Compiled by Mary L. McNabb, EdD, program associate, and Chris Newton, assistant Web developer for the Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Center at the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.
Many schools are finding that the Internet provides one of the most useful technology tools available for the classroom. Through the Internet, students and teachers can move beyond the walls of the classroom and access up-to-date information, as well as maintain contacts with organizations and individuals who can greatly enhance the learning experience. Many schools are also planning to develop their own Web site. The following is a list of on-line resources, representing some of the best Web sites about technology and the Internet, compiled to keep Web site developers abreast of the latest in technology news, Web design and development tools, security issues associated with maintaining a Web site, telementoring capabilities, and educational uses of the Internet.
| Geek-Talk and Technology News | Access discussions of Internet technologies and the latest news concerning the Internet. |
| Information Storehouses | Visit sites containing information on almost every aspect and/or design feature available on the Internet. |
| Instructional
Designs to Visit |
Explore exemplary models from those using the Internet in teaching and learning environments. |
| Security Issues | Access information on Internet security issues. |
| Telementoring | Explore the most recent developments in telementoring through the use of networks and the Internet. |
| Web Design Features | Investigate and preview innovative new features in Web page development. |
| Web Design Tools (Authoring, Software) | Examine the current software and languages used for development of Web pages. |
| Comments and Suggestions to the Editor | Write the editor with your comments and suggestions regarding these resources and/or your Web site development concerns. |
Simson Garfinkel: Simson Garfinkel's Tech Archive contains easy-to-read, informative articles on the Internet/World Wide Web. Recent critiques discuss the advantages and limitations of Web-supported programming languages, integration of innovative technologies (such as WebTV), and the security issues involved with Web site creation.
Geek Talk: This site offers multiple perspectives on the rapid growth of Internet technologies. Hot Wired's staff of columnists present their views on hot topics with a sense of humor that makes these columns quick reading. The topics in "Geek Talk" range from introductions to and comparisons of new technologies, programming languages, and ways of accomplishing specific tasks within your Web page. At the end of each column is an electronic form that allows you to ask the "geeks" questions of your own.
HyperStand/New Media: The HyperStand site features daily news postings and a link to New Media Magazine. Another section, "Highlights," allows users to access news articles from previous weeks that were of particular note. The articles published here concern innovations in technology and do not delve into the "how to" of Web development.
Internet World: Internet World is published monthly as a print magazine; however, this Web site offers back issues of the magazine, 1993-present, for on-line browsing. The articles provide current and authoritative comments on the newest technologies, trends, and products that deal with the Internet. The magazine is not geared toward consumers, but rather users and developers.
NetGuide/TechWeb: The highlights of this site are many. NetGuide not only posts daily technology news on their site, but they also publish a weekly e-mail newsletter, which is e-mailed directly to you for free. "TechTools," one of the many links on this visually attractive page, features information on state-of-the-art tools for creating multimedia Web sites. Another link, "TechHelper," discusses and reviews the latest in Internet software.
Internetweek: Internetweek (formerly Communications Week Interactive) is a site that daily posts the latest in technology news. Links to several other technology and Internet-related departments within this on-line magazine are also available.
NCSA Access On-Line: The National Center for Supercomputing Applications' on-line magazine offers a variety of information on topics ranging from current technology news to a beginner's guide to HTML programming. They are also toting a customizable experience, which will tell you the articles you have read and which will e-mail you when articles that interest you (according to a profile) are published.
The Verity Virtual Library: Verity Inc.'s search engine scans almost 50 Web-related mailing lists and thousands of World Wide Web pages on Internet-related topics for the search topic you enter. It also allows you to scan by category (e.g., HTML, Web browsers, Security, What's New?).
The Web Developer's Virtual Library: This site literally contains something about everything on the Internet. If you are looking for any kind of information, check here. They also provide a WebMaster's Encyclopedia of terms.
webreference: A virtual cornucopia of information on the World Wide Web: new technologies, authoring hints, code examples, reviews, and more for beginners as well as more seasoned Web developers.
Web Review: This site is divided into six main areas, several of which are extremely useful to the Web developer: Design Studio, Technology, Programming, Business, Diversions, and Cover Story. The Design Studio, Technology, and Programming sections contain ample amounts of articles covering both basic and advanced topics. The Cover Story section discusses a current, important Internet-related issue.
Educational Solutions: Case Studies: This Netscape site illustrates the success with which Internet technologies have been implemented to aid education. The site links to schools that exhibit their exemplary use of this fast-growing technology.
Engines for Education: Northwestern University's Institute for Learning Sciences has created an Web site that offers an interesting method of navigation: a non-linear, interactive experience with hypertext. The user selects a question to investigate (from a limited set) and is linked to different parts of the hypertext, which in turn provides information from which to formulate answers to the question. Elements of this site are still under construction; however, these elements are not crucial to this navigation engine.
Exemplary Projects Integrating Math and Science: Created through a collaboration of the Midwest Math and Science Consortium, FERMI National Accelerator Laboratory, and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, these projects exemplify technology integrated approaches to teaching and learning math and science. Projects are well-detailed and available for all grade levels.
QUOVIS Application Samples: This site contains demos for the QUOVIS Author software, a program which enables a developer to easily add interaction, sound, video, and animation to his or her Web page. To see these samples requires QBrowser, which can be downloaded for free at this site.
WWW Constructivist Project Design Guide: This site, created by the Institute for Learning Technologies at Columbia University, outlines and guides the user through the steps of creating constructivist projects centered around the World Wide Web. Several helpful links, many being examples of completed school constructivist projects, help the user visualize the concepts presented in this graphically pared-down page.
Web Projects Registry: Originated by the Global SchoolNet Foundation (GSN) and sponsored by Walden University, the registry archives on-line projects from teachers around the world. Anyone can access the information and other teachers are encouraged to register their own on-line projects.
The Java Security Hotlist: This site contains a list of links to other sites that discuss Java security issues. Most of the list is conveniently annotated. The list also points out sites to avoid.
Safe Internet Programming: Related Web Sites: Most of the links in this site, which is maintained by Princeton University, deal with Java. However, the types of security issues investigated and discussed may be applicable to other aspects of Web-site development. A newsgroup is also listed.
Cu-SeeMe: A Global SchoolNet Foundation (GSN) program sponsored by Canon Visual Communications, CU-SeeMe offers students in classrooms around the world the opportunity to communicate with other students, authors, scientists, government members, and others. This program utilizes the power of video conferencing to provide real-time interactivity for students and field experts. This site provides an introduction and an extensive look into the activities of the CU-SeeMe program.
Global Schoolhouse: Another branch of the Global SchoolNet Foundation (GSN), the Global Schoolhouse gathers resources to aid educators with the implementation of technology in their schools. The Schoolhouse lets educators to view class projects from other schools, illustrates schools that have maximized the use of technology in the classroom, and provides access to free Internet software from Microsoft (the sponsor of this program).
Guides for Educational Uses of Networks: Although this site is still under construction, it has already gathered an impressive list of articles on the best ways to use networks in education and on working techniques for networked school projects.
NCSA Habanero: NCSA has entered the fray of designers aiming to create collaborative software with Habanero, a multi-party, expandable real-time conferencing program. Habanero features numerous tools, such as a whiteboard, audio chat, text chat, and collaborative browsing. The software is currently in its third beta form and available for download.
Teaching Teleapprenticeship Project (TTa): In this site hosted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, you will find an overview of the TTa project aimed at improving teacher education through the use of telecommunication technology. The site also examines the implications of this project for K-12 classroom practices. Details on frameworks, research issues and design, and other emphases are also available for browsing.
Audio/Visual Streaming: A/V streaming refers to the integration of audio and video files into a Web site, eliminating the need for the user to download these files in order to hear or view them. An article by Brent Hurtig explains streaming technologies and reviews eight programs that support audio and/or video streaming.
Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII): The institute is a branch of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University and is dedicated to designing high quality computing technologies which "serve the needs of real people." Thorough reports of the activities of the HCII are available, as well as links to other sites concerning human-computer interactions; one of particular note is Yahoo's List of HCI material on the Web.
IEEE Computer Graphics in Education: The authors of this page have gathered articles demonstrating the use of computer graphics in education. This is the first issue of a magazine focusing on this topic.
Meta Content Format/Framework: HotSauce MCF is a new way to find and access content files on the Web. The user "flies" through 3D virtual space that contains layers of nodes. These nodes represent http, ftp, or gopher sites or any other files stored on a particular Web site. By flying toward a node, the user will be taken to the file it represents. Navigation is accomplished via the mouse, quickly and simply. This site contains current information that details MCF, from how it was made to how to use it on a Web site. It does require plug-in, available for free download at this site. See the xspace directoryfor an MCF view of MCF Web sites.
The Palace: The standard "text" chatrooms that the majority of internet users are accustomed to are slowly becoming primitive. The Palace has integrated the aspects of chatting and gaming to create a graphic-based chat-world. Users choose avatars, or visual representations, and wander around connected chatrooms that can take the appearance of anything from a saloon to a field of standing stones. Download a trial version for free.
SemioMap: The SemioMap Java applet, created by the Semio Corporation, searches large quantities of data (e.g., the Web) using "semiotic analysis." In other words, SemioMap takes your search string, finds the sites for you, and then extracts concepts from those sites that are related to your search string. The results are posted in a two-dimensional graphical format, which you can navigate by clicking on words and then "zooming" in on the results.
Virtual World Wide Web: This site creates a 3D virtual experience of the World Wide Web. It requires Viscape plug-in, downloadable for free at this site.
WebTV Networks: This home page for WebTV provides enough information to give the user a good knowledge base about the product. Breakthrough information is constantly added to the site in the "news" section.
Backstage Internet Studio 2: Macromedia offers a free 60-day trial version of the Backstage software at this site. Backstage provides Web site developers with a What You See Is What You Get authoring tool along with many features unique to this product. The Backstage object library contains objects that can be "dropped" into your Web page, allowing you to host discussion groups, connect to data bases, and create e-mail forms with a few clicks of the mouse. The product also claims to allow your Web site visitors to customize their experiences. Check out this review of Backstage.
Gamelan: This site proclaims itself to be the Official Directory for Java, and with good reason. Aside from from news, tutorials, and publications, available at this site are over 2000 Java applets, including over 600 listed as "educational." By subscribing to the Developer.com newsletter, you will receive weekly updates and news excerpts from the Java world.
Netscape Communicator: Netscape's new Internet browsing, authoring, and communication software package, Communicator, will soon become the new standard for Netscape users. This site discusses the features, benefits, and potential of Netscape Communicator. One advantage of particular note is its ability to host real-time collaboration and discussion groups. The Preview Release Version 3 is now available.
Jamba: Jamba was designed by the folks at Aimtech to make dynamic Web page construction easier. The program is similar to Microsoft's FrontPage but does not compete with it. Jamba cannot be used to create Web pages, but it does allow you to easily create Java applets that can be inserted into your Web site. A free trial copy is available for download at this site.
Java World: The on-line version of this magazine allows access to back issues but not to the current issue. The "Nuts & Bolts" section of the site provides help and hints for every one from beginners to expert Java programmers. Recent articles discuss creating a chatroom with Java and how to write CGI programs with Java. "Java Resources" reviews the newest Java applets and tools.
WebTV HTML Guide: This site describes the features, interface, and style guidelines of creating Web sites for WebTV, along with listing all of the HTML tags supported by the WebTV browser.