in relation to the real world.

Integrating the Internet
http://www.siec.k12.in.us/west/edu/wwwdo/index.html
Integrating the Internet into the curriculum

Childnet International
http://www.childnet-int.org/
Welcome to the website of Childnet International - the children's Internet charity committed to helping to make the Internet a great and safe place for children.
On this website you can read about the way in which Childnet is working around the world with many other organisations to help highlight and promote the positive inspiring ways children can use the Net.
You can also read about the strategic education and policy initiatives we are engaged in which are helping to protect children in this new environment.
internet | use | safety |

The Web -- Teaching Zack to Think
http://www.anovember.com/articles/zack
The Web -- Teaching Zack to Think
Is your high school teaching students to access the Internet for research? Then it is essential that students also learn how to validate the information. The Internet is a place where you can find "proof" of essentially any belief system that you can imagine. And, for too many students, "If it is on the Internet, it is true."
The following story is also true.
Fourteen year old: "I'm working on a history paper about how the Holocaust never happened."
Long pause. "Zack, where did you hear that the Holocaust didn't happen?"
"The Internet. It's on a Web page at Northwestern University."
Evaluating internet material |

Virtual Field Trips created with TourMaker
http://www.tramline.com/tm/
Tramline developed TourMaker© software back in 1996. Over the years TourMaker© has earned a reputation as the best tool for creating Virtual Field Trips and Web Tours. Field trips created with TourMaker have a consistent, professional, and easy to navigate format that prevents users from getting "lost in cyberspace." TourMaker© is incredibly easy to learn and easy to use.
TourMaker Field Trips take you through a sequence of Web pages on any given subject. For each page, there is simultaneous commentary in an accompanying window. You move forward and back through the Web Tour using the tour Control Panel and you can leave the Tour to explore links and return to it whenever you want. Tours run on all popular browsers. You only need to know how to click a mouse!
prevent students from getting lost! | provide a safe journey through the Internet | are inexpensive | take you through a sequence of Web pages on any subject you choose | provide custom instructions or commentary about each visited Web page | move forward and back through the field trip using the Control Panel | allow you to leave the field trip to explore links and return to it whenever you want. | are SO easy to use--you only need to know how to click a mouse! |

WebWord.com
http://webword.com/whatiswebword.html
WebWord.com is a mission driven by John S. Rhodes, to provide you with outstanding usability information for all of your Internet endeavors.
The site is devoted to helping you improve your Internet presence. WebWord.com is unique in that it takes a very broad approach to usability and human factors. John gives you quality information about everything from the usability of email to reading on the web to gaining the trust of your users.
Learn what makes users tick | Know what books are relevant to your job | Make your Web site easier to use, and easier to learn |

Enriching Your Curriculum with WebBytes
http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/sbeck/teacher_making_the_connection3.htm
"A WebByte is a short WWW lesson, which contains one teaching point related to an essential academic learning requirement. The WebByte uses the resources of the web, a small piece at a time, usually on one site, to teach students one idea or concept."
Ways to Utilize WebBytes | What Does a WebByte Look Like | Volcano World | Animals of the Rainforest | The Planets | Bears | How Do I Find Sites to Use? | Use This WebByte form to create your activity | Qualities to Consider When Picking a Site for WebBytes | Mrs. Jackson's Morris Farm | Alphabet Book | Barnyard Friends - A Primary WebQuest | Butterfly WebQuest | Creepy Crawly Critters | Weather Watchers | Monarch Butterfly WebQuest | CyberGuides K-3 - Language Arts Online Lessons | Weather Channel - Cumming or another city | Graph It! | Dinosaur Alphabet Book | What is a Butterfly? |

DfES National Research Centre for ICT in Education
http://www.learninglab.org.uk/
The University of Wolverhampton and the Learning Lab have been appointed the DfES National Research Centre for ICT in Education, Training and Employment.

Resources for Accountability
http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/WCE/archives/account.htm
Measuring the Impacts and Shaping the Future | Center for innovative Learning Technologies |

Power of the Internet for Learning
http://interact.hpcnet.org/webcommission/index.htm
The Power of the Internet for Learning: Moving from Promise to Practice
The Internet is a powerful new means of communication. It is global, it is fast, and it is growing rapidly. Reaching to the far corners of the earth, the Internet is making the world at once smaller and more connected, transmitting information at nearly real-time speed. An estimated 377 million people are currently using the Internet, only half of whom are in the United States.
The report we are now submitting to the President, to Congress, and to the nation reflects the cumulative work of our Commission and a consensus of our findings.
The Internet is a promising tool. Working together, we can realize the full potential of this tool for learning. With the will and the means, we have the power to expand the learning horizons of students of all ages.

e-learning (USA) Research
http://www.ed.gov/Technology/elearning/index.html
The latest research and evaluation studies demonstrate that school improvement programs that employ technology for teaching and learning yield positive results for students and teachers. Given that many schools and classrooms have only recently gained access to technology for teaching and learning, the positive outcomes of these studies suggest a future for education that could be quite bright if the nation maintains its commitment to harnessing technology for education.

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