Implementation Assistance
One of the central aspects of this Internet-based module is the use of real time data. Because of this your students will frequently be required to access the Internet to collect data. Recognizing the fact that most teachers have limited Internet and computer access we have created these guidelines to help you better implement this project in your particular technology environment.
The lessons have been designed to allow a teacher flexibility of lesson selection and best fit into the existing curriculum. It is not necessary to complete all of the lessons, however, it is recommended that all of
the Core Activities are completed prior to students undertaking other Enrichment Activities. Please review each of the lessons carefully and use your judgment for allocating class time for the project. The information below may assist you with the implementation of the project:
Limited Computer Access
The following suggestions may assist implementation in a limited access situation.
Group Work
By creating cooperative student groups you can rotate them between various learning centers, one of which would be the computers and Internet. This means that you will need to develop learning centers for the students who are not at the computers. It is useful to use the learning centers to develop the necessary skills students may need later on in the project. For example, if students will need to graph real time weather data at the end of the project then one of the learning centers could be focused on developing graphing skills. Another suggestion is to rotate students once a day through the learning centers rather than trying to rotate them through in one class period. This will give them more time on task and will allow them to complete all of the necessary work before moving on.
Periodic Data Collection
When large amounts of data need to be collected or when many students need to collect their own data it can be useful to spread the work out over long periods of time. This can be accomplished by assigning students to the data collection job each day and then having them do their work during down time or at the start or end of class. If you are going to use this technique be sure to plan for it far in advance since you may have to collect data for awhile before actually needing to use it in the project.
Print Internet Resources
If the computer that is connected to the Internet also is connected to a printer, then you can print out the information that is to be shared with students. You can then either make xerox copies or copy the print-outs to a transparency to use with an overhead projector.
Web Whacker Software or Other Web Collection Utility
A web collection utility program will download specific web pages and associated graphics to a floppy disk or hard drive. Once you have saved the web pages you want (from a computer that is connected to the Internet), you can then view those same pages from another computer in your classroom that is not connected to the Internet. Multiple web pages can be downloaded and links between pages will be maintained. Web Whacker is one of the more popular programs for saving web pages in this manner.
Linking up with Other Schools
Looking for a partner class in a different part of the world? The links below will help you find a collaborative partner.
ePALS - A great source for linking up with other classrooms. Use their search feature to find a class in a particular part of the world, grade level, or subject of study.
Intercultural E-Mail Classroom Connections - Click on "Browse IECC"
Using Handouts
Students can access the data from home computers (when available) OR by giving them a handout each day with latest data.
Teacher Presentations
Teachers with 1 computer connected to a projection device can use
the Internet to introduce or enrich a unit, or prepare students in the use
of a web site before a session in the computer lab.
Learning Centers
Students can rotate through different activities during the course of
one class or over a longer period of time. Each student or group of
students takes a turn working at a different activity or learning
center.
Back-up Information
Save the files: Save the web pages to a disk / hard drive or cache of your computer beforehand.
Hard copies: Print and make copies of specific images or data
(e.g. the list of recent earthquakes) ahead of time to have on hand.
Mirror Site Information
A mirror site is a copy of this web site which is located on a different computer, acting as a back-up in case our computer server, network, or electrical power is down for any reason. The mirror site is updated
once a day to reflect any changes made to the web site in the previous 24 hours.
You can access the project mirror site at the web site address below:
http://www.k12science2.org/curriculum/weatherproj/
Write down the mirror site address in a place where you will have quick and easy access to it if need be. If possible, print out this page to keep for future reference.
Refresh
Browsing the internet requires downloading multiple files from the internet to the computer. Users often wait long periods while complete web pages slowly show up on their computer screen. To speed up
browsing time, the files that are downloaded are temporarily stored in the cache (referred to as Temporary Internet Files in Internet Explorer). Often in a Computer Lab setting, the computers are not shut down
each day, and the temporary files remain on the computer.
So, if a student visits a real time data site one day, the information from the site is stored in the cache. If a student revisits the same web page a following day, the browser will first look in the cache for the
information before it goes to the internet for the most recent image.
To prevent confusion, the students should first look for the time and date stamp on the image. If it is not the most recent image, click the “Reload” or “Refresh” button. This will insure that the latest data is displayed.
Internet Explorer uses the term “Refresh”, and the Refresh button can be found next to the Back and Forward buttons in the toolbar.
Netscape Navigator uses the term “Reload”, and the Reload button can be found next to the Back and Forward buttons in the toolbar.
Toggling Between Browser Windows
Toggling is the term used to describe switching between open browser windows.
You can have more than one web page open at a time using the same browser or using different browsers.
To open a new window in Netscape Navigator, simply click on File, and from the drop-down menu, select New, and then Navigator Window. A new window will open where you can type in a separate web
address.
To open a new window in Internet Explorer, simply click File, then New, and Window.
If you are reading a web page and want to see one of the links in another browser window, simply right click on the link and select, Open link in new window.
To toggle between windows on a PC, simply look at the status bar, usually located at the bottom of your screen. You will see buttons with the titles of the web pages that are currently open. Simply click on the
window you wish to view.
Internet Safety
It is important that any educator using technology has an understanding of the potential dangers that the Internet poses and steps to protect students. Armed with this information, teachers can both protect their students as well as educate the public to the benefits of the technology.
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