Contents April 2001

FROM THE CLASSROOM

Collaboration is the Name of the Classroom Internet Game
By Ken Royal
If you're looking for some ways to use computers and the Internet in your classroom or computer room, then you could consider collaboration with a museum, an online expedition, another school or classroom. In this article, Ken shares three collaboration examples and hopes that these examples will spark and generate new ideas for collaboration in your own classroom. Opportunities abound, and a simple e-mail may begin a wonderful journey.

Add Pizzazz to Your Art and Social Studies Lessons
By Barb Dinslage
Barb is convinced that technology and computers have made a profound difference in her teaching and student learning. Through the use of art and technology, her students discover an appreciation of art, as well as an understanding of the diversity of cultures, places, and historical periods in a sequential time-line. Students discover new information and cooperation and collaboration become integral components of lessons.

Migrating Birds Know No Boundaries
By Pini Peled
The "Migrating Birds Know No Boundaries" project is multi-disciplinary, interactive, and computerized. It combines concepts from geography, physics, biology, and technology sciences through the study of the unique, twice-annual phenomenon of 500 million birds migrating over Israel. Designed for high school students, the project promotes research through studying and teaching creatively, using an alternative instructional method and offering students a unique way to learn scientific methods and concepts. Eighty schools are participating in the project this year.

TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARY/MEDIA COORDINATORS' CORNER

Technology Coordinator

The Successful Technology Coordinator
By Jeanette Parham
Technology Coordinators wear many hats. In order to do the job well, technology coordinators should be aware of certain techniques and strategies that will make them successful. Jeanette lists her strategies for success that include listing what a technology coordinator is, knows, and does, and she provides a checklist to measure effectiveness.

TECH TALK

Flying Monkey Alert
By Bill Bateman
Bill poses the idea that part of the reason why technology isn't working in our schools can be evenly split between lack of or poor training for teachers and technical and system issues. In a survey he conducted on the effectiveness of instructional technology staff, the approval level of their work was low. Bill explores some reasons behind why support and maintenance are so poor.

ISSUES & OPINIONS

Toward an Information Society
By Heba Ramzy
More than 80% of the world's population lives in developing countries with a low literacy rate, poor telecommunication infrastructure, and low per capita income. How will they compete in the global economy and what are their chances? No improvement can happen without help from the countries' intellectuals, critical thinkers and children -- those who can make a difference in the countries' future by helping the growing information society through the use of information and communication technologies. Heba's report shows how Eqypt is starting from grassroots to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

WEB TOURS

Readers' Reports

Homework Help
By Susan Brooks
At one time or another, most teachers have heard excuses from students concerning missing or late assignments. Today, however, teachers can encourage students to use the Internet as a solution for some of these issues. Susan points to a number of Web sites that offer on-going homework help. In addition to providing access to research materials, some sites have online tutorials, message boards and email services for specific questions, live chats for students to participate in, and help areas for parents and teachers.

Planning a Party
By VaReane Heese
Children enjoy planning a party. Now they can use Internet resources and other technology to plan their event. VaReane explains the brainstorming and planning that should come first and then describes the Web sites to bookmark for students to visit in planning and organizing fun events for their parties.

Web Sites for Months and Seasons

National Mathematics Education Month
By Kim Carter
April is Mathematics Education Month. As it turns out, the Web has so many exciting mathematics sites that the real challenge is sifting through them all to find the best. Below are a few of the ones that tickled Kim's mathematical fancy, with a final site that ThinkQuest students created to index scads of the best of the best.