Various Tools and Resources to Locate, Analyze, Evaluate, and Use Information for Research and Learning
Some tools that my students have access to that aren’t free are both WorldBook and Britannica Online encyclopedias and the Kids InfoBits database. These are great “entry level” tools that are useful in helping young students begin the research process. I teach them how to access and use the tool then monitor and support as they research curriculum content which then is followed by a creative use of the information they have collected to further their application and usage of technology tools to create a variety of products.
Inclusion of research models such as The Big 6 and graphic organizers such as those found at Teacher Vision or Web English Teacher Graphic Organizers can provide students with a framework as they learn to locate, use, and record information available from various sources.
No matter which tools you choose and use, the SmartBoard provides an excellent tool to introduce how to access and how to use any of the technology tools available. In addition, there are many excellent sites that have dozens of activities that can help students learn to evaluate and use information. Multiple links for SmartBoard usage are bookmarked in my http://www.portaportal.com/ account with Guest Access TBCapstone.
Digital Tools for Communicating and Collaborating with Diverse Audiences
There are several tools even elementary students can use to collaborate, provided they’re not filtered out! ePals is a site that is very useful for students to collaborate with others across the world or accros the country. Wikispaces provides free and easy to access space for students to collaboratively share ideas and create content. Edublogs and Blogger could serve about the same purpose as Wikispaces. Google Docs is a great collaborative tool and has a lot of potential for all learners, but it wouldn’t be my first choice for an introductory tool for young elementary students as there are so many components and sometimes it can be challenging to get your files where you want them. As an adult learner and educator I would consider using any of the above tools to collaborate with peers.
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