Chapter 8: Integrating the Internet into the Curriculum

Types and Examples of Web-Based Lessons and Projects

• Electronic pen pals: http://www.epals.com
• Electronic mentoring: http://www.telementor.org/
• Electronic field trips: http://www.tramline.com http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/virtual.html http://www.polarhusky.com
• Electronic Publishing: http://voicethread.com/
• Group product development: http://www.ciese.org/collabprojs.html
• Problem-based learning: http://kancm.org/ http://www.projectpioneer.com/mars
• Social Action Projects: http://www.earthdaybags.org http://www.iearn.org/

Sites with collections of Web-Based Lessons and Projects

• http://www.learner.org/interactives/ All content areas- mostly science, geography, and history
• http://www.stevens.edu/currichome.html Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE)
• http://www.$$.edu/fellows The Franklin Institute Online
• http://www.nationalgeographic. com/xpeditions/ National Geographic Xpedtions
• http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/education/education.html National Geophysical Data Center

Web Page and Website Authoring Tools

• HTML: is the Internet standard for how web pages are formatted and displayed. Beginners can find a variety of HTML tutorials, tips, and tools on the Internet.
• Java: high level programming language; has become popular because of its ability to allow users to create interactive graphic and animation activities on web pages.
• VRML: develops and displays 3D objects on web pages
• PERL: used to write Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programs that create dynamic documents. Web page users can insert their comments or answers into active web pages as they run on a server.
• Web Development Software: Web development tools generate HTML, CGI scripts and other code so that users can develop web page and website products without having to know programming languages.

Recommended Web Page Development Sequence

• Plan and Storyboard: make a rough sketch of the page for the site by using cognitive mapping software such as Inspiration or 3 by 5 inch sticky notes place on large pieces of poster board to represent the web pages.
• Develop pages with text: create blank web pages and insert text elements such as titles, paragraphs of description, and any text labels that will later serve as links.
• Insert images and media: Images and animations must be in GIF or JPEG format; movies and sounds must be in MPEG format.
• Insert links and frames
• Insert interactive elements: If desired, make the web page "interactive" by inserting JAVA applets, interactive forms, and mail-to commands to gather comments from users who visit your site.
• Test in a browser: Many development programs have a built in preview system, but it is essential to test the site with an actual browser to observe how it will work when it is published on the web.
• Publish (upload) the site.
• Gather evaluation comments, revise, and maintain the site.