Online Resources

What are online resources?

Online resources are Internet-based equivalents of more conventional curriculum resources: books, articles, pictures, movies, games, activities, and homework. The key difference is that online resources are digital and available over the Internet. Formats include web documents, audio files, images, videos, animations, word processing documents and others.

Instructional use of online resources

Online resources are increasingly being used in education. Here has an example of an online resource: an interactive weather simulator.

Criteria of high-quality online resources

Consider using some of the following criteria for evaluating an online resource.

• This resource is accurate.
• This resource encourages active participation of the learner.
• This resource includes all the information needed to use it.
• This resource flows in an orderly manner.
• This resource is age appropriate.
• This resource is free of advertising.
• This resource correlates with the core.

Quality Criteria References

The websites listed below provide more references on quality criteria.

• Kathy Schrock's Evaluation: Kathy Schrock has designed a series of evaluation surveys, one each at the elementary, middle, and secondary school levels to help you get started with this process. With time, you can work with your students on critiquing different resources.
• Widener University Wolfgram Memorial Library: Evaluate Web Pages: Includes criteria for news, informational, advocacy and other types of web pages, including examples of each type.