The document discusses teaching and learning with technology, focusing on using the web for teaching and learning. It covers understanding web sites and how they are structured using hyperlinks. It also discusses evaluating web sites, using multimedia like graphics, audio and video on web pages, and how search engines and portals work. The document then provides information on different types of educational web resources and how to design effective class web sites.

1. Teaching and Learning with Technology
Using the Web for
Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Chapter 8

2. Understanding Web Sites
A web site is
• A series of related web pages
• Pages are connected by means of hyperlinks
• Activating a link by clicking jumps the user to
the connected web page
• Links can also jump to other web sites
• Moving between pages is called navigating a
web site
Teaching and Learning with Technology

3. Understanding the Web
• Web pages are written in a formatting
language called HTML
• Web browsers are programs that translates
HTML into the text and graphics on a web
page
• Files written in HTML are stored in web
folders on a web server
• Browsers let users browse through these files
Teaching and Learning with Technology

4. Understanding the Web
• Every web server has a specific address
called a URL
• URLs are preceded by http:// which stands for
hypertext transfer protocol
• http:// designates that the method of
interacting (protocol) will be via hypertext
transfer
• Many browsers automatically insert http:// so
users do not need to type it
Teaching and Learning with Technology

5. Evaluating Web Sites
• Web sites should be evaluated before using
them in the classroom
Web sites should
• Be well designed and logical to follow
• Have appropriate authority and expertise
• Be free of bias
• Not be selling a product or viewpoint
Teaching and Learning with Technology

6. Multimedia on the Web
Graphics
• Visual images and pictures enhance the
educational value of a Web site
• Different graphic formats may impact how
easily a site is used
• GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) images may
be still or animated artwork
• JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group)
images are typically used for photographs
Teaching and Learning with Technology

7. Multimedia on the Web
Audio
• Sound clips can add dimension to a Web
page
• Formats vary in download time and playback
• WAV and AU files may need to be downloaded
before being played resulting in delays
• Streaming audio plays files as they are
downloading but may require an additional
(free) streaming audio player
Teaching and Learning with Technology

8. Multimedia on the Web
Video
• Video clips can add moving images to a Web
page
• Streaming video allows for viewing as the clip
is downloaded
• Due to bandwidth problems, images may be
somewhat choppy
Teaching and Learning with Technology

9. Search Engines
• Search Engines are programs that help users
find information on the Web
• Web site creators register their URL along
with key words that describe their site and a
brief description of their site
• Search engines maintain a data base of
URLS, key words, and descriptions
• When users type in key words to find, search
engines return URLs that match
Teaching and Learning with Technology

10. Search Engines
• Some search engines use bots, automated
programs, to generate their databases
• When using search engines it is important to
use exact key words to avoid extraneous hits
• Boolean operators such as AND, OR, and
NOT can help to refine searches and avoid
undesired hits
Teaching and Learning with Technology

11. Portals
• Some sites that started as search engine
sites have grown into portals
• Portals offer a variety of services including
email, conferences, and chats
• Portals are also “doorways” to other Web
sites
• Unlike ISPs, portals do not provided
connections to the Internet
Teaching and Learning with Technology

12. Educational Web Resources
On Line Publications
• Many magazines, newspapers, and journals
are now available via the Web
• Articles can be saved or printed in HTML or
PDF formats
• HTML formats require a web browser to view
or print them
• PDF files need Acrobat reader to view or print
them
Teaching and Learning with Technology

13. Educational Web Resources
Professional Organizations On Line
• Most major organizations have a Web
presence
• Resources from organization Web sites
include news, articles, links, calendars, and
conferences
• Subscribing to organizational listservs can
keep busy educators current on key issues
Teaching and Learning with Technology

14. Educational Web Resources
Governmental Sites On Line
• Local, state, and Federal web sites offer
valuable resources
• Governmental resources can be freely used
since they are “owned” by taxpayers
• The US Department of Education offers or
sponsors comprehensive services to
educators including ERIC
Teaching and Learning with Technology

15. Educational Web Resources
Education Portals
• Portals dedicated to teaching and learning
offer targeted resources for educators,
students, and parents
Links
• Most educational Web resources provide
links to related sites
• Book marking these links gives quick access
to favorite sites
Teaching and Learning with Technology

16. Educational Web Resources
Classroom Management Tools
• Some sites include downloadable or on line
tools for teachers
• Such tools include
• Puzzle Makers
• Test Generators
• Diagnostic Tests (learning styles, etc)
• Electronic Grade Books
Teaching and Learning with Technology

17. Educational Web Resources
Academic Tools and Resources
• Other sites include downloadable or on line
academic tools and/or resources
• These include
• Lesson Plans
• Worksheet Generators
• Reference Tools
• Encyclopedias
• Teaching Ideas and Exchanges
Teaching and Learning with Technology

18. Web Enhanced Instruction
Enhancing Communication
• Teachers can enhance classroom
communications via a class Web site
• FAQs on a Web site can answer common
student and parent questions
• Conferences and email let people interact at
times convenient and in a manner
comfortable to them
• Chats allow for documentable conversations
Teaching and Learning with Technology

19. Web Enhanced Instruction
Linking Students to the World
• Global learning communities can be
established for cross cultural sharing
• Key pals establish personal contacts and
communications
• Projects can be developed internationally that
engage students in research and
communication
Teaching and Learning with Technology

20. Web Enhanced Instruction
Building Bridges to Parents and Community
• Class web sites share what is happening in a
classroom with parents, other schools, and
the community
• Posting current homework and class events
keeps parents informed
• Involving the community and posting joint
projects creates and supports partnerships
Teaching and Learning with Technology

21. Designing Class Web Sites
Storyboarding
• A storyboard is a text and picture
representation of the sequence of pages on a
web site
• Storyboards may be done on index cards by
hand or with software tools such as
Inspiration
• Storyboards let you think through the entire
site and the relationships and links between
pages
Teaching and Learning with Technology

22. Designing Class Web Sites
Site Consistency
• A class Web site should be consistent in “look
and feel” from page to page
• Colors should not only be visually appealing
they should be consistent in terms of use
from page to page
• Buttons should be consistently placed for
easy navigation
Teaching and Learning with Technology

23. Designing Class Web Sites
Medium vs. Message
• Don’t let the versatility of Web page design
overwhelm the message being
communicated
• Limit colors and font styles
• Add only those animations and graphics that
enhance the message
• Maintain balance and leave white space
Teaching and Learning with Technology

24. Designing Class Web Sites
Stay Bias Free
• Information presented should be based on
facts
• Opinions should be clearly identified as such
• Pages should be reviewed for gender,
cultural, and ethnic bias
Stay Current
• All materials should be dated to maintain
currency
Teaching and Learning with Technology

25. Designing Class Web Sites
Include a Site Map or Search Engine
• Site maps show a snapshot view of all pages
included in the site
• Site maps help visitors quickly find desired
pages
• Offer search engine software to search your
site for desired information
Teaching and Learning with Technology

26. Designing Class Web Sites
Using Multimedia
• Add audio and video for interest and to
enhance content
• Be sure to include links to any players visitors
might need to use the multimedia
components you include
Current Links
• Offer links to you favorite tools, links, and
other educational resources
Teaching and Learning with Technology

27. Designing Class Web Sites
Provide Contact Information
• Visitors may wish to contact you by email or
mail
• Include a hot link to your email address as
well as your school’s postal mail address
Provide Copyright Information
• Let visitors understand whether you allow
them to use elements of your pages and
under what conditions
Teaching and Learning with Technology

28. Designing Class Web Sites
Access for Disabled Visitors
• Include a design and links to software that
facilitates the use of your Web site by visitors
with disabilities
Site Content
• Keep content focused on your Web sites
goals
• Be sure to include key elements such as
teacher name, school, class information, etc
Teaching and Learning with Technology

29. Designing Class Web Sites
Authoring Made Easy
• Web authoring systems let teachers create
HTML files without knowing the language
• Many popular applications let you save files
created by the application in HTML
• Some application include Web Wizards to
facilitate layout and linking of web page files
• Free authoring software may be provided by
your ISP or Web host
Teaching and Learning with Technology

30. Designing Class Web Sites
Uploading your Classroom Web Site
• You may be able to add your site to your
school or district Web server
• Or you may select to use a Web host, a site
that provides Web site space to educators
• Be sure to review hosts for
• Policies regarding placing adds on your site
• Amount of web space available
• To upload, you will need to use an FTP
program
Teaching and Learning with Technology