Teachers Count

Best of the Web

Best of the Web: Technology in the Classroom

Periodically we compile a list of the best of what the Internet has to offer to teachers—be that in the classroom or just in daily life. The current edition, “Technology in the Classroom” highlights websites that feature information on new classroom technology and upcoming trends in education. Enjoy!

If you would like to suggest a topic, please email us at info@teacherscount.org.

Cutting Edge Technology for a Cutting Edge Classroom

Bookshare.org: Bookshare.org has been awarded a $32 million five-year grant by the Office of Special Education Programs of the U.S. Department of Education to provide all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities free access to the entire Bookshare.org collection of accessible electronic books and the software for reading those books.
Club Zora: ClubZora is explicitly designed to help young people explore issues of identity and cultural diversity and to promote positive development through the use of technology. Zora engages youth by allowing students to participate in an online community where they can design a virtual city, write stories, create characters, chat with each other, and import advanced multimedia items by using the web-based Zora multi-user 3D graphical environment.
Digital Learning Commons: The Digital Learning Commons (DLC) is a nonprofit organization working to improve access to educational opportunities and learning resources by providing educational materials, online courses, and technology tools to all students and teachers in Washington State.
Education.com: Education.com is a varied and lively site with links of all sorts. There is a great deal to cull through, but a good deal of the articles and ideas are worth the exploration.
Education World: This site helps you bring technology into your classroom and create interactive activities for students of all ages.
Educational Training Network: This site offers state-by-state listings of available conferences, opportunities to set up school site seminars, as well as research-based lessons focused on stimulating and challenging students.
EmTech: Over 15,000 resources organized by topics for teachers, students, and parents are presented here.
Films for the Humanities & Sciences: Films for the Humanities & Sciences is distributor of more than 7,000 films and CD-ROMs for educational use.
FNO: This site highlights education technology that promotes literacy.
General Motors: This site features interactive technology activities for grades K-12, including designing your own car and imagining a hydrogen economy.
George Lucas Foundation: The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) is a nonprofit operating foundation that gathers and disseminates the most innovative models of K-12 teaching and learning in the Digital Age
The International Society for Technology in Education: The International Society for Technology in Education offers teacher professional development and conference listings to provide educators with the training to make technology a reality in their classrooms. Assessment and curriculum guides are also available.
K12 Online Home Schools: K12 Online Home Schools, is the largest operator of online schools across the country. They provide access to curriculum and education tools, enabling students to receive quality education regardless of geographic, financial, or demographic circumstances.
Math Archives: Focusing on technological skills, this site introduces graph sketching and spreadsheet construction. It also delves into topics like utilizing calculators, solving problems in math, and developing computer skills.
Massachusetts Online Network for Education (MassONE): MassONE is a set of web-based tools for communication, collaboration, and curriculum planning, which are designed to support PreK-12 standards-based teaching and learning in Massachusetts.
NARA: The US National Archives website includes sections like Research Room, Exhibit Hall, Digital Classroom & more.
Research Buzz!: News listings, newsletters and articles on search engines can be found here.
Scholastic: Scholastic, a leader in literacy education, has dedicated a portion of its site to addressing technology in the classroom. By implementing wireless lessons, setting up classroom computer systems, and integrating cameras into your lesson plans, you can use the Scholastic website to help you get organized and on your way to innovation.
SMARTer Kids Foundation: The SMARTer Kids Foundation is a private organization that provides opportunities for students and teachers to learn new skills and grow in self-confidence by placing technology, grants and programs at their service.
Teaching with Electronic Technology: This University of Maryland sub-site provides a large list of links to articles and sites on teaching with technology.
TCO: This site promotes the use of telecommunications to improve K-12 learning and provides a tool to help school leaders assess the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of their technology investments.
tech-LEARNING: This site is produced by Technology & Learning Magazine, with contributions from hundreds of K-12 teachers, administrators & other experts in the field.
TechMatrix: TechMatrix is an online tool for finding assistive and learning technology products for students with special needs.
Technology Solutions for Schools: Technology Solutions for Schools helps both primary and secondary schools implement technology in their curriculums. Programs include standards-based and creative projects for all ages.
TERC: Founded in 1965, TERC advocates the promotion of an innovative inquiry-based approach to learning through the use of technology. The objective through the application of technology is to include more students in learning in a more meaningful way.
Texas Instuments: This site is designed to help you navigate through teaching and applying the use of technological equipment. It also provides online professional development and conferences to promote technological proficiency.
Think.com: Think.com is a free service provided by Oracle Corp., designed for ages 7-14. It's a development tool that introduces new ways of student-teacher communication and teacher organization.
TIES-Connecting Education and Technology: TIES includes online learning, professional development, and details on how to get your classroom connected to the Internet.
Tools for the Teks: This website is maintained for educators interested in the effective use of technology in the classroom. Although somewhat a self-celebratory webpage of an entrepreneur’s endeavors, there is a fair amount of information to be gleaned from the articles within.
WikiScanner: In the age of Wikipedia-based citations, WikiScanner has emerged as new tool to help verify (or discredit) Wikipedia entries. It was developed to trace information accuracy and can be used by students and educators alike.
Zoey's Room: Zoey's Room is a national interactive technology club for girls between the ages of 10 – 14. The site features interactive math, science and engineering online challenges.