Web-based Resources

URLs: What do URLs tell you/students about web sites?       

The first thing I look at in an URL is the domain designator. These, as Roblyer and Doering state, “indicat[e] the type of content one would find at the website” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 216). For my research purposes I hope to find websites with using .gov (government) and .edu (higher education institution) domain designators. Another thing I look at in an URL is the length. Generally, a longer designator insinuates the precise location of a certain material. A shorter designator usually leads to a homepage and/or general information.

Search Engines: How can learning to use search engines help you/students find better information?

Teachers and students alike do not always know the exact URL address they need to locate information. Even when they do, there may still be better options available. Using a search engine can resolve both issues. By using keyword searches, web surfers can browse websites to find the best available resources. Users can view the listed URLs in hopes to find trustworthy domains.  In addition, knowing how to use the advanced settings in research engines helps to narrow down the numerous options available. 

Internet Tool: Choose one Internet Tool and discuss how you might use it in a classroom.

I believe that e-Portfolios are excellent tools for the English classroom. When students know that their work will be available for public view, they’re more likely to spend time perfecting it. Tools such as e-Portfolios are also a great way for students to organize their resources. I would probably use e-Portfolios to show-case a large project for the classroom; and, in doing so, let students explore their creativity and technological abilities.

Web-Based Lesson: Discuss and link to a web site where students could access or you could create a web-based lesson.

One amazing website Knowing Poe is an excellent example of a web-based lesson offered through electronic field trips. It offers tons of electronic activities that explore Edgar Allan Poe as both a man and a writer. Everything is interactive and educational. Plus, it just looks really cool! Additionally, I love the accreditation behind this program: funded by the U. S. Department of Education Star Schools and Ready to Teach programs.

Favorite Web Sites: Finally, pick two web sites that you feel are your favorite. Post the web sites and talk about why they will be beneficial to teachers and/or students.

The Purdue Online Writing Lab is an excellent resource for students and teachers on common grammatical, research, and composition topics. To help users access this wealth of information, The Purdue Online Writing Lab provides “good structure and organization” and “easy navigation” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 255). It also comes with an .edu domain designator, standing for “higher education institutions,” which give me an added comfort level for trusting the website (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 216).

The Poetry Foundation website is another excellent resource for the English classroom. The wealth of information provided here, both a vast collection of poetry as well as research information on and connecting to their authors, offers students and teachers a way “to search for materials and information to support their research and production work” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 207). The easy navigation of this site is also an excellent to “practice for information literacy skills” by “locating and using information from Internet sources” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 245).

 

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.