Top Ten Teacher Sites
List Prepared by Laurie Fowler, Technology in Motion Trainer

1.    Alabama Virtual Library--http://www.avl.lib.al.us

This site is available only to Alabama citizens, but they may access it in two ways:  1.  From a school campus (kindergarten through college) or public library in the state or 2. From home with an AVL card.  The AVL gives access to an array of databases for research including EBSCOHost and Gale Resources plus online dictionaries, encyclopedias, and almanacs.  Many schools use this site for their research projects.  The databases available are divided into Elementary, Middle, and High School as well as College and General Public categories.

2.    ALEX—The Alabama Learning Exchange— http://alex.state.al.us/

This site provided by the Alabama State Department of Education has links to ALL courses of study for grades K-12.  Teachers can also search for lesson plan ideas and web resources that are aligned to the Alabama state standards.  By registering for free, teachers can access online work space to design lesson plans to share with other teachers from around the state. 

3.    Google--http://www.google.com

This site is, in my opinion, the best search engine on the Internet.  It almost always locates the information I am looking for and I can usually find it in the first 10 hits that it returns.  I also love the Google Image Search option.  I use it in my computer classes to show teachers how to download images from the Internet.

4.         4teachers--http://www.4teachers.org

This site has many great technology tools for teachers available for free.  The tools available include: RubiStar--rubric maker, CasaNotes--note maker, ThinkTank--research guide, QuizStar--online quiz maker, TrackStar--hotlist maker, and Web Worksheet--web page maker.  There are also sections on integrating technology and project based learning.

5.    WebQuest Page at San Diego State University--http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquest.html

This site introduced me to my favorite type of web activity--a WebQuest.  A webquest is an online adventure where students are given a task, assigned a role or job, given specific directions on what to find on the Internet, and asked to synthesize that information into a tangible product.  This type of activity addresses all of the NETS Standards for Students.  This site explains what a webquest is, how to find them, and how to make your own.  It also includes a very comprehensive matrix of examples in all subject areas for all grade levels.  There is even a practice webquest for teachers to do.  Also check out the NEW WebQuest Portal found at http://webquest.org.

6.    America's Library--http://www.americaslibrary.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi

This site from the Library of Congress makes learning exciting for K-12 students.  It is focused on the younger student, but the information is good for all ages.  There are sections about amazing Americans, timelines, the 50 states, sports, and entertainment.  The features on the home page are updated frequently.

7.   Microsoft in Education—http://www.microsoft.com/education/

This site has great INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES that use Microsoft Office Products.  Check out the Tutorials, How-To Ideas and Lesson Plans links from the menu. This site lets you choose a program, age group, and topic and will find a technology lesson that meets your needs.  Also see the Design Gallery Live at http://dgl.microsoft.com for FREE online clip art and template downloads.

8.    Teach-nology--http://www.teach-nology.com

This site has lots of great features for K-12 teachers to use.  It has a wonderful online rubric generator that allows teachers to personalize a rubric for their class or use one that is already made.  It also offers great themes throughout the year, but these activities are focuesed mostly on younger students.  It also has a great technology tutorial area that not only explains how to use an application, but why that application is helpful to teachers.  The only drawback to this site is that is has many ads.

9.     BrainPOP--http://www.brainpop.com

This site has short movies on many science, health, technology, and math topics.  Its content is based on the 5th-8th grade national standards in those subject areas, but I think these movies cover topics that are interesting and appropriate for a much broader range of grade levels.  Each movie lasts about 2 minutes and has a quiz that follows.  The only limitation is that teachers can view 2 free movies a day per computer.  There is a fee-based subscription service that allows you to have unlimited access to all the movies.

10.      Backflip--http://www.backflip.com

This site allows teachers to save all of their bookmarks or favorites to a FREE online site.  I find this site is very useful to teachers that use their home computer to plan lesssons.  They can "backflip" all the sites they find at home and then have access to them at school on any Internet computer.  This site also allows them to create organized folders for specific lessons or units.  Teachers can also share folders with others.

 

Last updated on August 4, 2003

World graphic from Awesome Clip Art for Kids
Internet sign graphic from Teacher Files Clip Art