National Learning Network Resources

The National Learning Network have made available a host of learning resources. These were funded by the LSC and are available free to all authorised organisations in the post-16 sector.
They describe the resources as "small, flexible 'bite-sized' episodes of learning". Designed to be fun, the activities can be attempted over and over again and cover many different topic areas (including core skills, mainstream school subjects and vocational areas). These are definitely worth looking at if you want online activities for your students to increase their knowledge and to check their understanding.

WebQuests

A WebQuest is an Internet based lesson & activity tool. These can be set up to encourage the user to engage with resources and information mainly from the internet and to use these to complete a set task.

A very basic example from my teaching can be found here. This was created originally in Word then converted using Course Genie to the web page format.

You can also look at the UKWebQuest site for more information.

Attract students to get their attention

Speaking from personal experience, when I look at any website I have 3 thoughts in my the back of my mind

Do I need this information?
Can I see what I need to find easily?
Is it interesting?

It is important if we want students to use our website/online resources that they are clearly laid out / structured and also that there is something that encourages students to return soon. This may be amusing facts or regular updates/notices.

I was thinking of adding i-am-bored.com here as an entertaining site but then I reflected that as well as getting people onto the Internet some sites can distract too much! There is so much on this site the user can get distracted from the educational use of the internet.

Perhaps something like a thought for the day like the anecdote on this blog would be better. Alternatively using online polls/surveys where users get instant feedback might draw their attention.

Education, Fun and Blogging

I have spent sime time today looking at other people's blogs. What a wealth of information there is available to us just from these! I have found an etch-a-sketch website which reminded me of my youth and a site offering to teach me mandarin.

I have also found the first Chinese 3D Virtual Tourism Site - Virtual Forbidden Palace, and a game to test my skill as a supermarket manager.

There is so much more out there so why not try searching google for topics of interest. But make sure you have some spare time before you start!