Grades 6 - 8, Technology Integration

• Blog BasicsNot sure what others are talking about when they mention blogs? Read this article and you'll soon know what all the talk is about.
• Evaluating Web Sites-Five Basic CriteriaHelp students learn to apply five basic criteria when evaluating Web sites.
• Cell Phones in the ClassroomInitially banned by schools as an unnecessary distraction, events such as the Columbine tragedy and the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 have made most districts reconsider the place of cell phones in middle and high schools.
• Internet Safety and Security: What Teachers Need to KnowInternet security is a critical technology issue that affects both teachers and students. This articles gives an overview of the types of Internet security and safety measures operating in schools today.
• Building Your Class Web SiteFrom file directories to FTP, find basic technical information about launching your class Web site in this article.
• Bridging the Broken LinkLearn a few simple tricks for finding your way to that "lost" page.
• Integrating Technology into Social StudiesFind lesson ideas with step-by-step methods and Web resources for each.
• Using Technology to Motivate Middle School StudentsMiddle school students are motivated by experiential learning activities. Effective technology-based activities require students to do more than look up information; they require students to "do" something with it.
• Middle School Web ResourcesCheck out twenty great online resources for middle school students and teachers.
• Simple HTML for Educators Understanding a few basic HTML tags can help teachers avoid confusion and publish exactly what they want to the Web. This article describes the essential html tags to know.
• Beyond Podcasting BasicsOnce teachers and students have mastered the basic concepts of podcasting, they can produce more full-featured professional podcasts.
• Creating Laptop Success: Training is the KeyTeaching with laptops can be a daunting task, especially if you are faced with new equipment, new platforms, new protocols, and other technical challenges.
• Creatively Implementing Interactive White BoardsSimilar to the white board most teachers use in the classroom, an interactive white board connects to a digital projector to display anything on the computer to which it is connected.
• Podcasting BasicsMany students carry iPods and other portable music devices everywhere they go.
• Social BookmarkingA social bookmarking site provides a way for students or teachers to save all of their links in one place on the Internet.
• Five Ed Tech Conferences You Don't Want to MissHere are five educational technology conferences that offer educators and administrators an opportunity to learn how to integrate technology across the curriculum.
• The 10 Best Science Museums on the WebWe've selected the leading science museums web sites that are guaranteed to engage learners of all ages.
• The Perils and Pitfalls of WikipediaWhat is Wikipedia? Is it reliable source? Here is what you and your students need to know about this popular reference site.
• Copyrights and Permissions: Giving Online Credit Where Credit is DueWhat students need to know about using online resources and how you can facilitate such knowledge.
• Online Assessment: Where is it headed?Online assessment is rapidly gaining favor with school districts around the country. Find out what this technology is and where it is headed.
• Collaborating in Online CommunitiesOnline communities are a great place for educators to share teaching strategies, ideas, and what works or doesn't work in the classroom.