Lab 05: Evaluating Web Sites and Internet Safety Practices

Description: Using the Internet to complement curriculum provides many opportunities for both student and teacher to diversify their resources and approaches to traditional lesson material. You can go online, using a search engine, and find just about anything imaginable if you look long enough. But what should you consider before integrating websites, email, and/or discussion groups into your classroom?

Many websites exist for similar topics, but some are better than others. There are technical aspects of a website to consider along with the quality and reputability of its content. Also, there are safety issues to consider when you are using the Internet in the classroom. Unless there are content filters on your school's connection, the WWW contains many kinds of content that can be found that would be inappropriate for kids. Also, even with filtering, there is potential for abusive contact by predators online or even between students. How can you manage this situation?

Reading: Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning, pp. 228 – 231; 390 – 399
Applications/Equip: Windows OS, Microsoft Word, Web Based Email Client, Internet Browser.
Lessons: Evaluating a Website.

Links:

Tools for Evaluating Web Sites
Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Critical Evaluation Surveys and Resources - from Discovery.com and Kathy Schrock.

Resources for Internet Safety Practices
Ivy's Search Engine Resources for Kids - A list of search engines for kids with a form for each search engine, allowing searches.
Issues of safety when using the Internet in the Classroom - by Bruce Droste, describing the rules that students/teachers should follow when using the Internet in the Classroom, part of thirteen.org.
Sample Appropriate Use Policy (AUP) Forms - Policies set by the Illinois State University.

Lab Procedure:

1. Find a website that you might use to support a part of your class curriculum. Be sure to choose a specific subject matter and a grade level for the curriculum.

2. Fill out the Critical Evaluation Survey by Kathy Schrock (see link above), for the website you've chosen. Be sure to select the form appropriate to the level of your class and put your name on the form. You will hand-pass this portion of the assignment next class.

3. Write an "Appropriate Use Policy" (sometimes called an AUP or Acceptable Use Policy) that the students and their parents would have to sign before using Internet resources in the classroom. Be sure to write it to the level of the student that you will be teaching.

4. Save your "Appropriate Use Policy" in a word document, appropriately named (jones_lab05.doc), with your last name, email address, and lab number at the top.

5. Send your word document to my AC230 Digital Dropbox on York’s Blackboard. The subject line should give your name and the lab number (Frank Jones Lab 05).

You will not receive credit for labs missing your name OR lab number. Late labs will never receive more than 50% of the total points possible. Labs more than one week late will receive a zero. Labs 3 – 15 and 18, 19 MUST BE SUBMITTED TO MY DROPBOX IN BLACKBOARD.